Anxious moments before Luctonians enter play-offs
1:32pm Friday 25th April 2008
Kenilworth 25 pts Luctonians 25 LUCTONIANS face a do-or-die play-off clash at Huddersfield for promotion to the national leagues this weekend after scraping to a draw with Kenilworth in their final Midlands 1 outing of the season.
The visitors started brightly and got first points through the boot of scrum-half Chris James, who kicked a penalty after two minutes, although this was cancelled out just minutes later with a penalty from Kenilworth outside-half Chris Brown, following a Luctonians indiscretion.
The Coventry-based side got on top shortly afterwards when the home fullback raced over in the corner for an unconverted score.
Luctonians responded when, after some strong pick and drives from the visiting forwards, hooker Nick Byron burst over for an unconverted score to level the scores at 8-8.
The home side surged back and retook the lead 11-8 at the break following a penalty from a Luctonians infringement.
But the visitors hit the ground running following the restarted with two quick tries.
The first came from full-back Andy Garrod after a cleanly-executed back-movement, and even though Luctonians could not convert they increased their lead with another score from centre Cameron Hewitt after he cut back inside to dart under the posts.
James converted for a 20-11 lead.
But Kenilworth were not finished and got themselves right back into the game when the home winger scooted over in the corner. With the touchline conversion on target they were in touching distance at 20-18.
But the Herefordshire team regrouped and got another unconverted score through second row Darren Brick when he crashed over from an unstoppable rolling maul.
The home side, spurred on by the threat of relegation, fought back and pinned the visitors on their line.
It looked as if Luctonians had got away with the two points but were stung when a clearance kick was charged down for a Kenilworth player to seize upon.
A successful conversion levelled the scores at 25-25 for both teams to share the points.
o HEREFORD Rugby Club Seconds are on target to retain the Luctonians Floodlit Cup after reaching the final with an easy 51-0 win against Harper Adams College in the semi-final.
Simon Sabel (3), Pete Thomas (2), John Barrell, Nick Harrison, Rhys Davies and Giles Scott scored the nine tries. Dean Powell (2) and Thomas added the conversions to pass the half-century mark.
Scores: Hereford 2nd 21 pts (Tries: Nick Harrison, Nathan Thomas, Ryan Ellis; Pens: Simeon Mifflin, Richard Rees) Luctonians 2nd 3.