Luctonians 7 pts Longton 6

LUCTONIANS inflicted the first league defeat of the season on Powergen Midlands 1 leaders Longton in a classic game at Mortimer Park.

The Stoke-on-Trent visitors' 15-match winning run was ended by the narrowest of margins in a top battle which left Luctonians only four points adrift of the leaders with a game in hand.

The victory avenged a 10-0 defeat at the start of the season and it was another close game which this time deservedly went Luctonians' way.

A well-drilled Longton side boast the best defensive record in the division and their fast, hard-tackling game was matched by Luctonians in a frantic finish.

Luctonians led 7-0 at half-time after playing with a strong wind advantage. Longton quickly pulled back a penalty in the second half and added another in the closing stages when the home line came under siege. Then superb defensive work saw Luctonians, now down to 14 men with Gareth Miles yellow carded, through to a vital win.

Longton's powerful forwards were matched by Luctonians, whose willingness to spread the ball and set up attacks gave them the edge to pip the top team.

The home team could have taken the lead in the first 13 minutes but full-back Sam Bowen uncharacteristically miss-ed two penalties.

Bowen, a convert from soccer, kept his nerve, however, to later land a crucial touchline conversion to the try later in the half.

Jeremy Wheadon took the next shot at a penalty but his long-range effort just drifted wide and then Longton had a chance from in front of the posts but ace kicker Tony Wheat inexplicably missed.

Longton lock Jan Venter was yellow carded in the 38th minute and while he was off the field Luctonians scored when they won a lineout and the ball was threaded through the backs to fly-half Wheadon whose vision set up the try. His long, accurate pass found James Owen on the right wing and, despite the attentions of two defenders, he finished strongly in the corner.

Wheat quickly put Longton back in the picture with a penalty to set up a battling second half. Luctonians, although under pressure, went closest to scoring with winger Andy Garrod and centre Jon Goodwin making dangerous runs but the referee ruled a forward pass after hooker Miles crashed over in the corner.

The home team looked in trouble when Miles was sin-binned for retaliation and Wheat calmly stroked a penalty to close the gap to one point. But the leaders could manage no more in a well-contested struggle between the division's top clubs.