Ledbury U14s travelled to Luctonians RFC for this much anticipated encounter last Sunday on a glorious autumnal day.

LUCTONIANS U14S 26pts, LEDBURY U14S 30pts

Starting off down the slope, a superb floating drop-kick allowed the ever-professional skipper and number eight, Charlie Smith, to chase down the ball and catch his opposite number in possession, forcing a knock-on.

This was one of Ledbury's numerous opportunities to demonstrate their power in the pack, pushing their opponents off the ball with consummate ease. Tom Morris at scrum-half spun the ball well, feeding his back line on the Luctonians 22. Advancing off-side, Ledbury went 0-3 up thanks to the boot of Aaron Almond.

Ledbury gained possession from the restart, Andy Nash making big gains back into the host's half. Excellent rucking and mauling from Ben Fearnley and Jamie Wileman released quick-ball for George Webster to score in the corner.

The following five minutes saw an exchange of midfield play, with excellent tackling from Harri Williams, coming into the line from full-back. However Lucs caught Ledbury backs napping after a free-kick and broke away for one of their three opportunist tries, to recover to 7-8, and shortly after repeat the process to gain a 12-8 advantage.

This stirred Ledbury and again a cumulative forwards' effort laid siege to the Lucs line. Dan Knight capitalised on a defensive error to crash over for 12-13.

Just prior to half-time, Andy Nash broke free on the halfway line to run in a superb 50m dash for a deserved 12-18 lead.

Ledbury maintained their momentum in the second-half with monumental forward displays from Ashley Jones, Charlie Sole, Jamie Ford and the ever-improving Steve Humphreys, winning ball against the head on numerous occasions.

A handling infringement by Lucs on their own 22 was punished with a quick tap and go, Nial Ashley the benefactor for Ledbury. A lapse of concentration again by Ledbury allowed a quick response from the hosts; a solo effort getting in under the posts for 19-25.

Riled by this, Charlie Smith led his troops from the front, setting up Webster for his second after quick hands from Dan Allam and Rob Houlbrooke, for 19-30.

A missed tackle in the closing minutes allowed a last gasp response from Lucs to hear the final whistle go at 26-30.

On Sunday, Ledbury play Malvern away, meet Ross Road 9.30am.