Newport 8 pts Luctonians 37

NORTH Midlands Cup holders Luctonians started their defence of the trophy with a potentially tricky match against Midlands 2 West opponents from Shropshire but came away with a convincing win.

Playing down the slope in the first half, Luctonians opened the scoring within two minutes with a penalty from Jeremy Wheadon after probing runs by both Ricki Helagi and Steve Jaques.

The lead was short lived, however, as Newport kicked a penalty into the corner, won the lineout and their pack forced their way over for an unconverted try.

For the next 15 minutes the visitors were under considerable pressure from a highly motivated home side and some strange refereeing decisions.

But on 26 minutes the home side were caught offside and Wheadon kicked the penalty.

Luctonians then began to control the game and increased their lead after 35 minutes when Helagi made a good break and, although the ball went loose, winger Mark Panniers picked up and scored halfway out, Wheadon adding the extra points.

Just before half-time prop Anthony Marfell was yellow carded and from the penalty the home side reduced arrears to 13-8.

Newport lost a centre to the sin bin on 50 minutes and Wheadon slotted over his third penalty.

On the hour Chris Jaques won a lineout and a crisp passing movement along the backs saw winger Andy Garrod go over in the corner and Wheadon add the conversion.

Straight from the restart number eight Ramsey Dean gathered the ball and made 40 metres upfield before passing to wing-forward Nick Hamer to touch down under the posts. Wheadon again kicked the conversion.

Newport were shell-shocked and four minutes later a smart break by scrum-half Brett Prior put Garrod clear and he ran 50 metres to score in the corner. Wheadon was again successful with the conversion.

Luctonians then had prop Kiki Stowers sin-binned for a high tackle and lost Chris Jaques with a facial injury.

The home side pressed for the last five minutes and had a try disallowed, but the Luctonians defence held firm for a 29-point victory.

l Luctonians are back in Midlands 1 action on Saturday when they travel to Bromsgrove, the bottom of the table club who have yet to collect a league point after 15 straight defeats.