LUCTONIANS clinched two bonus points despite being down to 14 men for the last half hour in a 32-26 home defeat against Wharfedale.

The Yorkshire visitors controlled the first half and were ahead early from the reliable boot of Tom Davidson when he knocked over an early penalty.

Rian Hamilton capitalised on Luc’s loose play to run the first of his three tries after 16mins, again converted by Davidson, and when he scored his second, again from another Luc’s handling error on the half hour, they led by 17 points.

The home side had their chances and twice when camped on Dales try line but they failed to convert any points.

Davidson notched another penalty to increase their lead before the home side endeavours eventually paid off and Connor Deignan scrambled through on the half-time whistle end the half 5-20,

The excellent Hamilton scored a fine individual try for Dale cutting in from his wing to evade Luc’s defence after 46 minutes, again converting.

However, a yellow card for Burridge (Dale) and the red card for Frank Kelly of Lucs for foul play on 48 minutes galvanised Luctonians and their young side dug deep to claw their way back into the game and secure a losing bonus point and try bonus. Aiden Cheshire rumbled over on 51mins, Tom Jones adding the extras before Jones himself finished an excellent move for the home side late in the game to keep the game alive, converting his own try, at 19-27.

Oliver Cicognini notched a late score for Dale to put the result beyond doubt before James Wheeler ran through late on for the home side to bring the scores back to 26-32 but Luctonians couldn't find the final try to win the tie.