LUCTONIANS were rueing missed opportunities as despite scoring four tries the Herefordshire side were beaten 27-24 to Loughborough Students after going down to a 78th minute.

On their artificial pitch, the hosts made the early running and on six minutes scrum half Charlie Bracken rounded off a scything break for the converted opening try.

After riding out more early pressure Luctonians responded with Josh Watkins going over for his fifth of the season on 20 minutes after great interplay from the forwards.

Charlie Grimes scored his first try of the day six minutes later, catching an accurate cross field kick, before dancing round three defenders for a brilliant try. Tom Jones would kick just the second of these conversions for 7-12.

The Students’ response was immediate, and another loose kick allowed a build-up of phases before another incisive break setting up Bracken for his second converted try.

Things quickly got worse for Lucs as centre Henry Hawkins burst through tackles to set up his midfield partner Alex Wainwright for another converted score and 21-12 half-time lead.

 After the break Luctonians exuded more control but the majority of the game was played in the middle of the pitch with defences on top.

It took 26 second half minutes for any score and it once again came from the immaculate boot of Thomas Smith on the Students’ only visit to Lucs’ 22 in the entire half, who punished a breakdown indiscretion to extend the lead to 24-12.

However, Lucs came charging back and grabbed control of the game with Grimes, going over for his second try.

Ben Link then dotted down at the back of the maul five minutes later.

Louis Silver kicked the first conversion but missed the latter and as such the scores were tied heading into the final four minutes.

As Loughborough built an attack around the halfway line, Lucs were adjudged to have made a high tackle and Smith would do what he did all day and knock the penalty over from 48 metres out to steal the win 27-24.