LUCTONIANS’ operations director Alex Smith says that 2023 ‘promises to be another cracker’.

In his New Year’s message Smith looked back at a successful year at Mortimer Park.

He said: “The history books will judge 2022 as another fairly decent one for the men and women of Mortimer Park, as Luctonians completed the post-pandemic return in good health.

At National League level, the 1st XV managed a top half finish to the 2021/22 campaign. After a slow start to the season, nine wins in the New Year followed and this helped the club secure one of its best ever finishes.

“The good form has been continued into the current season, as the Kingsland men, sit sixth at Christmas, still very much within touching distance of the top three in the newly formed National League 2 West division.

“In other senior rugby the 2nd and 3rd XVs put in great shifts in the Midlands Reserve Leagues, with the 2nds winning Division 1 and the 3rds finishing 2nd in Division 2. Both were then allowed to join the main RFU league pyramid for the 2022/23 season playing local 1st teams, and the 2nds currently sit unbeaten at the top of Counties 1 Midlands West North, with 12 wins out of 12 to their name.

“Whilst Lucs 4th XV not only made a re-emergence this year but has become a regular social side, playing on a monthly basis.

“The club’s renowned youth section continued to fire, with the Colts and U16s winning their respective North Midlands Cup competitions, whilst the U18s marched to the last eight of the National Cup.

“Women’s full-contact rugby also returned to the club at the start of 2022/23, as Luctonians Vixens have been playing regularly in the Allianz Inner Warrior Series, recording a win in their first ever fixture and establishing themselves as a side that can provide women’s rugby to the community of North Herefordshire and beyond.

“With record numbers of boys and girls in the mini and junior sections, and continued success on the fields for the senior sides, 2022 has been great and 2023 promises to be another cracker.

“On behalf of the club we wish all those associated to Luctonians and those across the local community a wonderful Christmas and prosperous New Year.”