LUCTONIANS impressed their home supporters at Mortimer Park by running over seven tries during a resurgent 45-17 home victory over Barnstaple.

There could have been even tries as Ryan Watkins’ side were guilty of some poor decision making at times despite seemingly opening up their visitors at will.

 Lucs took no time to warm up and were ahead after only five minutes when Josh Watkins dotted down after wriggling through the Staples’ defensive line.

Jacob Murphy added a penalty in reply for the away size before James Wheeler weaved his way over for Luctonians’ second, Louis Silver converting to give the home side a 12-3 lead.

Rob Aikman then ran through the Barnstaple defence for the third try of the game, beating several defenders before touching down.

Ever alert Aiden Cheshire also joined the scoring stepping off a line-out five metres from the whitewash to slip under the defensive line to give the home side a 24-3 lead, Silver having converted at half-time. 

Third-from-bottom Barnstaple were not yet beaten and started the second half with a bang.

Jacob Murphy intercepted a loose Lucs pass on the halfway line to run in unopposed, converting his own try to reduce the deficit to 24-10.

However, the hosts soon replied and hooker Jack Small scored his first Luctonians try when he broke away from a maul on the 20-metre line to slide in, Silver again converting to give his side a 31-10 lead on 50 minutes.

At this stage, the home side were looking likely to run away with the game, as they were playing with confidence and a swagger.

However, undaunted by the pressure Barnstaple kept them honest and having to work hard for control in the match.

The visitors couldn’t prevent the ever-impressive Owien Harriott-Davis who simply barged his way over the whitewash after 55minutes and with Silver converting the hosts led 38-10.

Barnstaple continued to give the Lucs defence a challenging time, eventually reducing arrears through Thomas Clark from close in after spending a lengthy period camped on their hosts try-line. Murply again adding the extras (38-17). 

Lucs however sealed the result points when the nonchalant Louis Silver swivelled off a scrum close in to dot down, converting his own try for 45-17 victory and for his own personal tally of 15 points. 

Head coach Watkins was pleased with the victory, their fifth home win on the spin, but disappointed not to have scored more, where Barnstaple can take some credit for their dogged performance throughout. 

Luctonians are back at home on Saturday when they welcome Loughborough Students - who come into the game two points and one league position below their hosts.