LUCTONIANS made it three wins on the spin in National 2 West to consolidate their sixth placed position in the division, as they beat their local rivals Stourbridge 10-17.

The league’s bottom side Stourbridge came into the derby fixture on the back of a 14-game run of losses.

However, being lifted by the occasion the hosts started the better playing into the strong breeze and could have gone ahead early. However, Lucs stiffened their defence when play moved closer to their line. 

Ryan Watkins’ side did, however, start to gain territory and from a five-metre lineout used their effective driving maul for Connor Deignan to bury over, with fly-half Louis Silver adding the extras for 0-7.

Accomplished kicker Silver would soon leave the field injured after an unpunished late tackle. His absence certainly effected the men from Mortimer Park, as they struggled to get their attacking game flowing without the regular first teamer in their ranks.

However, Luctonians managed to double the lead after some concerted possession down in Stourbridge’s 22 saw the hosts having two men sent to the sin-bin for repeated cynical play.

Lucs managed to find space against the 13 men, for Josh Watkins to go over, with replacement Lewis Parkes adding the extras.

The repeated mistakes in the visitors’ game would continue in the second period and this left the relegation threatened hosts in the contest.

With a wind behind them Stourbridge began to believe an upset could be on the cards, particularly when Oliver Gittoes went over on 54 minutes for 5-14.

That hope became real belief with 10 minutes remaining as Gittoes went over for his second unconverted score, this time dotting down from a cross-field kick, to make it a one-score game at 10-14.

Smarted into action, the visitors finally found some form and sustained a spell of pressure within the Stourbridge half, winning a penalty with a minute to go which Parkes duly dispatched.

Lucs held on to complete their fourth win out of five against their North Midlands rival.

Watkins’ side came out victors from a scrappy game which was not one for the neutral. Lucs will look to put in a better display this coming weekend as they host Exeter University.

Both clubs go into the match on the same number of points and a win for either side could see themselves move up to fifth in the league standings.