Broadstreet 19 pts Luctonians 22 AN injury-time try from debutant South African centre Leon Mells was enough for Luctonians to steal victory.

The win helps the Kingsland club to maintain their position at the top of Midlands 1 league table.

Penalties and indiscipline reigned throughout the match as Luctonians did their best to counter the physical tactics of the home side's forwards.

The Mortimer Park men got off to the best possible start when another debutant, winger Bruce Thomas, son of club stalwart Dave Thomas, landed the first of his five penalties in the third minute.

He doubled his points tally six minutes later with another penalty for the visitors shortly before Broadstreet took the lead with a try from back-rower Simon Morris, who crossed out wide allowing home outside-half Danny Richards to convert.

But the Herefordshire side hit back, and after indiscipline from the home forwards at the breakdown in the 19th minute, Thomas was on target again with his third penalty to haul the visitors in front at 9-7.

The game swung Broadstreet's way and following some sustained forward pressure, Luctonians number eight Paul Hulland was found guilty of killing the ball and yellow-carded.

Richards slotted the resulting penalty for a 10-9 lead for Broadstreet.

Hulland returned, but his place in the sin-bin was soon occupied by Luctonians skipper Chris Jaques who was judged to have handled the ball in the ruck.

Richards stepped up and struck the penalty although Luctonians did peg their way back to 13-12 at half time, courtesy of another Thomas penalty following more illegal play at the breakdown from the home side.

The second half started with Thomas trading penalties with Richards before a try-scoring chance went begging for the visiting side.

Outside-half Brett Prior was bundled into the corner before he could touch down and they were made to pay for their indiscipline at the ruck yet again when Richards landed his fourth penalty.

Luctonians made several changes and began to play with renewed vigour. A missed lineout deep in Broadstreet territory following a kick to touch proved frustrating but increased pressure told on the hosts when second row Ed Simkiss was sent to cool his heels in the bin for persistent offending.

The numerical advantage was beginning to tell for the visitors and, after some strong pick-and-dive plays, Broadstreet hooker Carl Southwell joined his team-mate in the sin-bin.

Luctonians took it to their opponents in a tense finish and, after recycling the ball several times, Mells crashed over near the posts to give Thomas an easy conversion and seal a narrow win for the visitors.