It’s double delight as Lucs finish on a high
THE home support was bouncing with this result, with Luctonians completing a deserved double over second-in-the-league Clifton, in what was a brutal tussle between two of the top four teams.
This result confirms Luc’s position as fourth in the league which is their highest ever finish in the National league structure.
However, it was Clifton who started the brighter, when Ricardo Cano scored after only two minutes, with Blake Boyland converting.
But the hosts – spurred on by Mat Hackley on his 200th appearance for the club in National League rugby, and club captain Joe White – drew level, this time from a successful lineout, where a driving maul found Connor Deignan at the bottom to touch down, Louis Silver converting to level the scores after 24 minutes.
Luc’s full-back Josh Watkins showed a clean pair of heels when he raced onto a clever Silver kick from half-way only a few minutes later, Silver again converting as the home side moved into a 14-7 lead.
Clifton’s lively scrumhalf Blake Boyland then spotted an opening after 34 minutes to race through to score, Cozens adding the extras to level the scoreboard.
But the home side were not to be deterred, and Ben Link ran in the try of the game on half-time, following an excellent interaction between Parkes and Watkins for Luc’s to lead 21-14 at the break, Silver again converting.
But it was Clifton who started the second half with some aplomb, centre Dan Wells dotting down after only a minute’s play to bring the scoreline within two points, with the conversion missed.
And Clifton were looking to race ahead with the game within another couple of minutes, when centre Will Owen showed his pace and power to crash through and score, Cozens again converting for the away side to lead 21-26 after 46 minutes.
But this Luc’s side showed that they are no pushover and they dug deep, with excellent flanker Archie Benson leading by example with some fine carries and a brace of crucial tackles.
Luc’s forwards coach George Thomas added after the game “that the efforts of this young side personifies everything about the club, it was a scrappy performance by both sides, but we dogged it out and got a well-deserved result.”
Link added his second try for the home side