LUCTONIANS lost on the road again last weekend in National League 2 West, in Weston-Super-Mare, going down 28-36 at Hornets.
In a much-improved performance from the black and whites to their last showing, they will probably consider themselves a little unlucky on this occasion in defeat, as three of the home side’s scores came directly from errors or bits of luck.
Hornets went into an early lead, as fullback Charlie Carter went over for a fortuitous score. After Lucs defence marched the Hornets back through 12 phases of attack, the ball was kicked through, ricocheted off several legs, before popping up for Carter to go over. He converted his own score for 7-0 after three minutes.
The visitors dominated territory and possession for the next 20 minutes and were eventually rewarded as the driving maul went over, with veteran flanker Seb Robinson, claiming the score. Owen Randell knocked over the conversion to level the match.
Hornets would re-take the lead with slick play from their backs, as winger Josh Sheppard went over on the right-hand side, with Carter adding another excellent touchline conversion on 31 minutes.
The hosts extended their lead two minutes later, as centre Adam Francis intercepted a stray pass from Luctonians fly half Tom Jones to canter over from 35 metres and take a 19-7 lead.
Lucs would have the final say of the half, as Robinson forced his way over for his second following powerful play from the visiting forward pack, with Randell converting for 19-14 at the break.
And the Herefordshire men would continue their momentum, in the early stages of the second period, as Caleb Montgomery dotted down another powerful driving maul, with Randell once more successful from the conversion resulting in Lucs leading for the first time.
But a failure to take the ensuing kick-off and then a yellow card for a tip tackle from Number 8 Jack Goodwin, proved crucial.
Hornets were gifted the field position and numerical advantage and took little time in making it count with fly half Luke Mcmullan finding space from a five-metre scrum to retake the lead.
Carter’s near immaculate boot ensured it was a 26-21 lead with 55 minutes gone.
Lucs looked to have seen out the rest of the period with no damage, until a quick lineout resulted in Hornets gaining the ball back to attack against the 14 men again and they secured a penalty for offside, which Carter duly converted for a 29-21 lead.
Winger Charlie Grimes scored an excellent team try on 69 minutes and with Randell converting Lucs were back within a point.
However, with the game in the balance replacement Jack Park had a clearing kick charged down and replacement Kieron Crowley scored the match winner for Hornets as Carter made no mistake with the easy conversion on 75 minutes.
Things get no easier for the men from Mortimer Park this weekend coming as they host top side Camborne in Kingsland.
