We’re Jamin! Hodgkins puts boot in to rivals

By GEOFF VICKRESS

Luctonians……..39pts Clifton…………….. 15pts

On the rampage: Luctonians No.8 Jack Goodwin charges through the tackles

Power play: John White scores Luctonians’ third try of the game

PICTURES: Gary Learmouth

LUCTONIANS’ first home game of the season saw them put away a useful Clifton side comfortably.

Despite heavy rain before kick-off, the game was played at a good pace throughout.

Lucs opened their account after 11 minutes when Lewis Parkes fed off a line-out ball to dive over, with the immaculate Jamin Hodgkins kicking the first of his 14 points.

Ollie Milliner reduced the arrears after 18 minutes when he kicked a penalty, but it was to be their only points of the first half as Lucs dominated possession.

The penalty count was high for both sides, and it was from infringements in front of the posts that Hodgkins slotted two penalties for the hosts after 32 and 36 minutes to give them a 13-3 lead.

Caleb Montgomery then stole away from a driving maul to give the home side a 20-3 interval lead, with Hodgkins converting.

It wasn’t long into the second half before Jack Goodwin also dived through from a line-out to add to Lucs lead, with the visitors losing Henry Harper to a yellow for foul play in the build-up.

But Clifton kept the home side honest when they replied almost immediately with a well-worked try that saw Alex Kilbane dot down, Milliner adding the extras.

Lucs set-piece, however, was excellent, and from another driving maul Joe White was over the white wash after 56 minutes to secure a try bonus point.

Clifton continued to give the home side a battle despite them losing Mitchell Spencer to a yellow for “slapping” down the ball in an interception after 56 minutes.

It wasn’t until Josh Watkins scored the try of the game following a flowing move across the pitch seven minutes later, with Charlie Grimes and Josh Nott playing a leading role in putting the winger in the corner, with Hodgkins kicking a excellent conversion to lead 39-10.

Luctonians didn’t take the result for granted and they had to grind out the last 15 with Clifton looking to get something out of the match.

The home side lost Caleb Montgomery to a yellow after 68 and Conor Geraghty for foul play followed him after 76.

This allowed Clifton, through Jamel Hamiliton, to round off the day’s scoring with the last play for a consolation try.

Luctonians forwards coach George Thomas said he was “delighted with the performance”.

He added that he felt Lucs “managed the game well throughout, and that the attacking phase play was excellent. Our set-piece was excellent throughout, and the defensive effort when down to 13 late in the game showed our.”