Devonport S………… 21
Luctonians…………..39
BASEMENT side Devonport Services belied their lowly league position by giving early pacesetters Luctonians a thorough examination at the Rectory Field, but never quite had enough to wrangle the full haul of points.
It was somewhat an arm-wrestle of an opening 40 minutes, with both teams keen on securing territory over a desire to throw the ball around, and it made for a tactical battle of wits.
Aiden Taylor wriggled over from close quarters to give the home side an early lead and while Luctonians replied twice before the break – through Jack Goodwin and Caleb Montgomery – there was no daylight on the scoreboard, Luctonians in front through Jamin Hodgkins’ boot.
And it was Hodgkins who came to the fore as the game wore on, the full-back enjoying a fine afternoon from the tee and with the ball in hand.
His contribution of 14 points was enough to nip Services momentum in the bud, and he played a key role in a number of Luctonians tries.
The source of all the scorers, though, was the back-row with open-side James Mear grabbing a brace, alongside a second for Goodwin.
Services Richard West also enjoyed an excellent game – scoring 15 of his side’s points – but his team’s wait continues for a first win of the season.
TEAMS
DEVONPORT SERVICES: Goldstone, Pooley, Davies, Crawford, Gliddon, West, Daley, Bentham, Taylor, McFarlane, Felton, Gregory, Jarvis, Fordham, Stansfield.
Replacements: Thomas, Busfield, Lane, Down, Evans .
LUCTONIANS: Hodgkins, Watkins, Aikman, Parkes, Grimes, Park, Nott, Smith, Link, Whiting, Geraghty, Harriott-Davis, Montgomery, Mear, Goodwin.
Replacements: Blyth, White, Whiteman, Robinson-Hall, Randell.
REFEREE: James Milliner-Woodcock
ATTENDANCE: 205
Star player
Jamin Hodgkins
