Lucs ride luck to snatch win as kicking is off key

■By JACK TOZER

Cinderford………13pts

Luctonians……..15pts

LUCTONIANS narrowly beat Cinderford in their first-ever league encounter with both sides battling for the win from first whistle to last.

Tries from captain Ben Link and Caleb Montgomery helped the visitors to victory despite a late surge of pressure and a try from Cinderford’s Nathan Taylor.

However, missed conversion attempts by the home side was ultimately difference in a game of extremely fine margins.

The away side’s initial pressure was soon turned into points as a strong driving maul barged over the Cinderford line in the opening 10 minutes.

Captain Ben Link appeared from the pile of bodies with ball in hand but Jamin Hodgkins was unable to convert.

Cinderford clawed their way back into the game after a few phases of attacking excitement which allowed outside-half Luke McMahon to convert a well-earned penalty.

Luctonians’ patience was rewarded as Hodgkins slotted a simple penalty from the Cinderford 22-metre line. Despite a slightly slow start, the home side’s luck changed for the better just before the 25-minute mark.

Luctonians second rower Conor Geraghty was sent to the bin after illegally disrupting a promising Cinderford attack at the ruck.

Even with the man advantage, frustrations grew among the home fans as the half-hour passed as Cinderford’s attack lacked enough pace to pierce through the 14-man Luctonians defence.

The home side did score their first try just before the reintroduction of Geraghty with outside-half McMahon looping around the back of the attacking line to finish off an impressive phase in the left corner.

With McMahon unable to convert his own score, the teams were locked together at 8-8 at the break. The away side were able to take the lead once more in the second half as blindside flanker Caleb Montgomery breached the Cinderford defensive line to score under the posts.

With the kick easily slotted home, the sides were separated by seven points heading into the final quarter.

Another strong driving maul saw Nathan Taylor power over the Luctonians line with 13 minutes left to play. However, just like his first, McMahon’s kick attempt was unsuccessful which was the ultimate difference as the final whistle blew.

After the game forwards coach George Thomas said: “It was a very tough and physical game, but our phase attack caused difficulty and our defensive edged it slightly when we were under pressure.”