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HEREFORD  5 - 32  LUCTONIANS

Wyeside, Saturday 16 April 2005

North Midlands Cup Quarter-Final
 
Luctonians coasted to a 32-5 win over local rivals Hereford in front of a capacity crowd at Wyeside to book their place in the semi-final of the North Mids Cup. They will now visit Malvern in the semi, with Whitchurch waiting to face the winners in the final. The Hereford-Lucs derby clash had all the ingredients for a white knuckle ride but in reality Luctonians, who play their league rugby two levels higher, had too much guile and experience for a dogged Hereford side.

Lucs opened their account in the fifth minute when flanker Ben Moss charged down a clearing kick from Hereford possession and regathered for the touch down. A sweetly-struck conversion from full back Jeremy Wheadon saw Lucs take an early lead but within minutes Lucs prop Antony Marfell was yellow carded and, during his absence, Hereford enjoyed their best period of play, encamped in Lucs’ territory and with more than a share of the ball. They failed to reduce the deficit though, missing two eminently kickable penalties, and Lucs rode the storm. Hereford were not to be denied though, and in the 20th minute their pack drove for the corner and when halted recycled the ball left. Full back Richard Mayson joined the line and, with the Lucs’ defence strangely absent, crossed halfway out. The conversion was missed but Hereford were back in the game.

But Wheadon increased the visitors’ lead with a penalty and Lucs should have added a try when right wing Andy Garrod was put away only to see his inside pass put down with the line beckoning. Lucs did register a second try though, in the 33rd minute, with a movement of pace and precision. From forward possession scrum half Steve Saint switched the ball inside for blind side wing Mark Panniers to hit at speed. His momentum took him through to the posts where centre Richard Henwood was on hand for the scoring pass. Wheadon added the extra points and before half time was involved again, making a try-saving tackle that allowed Lucs to turn around at the break with a 17-5 advantage.

The Lucs pack was starting to pose problems with their rolling mauls and another trundle up field saw flanker Mark Burdon erupt from the blind side to dive over at the corner. The touch line conversion was missed but Wheadon quickly made amends with a second penalty. Lucs should have added a fourth try when centre Effron Heather sliced through but again poor finishing saw Hereford hold out.

Lucs lost a forward for a second time when Burdon was yellow carded but this time Hereford were unable to press home any advantage. Lucs final try came when lock Troy Looms lived up to his name and materialised in midfield to intercept a wayward pass. His run to the line was simplified by the absence of a midfield defence as during the final minutes two Hereford three-quarters had been red carded.

This was a disappointing ending for Hereford as despite the intense rivalry the dismissals did not accurately reflect the spirit in which the game had been played. A final conversion provided Lucs with what was ultimately a comfortable win but they had been obliged to knuckle down and work for the victory.