LUCS 47 v 15 OLD REDS
GRIMES SCORES LIKELY TRY OF THE SEASON TO COMPLETE HAT-TRICK
Geoffers pens his first match report of the season as Luctonians run out comfortable winners against visitors, Old Redcliffians.
Luctonians RFC v Old Redcliffians RFC
Saturday 9th September 2023 – Mortimer Park
Match Reporter – Geoff Vickress
Like most of the country, Mortimer Park was bathed in sunshine and temperatures well into the high 20s, and the home crowd was treated to an entertaining game with Luctonians running out comfortable winners against game opponents, Old Redcliffians.
Old Reds were first out of the blocks from the kick off when Lucs were pinged for an infringement; Ashley Groves slotting over for a 0-3 lead. But the home side’s confidence was high, and they were awarded a penalty try after being camped from the restart in Old Reds danger zone. However, the Reds were making life hard for the home side early doors and Harry O’Donnell juggled a loose ball from open play to touch down, with Groves again converting for a 7-10 lead.
That was as good as it got for Reds; the home side took control and hooker Ben Link crashed over following pressure from Lucs forwards, with Louis Silver adding the extras after 15 minutes (14-10). Wing Charlie Grimes then took centre stage with the first of his three tries when Silver’s dink kick allowed him to race onto the bouncing ball to score; Silver himself converting (21-10). And Grimes added to his try tally just before halftime, when Lucs scored an excellent team try, moving the ball fluently across the field to see him dot down in the corner to send the home side in 26-10 points to the good.
Half Time Score
Luctonians RFC 26 v 10 Old Redcliffians RFC
Lucs started the second half with the same momentum they finished the first, with Lewis Parkes riding tackles after being put through by Harry Whiteman’s deft inside pass; Silver again converting to lead 33-10.
The game was then controlled by the home side as they kept Old Reds contained in their own half, without overexerting in the oppressive heat. And it wasn’t until Harry Whiteman was shown a straight red card for alleged foul play for the home side on 67mins that Old Reds added to their tally. Kacy Pike touching down following a line out (33-15).
Lucs however were resilient, despite being down to 14, and played some excellent rugby in the final quarter, with Grimes scoring the try of the day, and probably the try of the week, if not the season, when he collected a pass in his own half and brushed aside and outpaced numerous Old Reds to score for his hat-trick; Tom Jones converting (40-15).
No8 Caleb Montgomery, on his home debut, finished the home side’s scoring, Jones again converting for a 47-15 result to give the home side an excellent start to the season.
Lucs go on their travels now for two weeks with Redruth next Saturday and Bournville the following week.
Full Time Score
Luctonians RFC 47 v 15 Old Redcliffians RFC
Luctonians Scorers
Tries: Penalty (6), Link (14), Grimes (21, 37, 76), Parkes (42), Montgomery (45)
Cons: Silver (15, 22, 43), Jones (77, 81)
Old Redcliffians Scorers
Tries: O’Donnell (8), Pike (72)
Cons: Groves (9)
Pen: Groves (2)
Star Man
Charlie Grimes
Luctonians
Luctonians
Morell; Grimes; Aikman; Parkes; Wheeler; Jones; Silver: Deignan; Link; White ©; Harriott-Davis; Whiteman; Benson; Hackley; Montgomery
Replacements: Roberts; Smith; Robinson; Nott; Davies
Old Redcliffians
Gapper; Rees; Cook; Sprague; Murphy; Groves (cc); Butler: Brabham; Ford; O’Donnell; Fear; Doyle; Fry; Van Keergergen; Thurston (cc)
Replacements: Pike; Rogers; Talbot; Stratton; Hughes