Sat 7 Dec 2024
As the traveling supporters made their way to their touchline positions it was not clear how this game could possibly be played, as gusts of wind very nearly took our feet from beneath us.
Enormous credit to both teams because we did witness a hard-fought game. It was not a spectacle of open rugby, but it was an example of dogged attacking drives, keeping the ball in hand, and some even more tenacious defensive work.
The elements, of course, played an important role, not just the wind but the extremely slippery conditions underfoot.
We travelled to Kingsland with a glimmer of expectancy that given our current good form, we may be able to end the home sides unbeaten run which they have maintained for the last two and a half seasons.
It wasn’t to be and Luctonians proved their class and forged the 33-7 victory. We struggled at the set scrum today and when you are retreating, the weather conditions prove a big advantage to the attacking side.
Despite the comfortable victory margin for Luctonians, our bunch of lads battled, experimented, tackled and committed the opposition right to the final whistle. My goodness, how they worked for each other.
The wind took control of the proceedings from the start. The Luctonians kick off didn’t travel 10metres. We were penalised at the reset scrum in the middle and the Luctonians kick for touch went backwards, but both sides adapted very quickly and tried to keep ball in hand and taking tap penalties in the main.
It looked promising early on; play was pretty much between the 22metre lines. George Curtis made a break and Ayuk Takang was on hand to support but we got penalised in the breakdown. We do get close on the left, but an exchange of attacks sees the ball go loose and from his own 22 the Luctonians No5 went on an elusive run and puts his mate into open space. Alex Kelly races back and makes a superb tackle but the Luctonians support is on hand, and they score and convert after 10 minutes.
7-0 after 10 mins
Luctonians are back on our line a few minutes later. They create a series of incisive forward drives at our line on the right. The defensive work is excellent, but it succumbs finally and Luctonians have another converted try.
14-0 after 18 mins
With a couple of scores under their belt the Luctonians confidence grows, and they are playing a more expansive game, but their attack is penalised and we get to their 22 metre line. Luke Ireland is forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury having spent his session on the field tackling around the ankles and preventing the progress of some very large front five forwards. Jake Elvidge replaces him.
We don’t get any closer than the 22 on this occasion and Luctonians are back on our line with a series of attacks. Under the slippery conditions, if you get dummied or sidestepped it is difficult to change direction and recover and after 30 minutes Luctonians cross again and convert the try.
The Luctonians No5 is proving a handful and has been the instigator of a number of Luctonians counter attacks.
21-0 after30 minutes
We spend the remainder of the first period in the Luctonians half. It’s not easy though. Our set piece ball is messy going backwards and Sam Miles has to perform some heroics to retain possession. Luctonians line defence gives us little time to create attacks. Bordering offside on occasions.
It’s difficult to make ground. The half comes to a close with the ball in centre field but with our boys trying to create openings.
21-0 at the break.
Luctonians have the fierce wind behind them now. They quickly race into our half with a couple of good runs. A couple of scrums on our 22 now, but whilst we take the ball going backwards the ball goes loose. Luctonians latch onto it and move it left for an unconverted try.
26-0 after 5 minutes into the second period.
What I have failed to mention is that our coach, Dom Owen, had started at No10 making his debut for the club. He didn’t have a pleasant afternoon. I think he took a knock early on but played on. He finally had to succumb early in the second half and another of our coaches Jordan Diston came on for one of his rare appearances these days. We continue to play our game and still showing some grit and determination with an attack on the right. It’s looking encouraging close in, but we get penalised for crossing. Luctonians have the lineout midfield and they attack with good hands. We get relief when a Luctonians winger sees yellow. Our tackling is great, but our opponents make ground with every run despite the aggressive hits from our centre partnership of Alex Kelly and George Curtis.
With Dom off, No8 Elliot Sheepy has moved to No10. We had a breakthrough with a great run from second row Jack Fennel who made good distance but his offload in the tackle unfortunately goes forward. We’re in the Luctonians half now. We have a free kick and Alex makes good ground. We’re on the front foot now with a few drives but it’s not easy to make ground. We are retaining the ball however and forcing the penalties. We’re 10 metres out and Elliot almost makes it on the right. The pressure finally pays off for James Calloway and he crosses, and the extras are added by Jack Buttler.
26-7 after 30 minyes of the second period.
5 minutes later we are attacking with a run from Alex, but the conditions play their part and the ball is loose. Luctonians run it back at us and with a couple of interpasses they cross for their final try and a conversion off the upright.
Final score 33-7
It’s occasions like this when you are proud to be an Old Coventrian. We were up against a talented side, but in defeat we demonstrated our skills grit and teamwork which made our trip to the depths of Herefordshire very worthwhile.
As the saying goes “We’ll have ‘em at our place”, later in the season.
