No gentle let down as good Lucs lose their calm

By GEOFF VICKRESS

Luctonians…….26

Loughboro S….17

SPIRITED Loughborough Students fought from 26 points down, though lucky Luctonians held out to win despite near-costly indiscipline.

The Lucs were shown three yellows and a red card and were forced to play a third of the game with only 13 men.

Charlie Grimes had opened the scoring as powered over, after early Lucs dominance, before the Christmas cards came early.

Jack Murphy, for the Students, incurred the wrath of the referee and saw yellow for a 12th-minute tip tackle, before Lucs powerhouse Owien Harriot-Davis stretched his long levers over the whitewash minutes later. Sam Haylor was next over, with Owen Randell converting.

But Randell was yellow-carded a minute after the restart, as was Caleb Montgomery -both for high tackles. Despite that, Ben Link dotted down as Randell – just returning – slotted over from the tee.

Loughborough’s Rhyse Hulse ran in a try to reduce the arrears, as Randell fell foul again and was shown yellow and red. Students hit back and Louis Nancekivel’s try gave them hope.

Hulse once more sped for the line, as James Mear’s lunge gave his efforts a penalty try. He too, saw yellow.

Every resource of the hosts was thrown at defending their lead, as they managed to.