The game started off with the close encounter that all expected with some good early pressure by Lucs.

A Penalty in front of the posts taken and another not long later faded to the right took the score to Stags 0 - 3 Luctonians

Stags returned from this with some good play, excellent pressure and made the most of some penalty’s to put them deep in the opposite half. A Line out taken instead a potential go at the posts proved to be the right call. Quality line out maul by the stags forwards rampaged over the line scored by Ricky Moran
Converted by Leonard

Stags 7 - 3 Luctonians

Lucs returned with some good possession and clever kicking, turning the stags round and making difficult work to get out of our half. But the stags being the stags persevered, kept the ball well. Then up steps man mountain James Morton he makes a big carry as a Morts does breaks one (literally) does a deft little pirouette, maintaining good balance and trots over from a good 20m. Could’ve tried to get closer to the posts but nm.
Stags 12 - 3 Luctonians #BullyWouldHaveMissedItAswell

Half time

Strong words at half time had the lads ready on the get go but Lucs game started strong with a try from the forwards which was unconverted.
Stags 12 - 8 Luctonians

Both teams showing strong defences for a while, forcing kicks left and right, no one wanting to give and inch until… until the Lucs scrum half goes for a high box kick, which Leonard covers very well and runs onto it with deadly pace. Leonard proceeds down the left wing as if there was a fierce tail wind, but a Lucs winger stands in his path, he continues at the same pace undeterred by this obstacle. Following on the inside was some stags players and Leonard 1m from the line throws the most audacious dummy that has all 29 other players and the ref bambooazled on his own 10m line. We thought that was 5th gear for Leonard but no, it seems he was packing some Nos somewhere and like the flash sped down the wing to touch down in the corner. “Champagne rugby” as Mr Rees used to tell us at school.
Unconverted by Leonard who was struggling for air at this point.
Stags 17 - 8 Luctonians

Following this there’s not too much more to report as stags ill discipline proved to be their Achilles heel, giving away easy field position on two occasions and Lucs coming away with two tries. Stags made a valiant effort to get into the Lucs 22 in the dying moments but were caught and held up by Lucs to finish the game. Many disappointed stags, much to reflect on and some wise words from Marshall to end the day.

Stags 17 - 20 Luctonians

Man of the match goes to man mountain James Morton, big carries, bone crunching tackles and very good try.
Honourable mentioned to Ben Marshall,the long awaited return (again) and showed some incredible hands, good carries, calm head and some brilliantly legal one armed tackles and another Honourable mention to Leonard for that sumptuous try shame he couldn’t kick.

Report by Josh Leonard