Photo – Dan Powell scoring his try. Photographer Andrew Hargraves
Luctonians RFC vs Exeter University RFC
Saturday 5th April 2025 – Mortimer Park
Match Report by Geoff Vickress
Luctonians, on a warm spring day, put an energetic Exeter University side to bed with some ease.
The home side, on a beautiful afternoon at Mortimer Park, looked up for it against an Exeter Uni side who had done us no favours on our trip to theirs a few weeks earlier.
They led early, through the energetic Caleb Montgomery who went over from a driving maul (7-0), and he doubled his tally when he touched down again, only minutes later, at the back of an attacking scrum. Owen Randell who kicked magnificently converted both to lead 14-0.
Exeter reduced the score to 14-5 when Cunningham capitalised on a scrappy defence from the home side, with Shortland converting (14-7).
Rob Aikman weaved his way over, when adding to the home side’s lead on the half hour, Randell again adding the extras (21-7), before Exeter’s Golden-Clark scrambled over following a Lucs’ fumble, to keep them in the contest at 21-12.
With the home side now playing flowing rugby, a beautiful dink kick from Tom Jones put George Bennett free, and he beautifully side-stepped his way over for a 28-17 score; Randell again converting.
Exeter, however, was defiant and played some flowing rugby of their own but were fortunate when an obvious knock-on from their full back, Usher, saw him collect his own error and run through almost unopposed, as everyone waited for the whistle; converted again by Shortland (28-19).
But Lucs, from the restart, had Exeter on the back foot and club stalwart, prop Dan Powell, took advantage of a gap in their defence to run through from some 10 metres out; some said it was 70, bang on the half time whistle, for a home side lead 35-19 and the bonus point secured.
Half Time Score
Luctonians RFC 35 – 19 Exeter University RFC
Hot tea with plenty of sugar consumed at half time and the home side were soon back into the scoring when wing Joe Hughes controlled a bouncing ball in the in-goal area to add to their tally; Randell again immaculate with the boot (42-19). And, when the marauding Owien Harriott-Davis, who also had a fine game all round, scored soon after, the game was over as a contest at 47-19; Randell, on this occasion, missing for the only time.
However, Man of the Match, second row Harry Whiteman deservedly touched down from another driving maul soon after, with Tom Jones converting (59-26).
Dowse gave Exeter consolation points with their 5th try late on, Shortland converting, but the last points went the way of the home side again when Will Pearson, who also had a fine game, dotted down, Jones again converting for a final score of 61-26.
Full Time Score
Luctonians RFC 61 – 26 Exeter University RFC
Both sides have little to play for before seasons end with Luctonians away next week at Old Redcliffians, who they have never beaten at their place, so opportunity knocks, before hosting Hinckley, after the Easter break, for their season finale, with Exeter University having a game next week at home to top four Cinderford.
Luctonians Man of the Match – Harry Whiteman
