LUCS REINFORCE THEIR SECOND POSITION
Cinderford RFC vs Luctonians RFC
Saturday 25th October 2025 – Bell Sport & Rugby Park
Match Report by Geoff Vickress
Lucs made the relatively short journey to The Forest of Dean for this fixture vs Cinderford before the short break in league games this forthcoming weekend. After 8 intensive game weeks, which has now seen the Lucs boys win 7 matches on the bounce, putting them in a strong position of second in the National 2 West, behind the money club of Camborne. For the Black and Whites, the opportunity to recharge batteries before the Christmas run in will be much appreciated.
However, Cinderford were unlikely to roll over and have their belly tickled, always a more than useful outfit, especially upfront with a big pack, although now playing on their all-new 4g pitch they may have changed tactics to a speedier style more suited to conditions underfoot.
The home side started well when, after 11 minutes, their crash ball carriers got them close to the Lucs try-line, and Nathan Taylor punished the Black and Whites by diving through tackles to open the scoring, Sunny Greenham converting in-off the posts to give the home side a 7-0 advantage.
However, Tom Jones was kicking superbly for Lucs once again, and his accuracy throughout the first 40 minutes kept the home side pinned back deep in their own half with some excellent touchline mastery with boot. His kicking from the tee was equally pleasing on the eye as he added a couple of penalties, on 16 minutes, this following an infringement in front of the posts from 25 metres out, and again on the half hour following a high tackle on the marauding Owien Harriott-Davis, to reduce arrears for a 7-6 half time lead to the home side, but not before Chalklin was shown a yellow card for foul play, bang on the whistle for oranges.
Lucs had shown plenty of endeavour throughout the first half, but their usually reliable lineout was found to be wanting and they looked unlikely to get over the whitewash, despite plenty of possession, whereas Cinderford had scored from their only threat earlier in the half. It was to be hoped the half time tea was suitably infused for a more encouraging second half.
Half Time Score
Cinderford RFC 7 – 6 Luctonians RFC
The second half was a more open and entertaining affair, although Lucs were dominant throughout and only allowed Cinderford two opportunities to add to their tally, both from Greenman penalties on 42 and 53 minutes. But he only managed the one score which left them beached with only 10 points for their efforts. However, Lucs were inspired and, led by star man Caleb Montgomery, who the hosts had no real answer to, ran out to win comfortably 10-35.
Scrum half Jonty Monk went over on 47 minutes, Tom Jones converting for a 7-13 lead, before he again kicked a penalty, and Cinderford added their only second half points just before the hour. The obligatory Ben Link try from a driving maul increased the Lucs lead to 10-21, with a missed conversion by Jones.
However, Lucs didn’t wrap the game up until the final 5 minutes, when Caleb Montgomery’s short pick up and dive over put the game beyond the home side. Broady for the home side was shown their second yellow on 78 minutes and, from the resultant penalty and pressure on their try line, the strength of Rhys Roberts, with almost the last play, saw him twist and turn to go over the whitewash, Bryn Goodall converting both.
Full Time Score
Cinderford RFC 10 – 35 Luctonians RFC
Lucs were more assertive second half, and will go into the pre-Christmas round of games full of confidence as they next entertain Hinckley on Nov 8th at home, followed closely by Chester again at Mortimer Park, but later down south again to Redruth. Anyone fancy a holiday in the South West before Christmas?
Luctonians Man of the Match
Caleb Montgomery
You can view video of the Lucs try highlights here.
Picture Credit – Kairos Sports Photography for Cinderford RFC
