CHESTER 28 – 55 LUCTONIANS

LUCS GET BACK ON THE WINNING TRAIL

Chester RUFC vs Luctonians RFC
Saturday 14th March 2026 – Hare Lane
Match Report by Geoff Vickress

Luctonians got back on the winning trail with this comprehensive defeat of Chester at their Hare Lane ground, running in 9 tries to the home sides 4. An open and exciting game throughout saw Lucs get the better of a determined Chester, despite being behind at half time.

Wing, Charlie Grimes was credited with the first Lucs score when he joined a close-in driving maul, to dot down after only 6 minutes, Owen Randell converting for an early 0-7 advantage. However, Chester were well up for the dual, and they enjoyed plenty of possession in the Lucs half, which was rewarded when scrum half Richard Craven darted through Lucs’ defence to score after 15 minutes. Full-Back Sam Rogers converted to level the score at 7-7.

With the impressive Tom Jones at fly-half controlling affairs with some superb ball kicking from hand, Lucs regained their advantage when his deep kick from a penalty saw another trade mark Lucs driving maul over the white wash. This time Ben Link got the all important final touch, but Randell will be disappointed he didn’t get the conversion, when Lucs failed to find him a kicking-tee until 5 seconds were left on the egg-timer and, having to rush his attempt, missed. But the away side still led 7-12 after 20 minutes.

The home side then started to gain a foothold in the game, increasingly keeping Lucs pinned in their own red zone. Pressure told when, from close in, after numerous penalties Chester scored a try through Morgan Bagshaw. Rogers converted, to lead 14-12, and from the resultant foul play warnings, Joe White for Lucs was shown a yellow card and had to sit out until half time.

Half Time Score
Chester RUFC 14 – 12 Luctonians RFC

Both teams, at this stage looked capable of stealing the match points, and it was the home side who were up and running first into the second half. Craven, again stole through the Lucs defence to score almost immediately after oranges; converted again by Rogers, to lead 21-12.

But there was to be no time off for the scoreboard operators as, only 2 minutes later, Lucs’ Star Man Frank Kelly, burst through the Chester defence, twisting and turning his way close-in, allowing Owen Randell to capitalise and wriggle over. He then converted his own try, to reduce the deficit to two points at a 21-19 score.

Moments later Kelly was away again from the half way line, running direct at the home side defence. His efforts stretched them across the field, allowing Lucs to move the ball swiftly along their back line, finding No8 Caleb Montgomery free to dive over the line. The conversion was missed, but Lucs now led 21-24 after 46 minutes.

The Black and Whites were now showing why they are serious challengers for promotion, despite their last game set-back defeat, Kelly again creating the space to allow them to put wing Rob Aikman away in the corner to increase the lead to 21-29 on 52 minutes.

But Chester wouldn’t capitulate, and scored again to keep them within touching distance, through replacement Dom Cleverley on the hour mark. Again converted, to see the game reduced to a single point advantage for Lucs (28-29).

Pressure started to build again on the Chester defence, and it was no surprise when after previous warnings, Chester’s Scrivens received a yellow card for reoccurring penalties in their red zone. Tom Jones used his very adept kicking skills to keep them pinned down and, from a resultant driving maul close-in, captain Ben Link was at the bottom and over the line, scoring to increase the Lucs lead. Jones converted to lead 28-36.

Chester, now a player light, had no answer to Lucs who kept the scoreboard ticking with Kelly and Jonty Monk combining to put Charlie Grimes away to score under the posts; Tom Jones converting, to lead 28-43 after 66 minutes.

Kelly again, was in the action, and this time in the points as he collected a loose ball on half way, to run in and touch down with 10 minutes left to play, Jones again converted for the Lucs half century of points (28-50). And they hadn’t finished, as Bob Bray closed the scoring, with a couple of minutes left on referee Andrew Shaw’s watch, to leave Lucs with a comfortable scoreline.

Full Time Score
Chester RUFC 28 – 55 Luctonians RFC

Lucs go again next week, hoping to gain maximum points at their penultimate home game versus Redruth and that Camborne, who still have to visit Mortimer Park and have lost their last two games, so now sitting just 10 points ahead, keep up their losing streak. What would also be beneficial is if fast charging Hinckley, who sit behind us by only 5 points in the league, slip up during their run-in before season’s end.

Luctonians Man of the Match & Star Man
Frank Kelly

You can also watch a grandstand view of our nine tries HERE.