STUDENTS 26 – 47 LUCTONIANS

LUCS TEACH STUDENTS A LESSON IN THEIR OWN CLASSROOM

Loughborough Students RFC vs Luctonians RFC
Saturday 11th April 2026 – East Park
Match Report by Geoff Vickress

Following  a two week break, Lucs were looking to keep their renewed enthusiasm for promotion going against a Students side who themselves are locked into a relegation fight.

In what traditionally is generally a difficult fixture on the ‘plastic’ pitch at the sports academy, Lucs were looking to secure another bonus point victory to keep the pressure on Camborne before next weeks crunch fixture at Mortimer Park against the likely champions. And, with Hinckley breathing down their necks, they successfully navigated this tricky obstacle, running out comfortable winners 26-47.

However, it didn’t auger well from the start, as the Students were up and running first with two early scores, both converted, with tries from Henry Hawkins and James Ellis. Ben Webb added the extras for a 14-0 lead, this after only 10 minutes played.

Shades of the Hinckley loss started to ring alarm bells with the travelling support. 

The Black and Whites have learnt much from that setback, and showed plenty of grit and determination to claw their way back into the game when Caleb Montgomery’s stretched over the line following a period of dominance. Tom Jones converting saw the deficit reduced on 17 minutes (14-7).

Montgomery’s power again saw him dive through the Students’ defence on their try line to level the scores up after 20 minutes. Tom Jones again converted, following a strong forwards presence in the opposition redzone (14-14).

Lucs scrum dominance and forward strength was giving the Students defence plenty of problems, and it was no surprise when, from a driving maul on their 22 metre line, the Black and Whites were able to feed quick ball to Starman centre James Wheeler, who twisted and turned his way  through their back line to score on 35 minutes. Tom Jones kicked a fine conversion, with the ball having fallen off the tee on 3 occasions in the allotted minute allowed, this to lead 14-21.

From the restart, Lucs were awarded a scrum, from where the backs came fully into their own with Owen Randell scoring under the posts; this following excellent work from Bryn Goodall, Rob Aikman, James Wheeler and George Bennett in a flowing move. Jones again converted from his very reliable right boot, to lead 14-28 with half time fast approaching, and with the bonus point in the bag for tries scored.

But the Lucs were to be reduced to 13 players before the referee blew for the recharge of batteries when they lost both starting props Brad Smith and Joe White in separate incidents, both for alleged foul play, adding extra interest to the second half proceedings.

Half Time Score
Loughborough Students RFC 14 – 28 Luctonians RFC

After a very competitive first 20 minutes of rugby, the second half produced much the same, with both sides playing with fluency and attacking from depth. Students fullback Chris Connor and wing Jake Smith combining well with a couple of line breaks and, once again, it took a great try saving tackle from James Wheeler to stop another with the line at Students mercy. 

But Lucs equally were making inroads, with the ever alert scrum half Owen Randell darting and squirting through any break in the Students line to gain ground, ably assisted by Montgomery on more than one occasion. It was from a Randell quick tap penalty on half way that Lucs added to their tally, when he sped away, was tackled on the 22, but flyhalf Jones was on hand to feed Wheeler, whose spin off the defensive line and deft pass to the fast approaching Bob Bray saw him under the posts. Jones converted for a 14-35 score on 66 minutes.

This began a points melody of scores, as Lucs added swiftly to their register with Rob Aikman running in another swift back’s move following great work from Frank Kelly, George Bennett and Bryn Goodall just a couple of minutes later; not converted  (14-40).

Goodall himself touched down under the posts straight from the restart, combining with Jones and the very impressive Wheeler on 70 minutes to complete the Black and Whites points for a fine victory.

The home side gained some consolation, finishing strongly and earning a much needed bonus point by adding two late scores of their own through Jake Smith and Aiden Pugh, one converted. As they did in the first 10 minutes they duplicated in the last 10 minutes, to leave the game with a final score of 26-47.

Full Time Score
Loughborough Students RFC 26 – 47 Luctonians RFC

Lucs will hope to continue their fine form this coming weekend against, as previously mentioned, Camborne in the seasons highlight fixture. Be sure to be there to cheer on the boys in Black and White and “MAKE SOME NOISE !”  Meanwhile, the Students travel to Chester, which could be a defining match for both sides, with relegation playoffs looming for the losers.

Luctonians Man of the Match & Star Man
James Wheeler

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