Luctonians suffered their seventh league defeat.

Luctonians defeat by Newport means their promotion hopes hang by a thread going into the last round of matches in Midlands One.

The defeat drops them to fourth in the league table behind Broadstreet, Chester and Kenilworth.

Malvern were unable to help their local rivals as they lost at home to Chester.

Lucs must now beat Kenilworth and hope Newport do them a favour by beating Chester for them to stand a chance of grabbing the last promotion spot.

Lucs went behind at Newport to a penalty from home fly-half James Curngenven, before prop Chris Ingram crossed out wide to extend the home lead to 8-0.

Lucs opened their account with a penalty from Andy Garrod, but Newport centre Thomas Tanumi crossed for the home side's second try, which went unconverted.

Malvern's weakened scrum stood up well against Chester

Jamie Simpson, increased the home side's lead to 16-3, with a further penalty.

Malvern were forced to field a much-changed side once more through injury.

Veteran prop Steve Cooper returned from retirement against Chester at hooker.

Chris Hooper opened the scoring for Malvern with a penalty, but Chester spread the ball for Foden to go over, then convert his own try.

On the stroke of half time, a quick free kick set up a further breach of the Malvern cover for flanker Chris Lewis to score and Foden to convert.

Chester were repelled for a while but Sean Green joined the line to score and at 22-3 it looked all over for Malvern.

But flanker James Martin used his strength to power through for a try with Hooper adding the extras.

A Foden penalty stretched the Chester lead to 15 points, and although Martin barrelled over again to score, with Hooper again converting, it was too late for a Malvern revival.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version