A fine still afternoon at Portway for the visit by Luctonians.
Quite a frantic start to the game with Lewis B going over from a 5m penalty on 2 minutes. Luctonians going through Bees rush defence in the 22 3m later and Bees then getting the ball out wide to Josh on the wing, 2 handoffs later and he crosses in the corner and runs back towards the posts to simplify the conversion. So 7m in 3 tries and a 12-5 scoreline. Defence coaches crying on both sides!
The game settles with both packs competing well but Luctonians edging territory. Deadlock eventually broken with Noah opting to go for posts from a penalty on Luctonians 22 centrefield. 15-5 19 minutes in.
Penalty count for both teams mounting but Bees win the territory battle in the next phase of the game. Bees also score next running from a penalty and successfully recycling in Luctonians 22 before sending the ball out wide for Kamil to force his way over. 20-5 28 minutes in. Another 6 penalties later brings up half time with Bees deep in Luctonians 22.
Luctonians take the first points of the second half with penalty assisted territory finding them deep in Bees 22. One offence later and a quick tap sees them over for 20-10 on 42 minutes.
Bees restart and keep Luctonians contained in their half. Turnover ball allowing Bees to progress deep into Luctonians 22. Bees offend with Corry penalised for a squeeze ball and carded for the offence. Luctonians win the penalty count but not releasing on the 10m gives Bees an opportunity for posts which Noah takes to extend the lead to 23-10 on 52 minutes.
More stop start play from the restart but a 14 man Bees win the territory battle. Initially held up but an attack out wide from the scrum sees Josh go in for a second on 59 minutes. Converted from wide left for 30-10 on 59 minutes.
The next phase sees I think 7 penalties to Luctonians with them eventually going over with a driving maul following a lineout in the 22. Time nearly up now but Luctonians converting for 30-17.
From the restart Josh gets a yellow for tackling a player in the air (again). So 13 now and Luctonians sniffing a losing bonus point. But Bees earning turnover in midfield and getting back up to Luctonians 22 earns them a scrum following a knock on. A called play from the backs gives Noah some extra space to go through to close out the game 35-17. Ice bath with that special friend awaiting.
Bees will take the win and move forward. But a very stop start game that never flowed. Other plus point - it wasn't raining!