Hoppers improve but discipline cost

Coach Dave Baldwin described his side’s performance as “a much improved performance over the last two weeks. The backs looked dangerous with ball in hand and we put the opposition under periods of sustained pressure only to lose the ball in promising positions. Again our discipline was poor and we paid for it.”

Another factor was that, whereas in the victory at Lightfoot Green in October, Hoppers outplayed the vaunted Luctonians’ pack, this time round they found themselves on the back foot, especially in the tight and, against an often retreating pack, scrum half James Smith did well to get his backs going at all.

The visitors were the first to attack but a dropped pass and a hack through relieved the pressure and home kicker Morris slotted a penalty on 7 minutes. An infringement at the restart, gave Tommy Bell a chance to reply from distance but his kick rebounded off the crossbar. But Hoppers kept the pressure on and a delayed inside pass from Mark Edwards was taken at pace by Matt Hughes for a well-constructed try and Bell added the extras after 14 minutes.

An infringement at the kick off reception, allowed Morris to reduce the deficit to 1 point and worse was to follow when pressure at a 5-metre scrum produced a turnover and the easiest of touchdowns for home No.8 Hulland and the kick gave his side a 13-7 lead.

Bell replied with a penalty but Hoppers’ pack were driven off their own ball and a forward pass denied Luctonians a try but, at the other end, a teasing cross kick from Bell just evaded chasing wing Tom Ashton. Strong runs from Dominic Moon and Will Bordill were spoiled by loose passing but Hoppers were still very much in touch 13-10 down at the break.

At the restart, Bell was wide with two penalty attempts and a break by Tom Hughes came close. Then a long touch from Bell appeared to set up another promising position but chasing players were adjudged offside and the territory advantage was reversed by the ensuing penalty. A powerful drive from the lineout made ground and the ball was released for centre Binham to crash over on 49 minutes and the kick was good.

Another break from Tom Hughes found his namesake Matt in support but the move was stopped by a deliberate knock on. Hoppers’ momentum was then derailed as replacement prop Mark Irving saw yellow and the home pack took full advantage of the extra man as flanker Smith was driven over with 60 minutes on the clock.

Hoppers then enjoyed a stroke of luck as Moon intercepted on halfway and raced to the posts for Bell to convert. Just 8 points adrift and restored to full strength, Hoppers’ backs continued to test the home defence but Luctonians had the last word when, with the last play of the match, a tiring Hoppers pack conceded a pushover try.

Hoppers hope to get back to winning ways next Saturday after three weeks on the road when they host Hull.