Luctonians’ surge in form continued when they dispatched second-placed Bromsgrove 34-17 at Finstall Park.
Paul Hulland was the chief destoyer for Lucs – the powerful backrow grabbed a hat-trick of tries off the back of an armchair ride provided by the front five.
The Mortimer Park men were out of the blocks quickly and went ahead through scrum-half Jamie Simpson’s penalty after just two minutes.
The monstrous power of the Lucs scrummage was the difference between the teams and it was from such a platform that Hulland picked up and crossed for the first of his tries.
Simpson missed the conversion and then a penalty which proved a catalyst for the home side. They regrouped from their shaky start to build an attack from which winger Warren Oliver was able to race in at the corner.
Bromsgrove could not convert and soon found themselves at the mercy of the Lucs forwards again, although Simpson was unable to convert a penalty chance after 24 minutes.
But it was not long before Hulland was in again from a powerful forward scrummage, which has become a trademark of the Mortimer Park men this season.
Lucs’ next score had an air of predictability about it when, after a series of penalty indiscretions close to the home line, the referee awarded a penalty try.
Simpson’s conversion meant Lucs had a comfortable 22-5 lead at the break.
Despite their excellent start to the encounter, Lucs were unable to carry their dominance into the early stages of the second period.
Negative play from both sides saw Lucs’ prop Anthony Marfell and Bromsgrove No 8 Nigel Burrows sent to the sin bin in a scrappy first ten minutes.
With both sets of forwards down a man, Lucs again asserted their power when Hulland crossed for his third try – again from an unstoppable scrum.
Simpson’s conversion handed Lucs a commanding 29-5 lead but to their credit, Bromsgrove refused to roll over and hauled themselves back into contention with a fine solo try and conversion from centre John Critchlow.
With their tails firmly up Bromsgrove launched an attack from deep and after good support, Oliver was able to cross in the corner for his second score of the day.
But any optimism of a late comeback from the home side was snuffed out when Lucs’ outside half Alex James dummied his way over late on.
Lucs were unable to convert but were home and dry at 34-17.
The home side’s frustration was borne out when Bromsgrove second row Nick Wright was red-carded for a reckless wrestling-style throw on Lucs replacement back Brett Prior.
The result is another huge boost for the Mortimer Park men who will be in confident mood ahead of Saturday’s derby clash at home to Hereford (kick-off 3pm).