LAST year's North Midlands Cup finalists met at this year's semi-final stage when Luctonians travelled to Whitchurch.

And it was the Hereford side who triumphed, with a comfortable 27-15 victory.

On a bright and breezy day, Lucs exerted the early pressure against a side that have only won one game all season.

But, similar to last week's game at Scunthorpe, Lucs lost too much ball in contact or conceded penalties. This allowed Whitchurch to take an early lead on six minutes when Hares converted a penalty.

Four minutes later, Wheadon converted a penalty for the visitors to level the scores at 3-3. Wasteful Whitchurch then missed consecutive penalties after 20 and 27 minutes.

By this stage, the hosts were beginning to get into the game and a decision by Lucs to run the ball from their own line backfired when they lost possession allowing Whitchurch to score under the posts. Hares added the extra two points to give Whitchurch a 10-3 lead.

Helagi then made a break from mid-way inside his own half and, after selling a couple of dummies, scored a few yards from the touchline. Wheadon was left with a very difficult kick to add the extra points, but he successfully converted to level the scores at 10-10.

The game became very scrappy with first one side then the other being penalized. The referee's patience was finally exhausted, with Luc's Handley being yellow-carded.

Three minutes into the second-half, Whitchurch came close to scoring with a drop goal attempt, before Lucs were awarded a penalty for a high tackle on Steve Jacques. Wheadon stepped up and successfully made it 13-10.

Whitchurch then had a spell of pressure, which they converted into points with an unconverted try on the hour mark. But a determined break by James Owen was finished off by Nick Hamer under the posts and Wheadon added the extra points to put Lucs back into a 20-13 lead.

Another brilliant break by Helagi saw the backs spin the ball and flanker Tom Dines was on hand to score. Wheadon again added the conversion and Lucs were 27-15 in front, which turned out to be the final score despite sustained attacks from the hosts.

Lucs will now meet either Dudley or Camp Hill in the final.