LUCTONIANS won the North Midlands Cup for the first time in their history with a last-gasp 14-13 victory over Whitchurch.

A penalty from fly-half Jeremy Wheadon in the sixth minute of injury-time secured a breathless victory at Stourbridge's Stourton Park ground and denied Whitchurch their third county cup.

Whitchurch appeared to have snatched victory when replacement number eight Scott Watson went over from a forward drive six minutes from time and full-back Kip Whapshott added the conversion.

Penalised

But Whitchurch number eight Tom Hares was penalised for crossing when he picked up and drove from a scrum close to his line and Wheadon was given the chance to take the cup to Herefordshire.

Whitchurch took the lead with an early penalty from centre Chris Hares but Luctonians scored the opening try in first-half stoppage time when winger Mark Panniers set up centre Richard Henwood.

Hares kicked another penalty early in the second-half but Wheadon struck twice in the third quarter to put Luctonians 11-6 up before Watson drove over.

"It was an excellent final and a great advertisement for North Midlands rugby," said Luctonians' spokesman Dave Thomas.

"The county cup has had its share of criticism in recent years but both of this season's finalists got there on merit, they both wanted to win the cup and that was evident in the delight on our players' faces at the final whistle.

"We have come close on a number of occasions so we are delighted to have finally won the trophy."