Rugby Report: Lincoln men’s first team lose, but ladies win

Two tries from Luke Cocking proved decisive as Lincoln’s 1st XV lost what was their first match in over a month in a 32-10 defeat at Dronfield.

Lincoln lost Jim Calveley to the sin bin early on before Dronfield’s Joe Farrell slotted over a penalty.

Both teams lost a player to the sin bin before Richie Dixon’s penalty levelled the scores after 25 minutes.

Tries from Cocking and Tim Byrn put Dronfield back in front, with Farrell adding one conversion.

Lincoln reduced the deficit when Pratt intercepted the ball and ran from over halfway for a try, which Dixon converted.

Farrell slotted over a second-half penalty before Lincoln lost prop Grant Cowe to injury shortly after the hour mark.

Dronfield secured the victory with late tries from AJ Hills and Cocking, with Farrell converting both.

Lincoln captain Will Scammell said: “It was a hard loss to take after a good weeks training and after going into the game with such confidence following our victory against Dronfield at home.

“For the first team this season we had an away pitch that suited our fast running style of rugby, but we were outplayed by a Dronfield side who managed to set up far more scoring opportunities than we did. It was a well-deserved victory for them.”

Lincoln’s James Kirk crossed for two tries to help Malta to an 89-3 win over Andorra. Malta will now face Lithuania in a promotion play-off.

Lincoln Ladies after their home victory against Scunthorpe on Sunday. Photo: Brian Kelly

Lincoln Ladies welcomed Scunthorpe to Longdales Park on Sunday, but the visitors didn’t have enough players and forfeited the game meaning a home walkover. Lincoln lent the opposition some players so 13 aside could be played, with the hosts winning 34-10 thanks to hat-tricks from Harriet Fluck and Clare Brown.

OTHER RESULTS

Elsewhere in the county Scunthorpe beat Lichfield 26-23 in the Midlands Premier. In Midlands One East Market Rasen & Louth lost 71-0 at Wellinborough. In Midlands Two East (South) Stamford beat Market Harborough 32-27.

Grimsby lost 69-7 at Long Eaton in Midlands Three East (North), while in the same division Sleaford won 28-24 at Lincolnshire rivals Spalding.

In Midlands Four East (North) Skegness beat Boston 23-12. Bourne lost 16-15 at St Neots in Midlands Four East (South).

In Midlands Five East (North) Gainsborough beat Keyworth 19-11, Cleethorpes won 19-8 at Meden Vale and North Hykeham got a home walk over against Bingham.