Rugby Report: Battling defeat for Lincoln men’s third team

Harry Atkinson crossed for two tries as Lincoln’s 3rd XV lost 40-26 at Boston despite a battling second-half fightback.

Lincoln fell behind to a converted try inside the opening minute, but soon levelled when their man-of-the-match Craig Richardson drove over for his second try in as many games and Luke Brodrick successfully slotted over the conversion.

Boston took the lead with two tries, one of which was converted, before Lincoln lost Aron Smith to the sin bin and James Howe to a red card, meaning the visitors played a large portion of the game with 14 men.

Craig Richardson crossing for his try for Lincoln against Boston. Photo: Adam Phillips

The hosts took advantage and crossed for a further two tries to take a 33-7 lead in at the break.

Lincoln refused to give up and reduced the deficit with two tries from Harry Atkinson within 20 minutes of the restart.

Atkinson ran through and handed off a couple of defenders before going over for a try, which Rory McConnell converted.

The youngster added a second after a well-worked lineout saw Lincoln maul their way towards the try line and Atkinson picked off the back to drive over a few players to score.

Brodick was sent to the sin bin before Boston increased their lead with a converted try.

Jake Keeton lining up to take a conversion. Photo: Adam Phillips

Lincoln scored the final try of the match when quick hands saw the ball passed out 10 metres from the try line.

Paul Swaby then offloaded to Daryl Wright, who drove through the Boston defence from 10 metres out to go over for a try, which Brodrick converted.

After the match 3rd XV captain Adam Kelleher said: “It was a game of two halves. The first half was poor discipline and bad tackling, which let Boston into the lead, but a fantastic second-half performance in both defence and attack saw us nearly pull it back.

“There is a lot to work on for the upcoming games, but the team showed great character to get themselves back into the game.”

Alex Cotterill, who captained Lincoln against Boston, leaping for the ball at a lineout. Photo: Adam Phillips

Lincoln’s 1st XV, who face a league trip to Melbourne on Saturday, were given a bye into the next round of the NLD Shield after Kesteven conceded the tie. Lincoln’s Imps XV and 3rd XV host Melbourne and West Bridgford respectively.

British Police Women RFC will face RAF Ladies at Lincoln Rugby Club at 6pm on Monday (September 24).

OTHER RESULTS Elsewhere in the county, league leaders Scunthorpe continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 27-26 win at Doncaster Phoenix. Dave Garbutt crossed for two tries, with Ollie Colie and Josh Bird also getting their names on the scoresheet, with Paul Cook adding two conversions and a penalty.

Market Rasen & Louth’s first team narrowly lost 25-17 against Scunthorpe’s 2nd XV in the Lincolnshire Cup. Will Goodwin, Will Inman and Jake Pryer grabbed Rasen’s tries, with Billy Hardy, Oliver Fielding, Jess Matthews and Clarke Murray responding for Scunthorpe.

Josh Stamp produced a man-of-the-match performance as Sleaford progressed through to the next round of the NLD Shield after an emphatic 81-5 victory over Rushden & Higham Rugby Club. Dave Titmus grabbed four tries, while Rob Titmus and Jonathan Spencer crossed for two apiece.

Stamford claimed a 45-19 cup victory over Southwell, but Spalding weren’t so fortunate after losing their home cup tie 36-5 against Leicester Forest.

In Midlands Four East (North) North Hykeham claimed a fourth league win in a row as Mark Munton crossed for a hat-trick in a 73-19 win at Meden Vale. Unbeaten league leaders Cleethorpes were awarded a home walk over against Amber Valley.

Boston won 34-12 at Chesterfield Panthers and Grimsby beat Nottinghamians 60-10, but Skegness lost 66-14 at East Retford. Gainsborough also lost in a 43-18 home defeat against Ollerton.