Rugby Report: Lincoln’s men’s first team back to winning ways

Grant Cowe scored his first try for Lincoln’s 1st XV as they returned to winning ways with a 23-5 home victory against Ashby in very wet conditions.

Mike Keegan and Will Oliver also grabbed a try apiece with Richie Dixon adding one conversion and two penalties, while youngster George Pomfret was named as Lincoln’s man-of-the-match.

Lincoln piled continuous attacking pressure on their opponents straight from the kick-off with Jake Keeton, Grant Laws, David Beveridge, John Feeney and Oliver all going close to scoring early on.

The hosts finally got their deserved breakthrough after 17 minutes when a long pass from Beveridge put Keegan over for an unconverted try in the corner.

Beveridge produced his second assist in the closing stages of the first half as his offload set up a try for Oliver, which Dixon converted.

Lincoln increased their lead early in the second half as Dixon slotted over a penalty before excellent work by the forwards and a strong drive put Cowe over for an unconverted try.

Ashby reduced the deficit through Richard Beesley’s unconverted try before a Dixon penalty sealed victory for Lincoln.

After the match captain Leigh Dearden said: “I am proud of the men against Ashby, everything that was asked of them they delivered. They approached the game in a business-like manner and at no point did they get rattled or lose confidence.

“They proved to a home crowd that when Lincoln takes charge of a match it’s only a matter of how much they win by.”

Rory McConnell, Kodi Strand, George Chirlia, Ben Wright and Chris Smith crossed for tries as Lincoln Imps XV claimed their first win of the season with a 33-0 victory at Sleaford.

McConnell added three conversions with player-manager Brad Nixon kicking one.

After the match Lincoln Imps XV captain James Johnson said: “It is a great feeling to get the first win of the season. From the first to the last minute we controlled the game and never looked like conceding any points.”

Lincoln Ladies battled bravely before losing 45-14 at Dudley Kingswinford Vixens in the second round of the RFU Women’s Junior Cup. Ruth Denham and Lara Smith scored Lincoln’s tries with Helen Francis adding two conversions.

After the match coach Brian Kelly said: “Lincoln Ladies showed masses of effort and bravery throughout a hard fought encounter that the home team only ran away with in the second half.”

Lincoln’s 1st XV travel to Dronfield on Saturday, while the Imps XV and third team host Notts Medics and Castle Donington respectively. The rugby club, located on Lodge Lane in Nettleham, will host its annual firework display on Friday, November 2 from 6pm.

Lincoln fly-half James Kirk was on international duty again at the weekend as his try, four conversions and a penalty helped Malta to a 41-7 victory over Bosnia.

OTHER RESULTS Elsewhere in the county, league leaders Scunthorpe won 24-17 at Nuneaton in the Midlands Premier thanks to tries from Gaz Mist, Nick Syddall and Grant Elliott. Paul Cook kicked three conversions and a penalty.

In Midlands Two East (North) Jake McLoughlin crossed for a try, which Tom Alldridge converted, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Market Rasen & Louth from suffering a 15-7 home defeat against Melbourne.

In Midlands Three East (South) as Bourne lost 74-0 at Daventry, while Stamford ran league leaders Northampton Casuals close before eventually losing 22-19.

In Midlands Three East (North) Adam Loveday and Dave Titmus crossed for tries, with Wayne Harley adding one conversion, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Sleaford from losing 41-12 at Nottingham Moderns. Sleaford Ladies lost their cup tie at home to Cannock 67-5 with Sam Olliver grabbing the hosts’ try. Spalding men’s first team lost 26-3 at Nottingham Casuals, while Kesteven were given a home walk over against Bakewell.

Grimsby took over top spot in Midlands Four East (North) after a 36-14 victory over Boston. Matt Pettiford, Colin Matthews, Jordan Carr, Lewis Newsum, Pete Shaw and Kieran Thomas grabbed Grimsby’s tries with Luke Chaplin adding three conversions. Former leaders Cleethorpes dropped to third after losing for the first time this season – a 26-17 defeat at East Retford.

North Hykeham lost 15-13 against Ollerton with Ross O’Loughlin and Sam Roberts scoring their tries and Chris Kirkham kicking a penalty. Gainsborough lost 34-33 at home against Chesterfield Panthers, while Skegness lost 86-10 at Mellish.