Rugby Report: Narrow defeat for Lincoln men’s first team

Zeph Chapman’s first try for the 1st XV was not enough to prevent Lincoln from going down to a closely fought 23-13 defeat at Melbourne.

Melbourne opened the scoring through a Jack Pearce try, which was converted by Sam Hancock.

Lincoln hit back when Chapman went over for a try following a rolling maul and James Kirk slotted over the conversion.

Melbourne added a penalty before Pearce crossed for his second try, which Hancock again converted to give the hosts a 17-7 half-time lead.

Lincoln reduced the deficit as Kirk slotted over two penalties, but Hancock also successfully kicked two at the other end as Melbourne held on for victory.

After the match Lincoln’s player-coach Joe Moore said: “The final result was obviously disappointing for the team and it was frustrating that a number of individual errors and incorrect decisions meant we didn’t come away with some points.

“Despite this, the times we did play our game we were dangerous and I thought physically we put them under real pressure.

“The second half we didn’t concede any tries and that shows the work we are putting in at training is paying off.”

Lincoln Imps XV lost 41-12 at Melbourne’s second team with their man-of-the-match Jack Baldry and Tom Leaver scoring the visitors’ tries.

Player-manager Brad Nixon, who added one conversion, said: “The side is improving each week and I have full confidence we will get a run of wins together very soon.”

A late penalty from Rory McConnell rescued a 17-17 draw for Lincoln’s 3rd XV against West Bridgford at Longdales Park.

Lincoln’s man-of-the-match Thomas Short capped his first senior appearance for the club with a try as the hosts trailed 12-7 at the break.

The hosts edged in front when Grant Laws hit a hard line to break through the middle of two defenders before handing off the full-back and going over for a try. McConnell converted both tries.

West Bridgford crossed for an unconverted try before McConnell’s late penalty ensured it ended all square.

After the match 3rd XV captain Adam Kelleher said: “We continued where we left off last week with a really good performance in both defence and attack.”

Lincoln’s 1st XV host league leaders Newark on Saturday, while the Imps XV travel to face their Nottinghamshire neighbours. Lincoln’s 3rd XV travel to face Mansfield’s second team on Saturday, while Lincoln Ladies return to action with a trip to Mellish on Sunday.

Lincoln’s youngsters

Youngsters from Lincoln Rugby Club performed Flag Waver duties, parading a giant Leicester Tigers flag on the pitch in the moments building up to kick-off in the match against Newcastle Falcons earlier this month on September 8.

OTHER RESULTS Elsewhere in the county, unbeaten league leaders Scunthorpe claimed a 35-12 win over Lichfield thanks to tries from Gareth Mist, Rory Rendall-Tyrrell, Oli Wood, Eddie Newsum and Nick Dyson, which were all converted by Paul Cook.

Unbeaten Market Rasen & Louth beat Loughborough 15-7 in Midlands Two East (North). Spen Holvey and Ed Nicholls scored the tries for Rasen, with Tom Alldridge adding a conversion and a penalty.

In Midlands Three East (South) Stamford beat Daventry 40-27, but Bourne lost 29-0 at Biggleswade. In Midlands Three East (North) Sleaford took a 19-10 lead before slipping to a 27-22 home defeat against Kesteven. Sleaford’s tries came from James Hough, James Cowell and Rob Titmus, with Daniel Mackie added two conversions and a penalty. Meanwhile, Spalding claimed a 58-17 home win over Buxton.

In Midlands Four East (North) unbeaten league leaders Cleethorpes won 28-13 at county rivals Boston. Unbeaten North Hykeham claimed a narrow 15-14 victory over Mellish thanks to tries from James Archdale and Ross O’Loughlin and a penalty and conversion from Rob Booth.

Grimsby won 27-21 at Ollerton, while Skegness were awarded a home walkover against Gainsborough.