Rugby Report: League victories for Lincoln men’s first team and ladies

Will Scammell capped his 150th appearance for Lincoln’s 1st XV with a try as the hosts fought back from behind to claim a 33-12 victory against Ilkeston.

Tom Dowdy grabbed a try on his league debut for the first team, while Matt Keeton and Matt Walker also got their names on the scoresheet.

A penalty try was also awarded for the hosts, with Richie Dixon adding three conversions in a game that was overseen by Lincoln’s new coaching team of Rhauri Pike, Will Oliver and John Black.

Ilkeston started strongly with Alex Ayres crossing for an unconverted try after six minutes.

Lincoln hit back after 12 minutes when a great move through the backs set up Scammell, who broke through a tackle to sprint clear for a try, which Dixon converted.

Jake Lamb stepped a player to run in for a try, which he also converted, as Ilkeston took a 12-7 lead in at the break.

Lincoln edged in front shortly before the hour mark when Mitch Ashworth offloaded for Keeton to power through for a try, which Dixon converted.

Ashworth was again the provider soon after as his box kick caused a mix up in the Ilkeston defence, with Walker reacting quickest to catch the ball and sprint from halfway for a try, which Dixon converted.

Lincoln secured the bonus point win after being awarded a penalty try. The hosts then completed the victory after overturning an Ilkeston scrum, driven by powerful forwards, to put Dowdy over for his first try for the 1st XV.

After the match Scammell, who has been at the club for 22 years, said: “I have loved every game I have played and it was nice to get a score on my 150th cap, hopefully there will be a few more to come. I am proud to be part of such a great club.”

Captain Clare Brown crossed for four tries for the second successive league game as Lincoln Ladies won 43-15 at Sileby Vikings.

Rose Buchanan grabbed her first try for the club with Jade Morgan and Bob Chapman getting one apiece, with the latter adding three conversions.

Linda McLean also slotted over one conversion as Lincoln Ladies made it back-to-back league wins.

After the match coach Brian Kelley said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the ladies. They never stopped working for each other and were still looking for tries right up to the final whistle.”

Lincoln’s 1st XV travel to face Old Laurentians in the RFU Intermediate Cup on Saturday. The second and third team both saw their games called off last weekend, with the latter set to return to action with the visit of Boston on Saturday.

OTHER RESULTS Elsewhere in the county, league leaders Scunthorpe claimed a 22-13 victory over Syston thanks to two tries from Dave Garbutt. Sam Morgan and Eddie Newsum grabbed a try apiece, with Paul Cook adding one conversion.

In Midlands Two East (North) Market Rasen & Louth claimed a narrow 29-26 win over Ashbourne, with tries from Josh White, Eddie Nichols, Tom Stephens and Will Pridgeon. Nichols added a drop goal and a conversion, with Tom Alldridge kicking two conversions.

In Midlands Three East (South) Stamford won 48-15 at Rushden & Higham, but Bourne lost 36-6 at Leicester Forest.

It didn’t go the way of the Lincolnshire sides in Midlands Three East (North). Kesteven suffered a narrow 35-24 home defeat against Buxton, with their tries coming from Ken Lines, Dan Turner, Tom Webster and Rob Sheardown. Adam Draper added two conversions.

Penalties from Tom Wormington and Daniel Mackie were not enough to prevent Sleaford from losing 13-6 at home against Tupton. Spalding lost 51-29 at Rolls Royce.

In Midlands Four East (North) Grimsby played Cleethorpes in a league and Lincolnshire Cup double header.

The league match ended 8-8, with Nathan Watson getting a try and a penalty for Grimsby. Cleethorpes’ points came via a Joe Barker penalty and a try from Alex Nabais.

Extra time was played to decide who would advance to the semi-final of the Lincolnshire Cup. Barker kicked two penalties for Cleethorpes, but a try and conversion from Watson guided Grimsby to a nail-biting 15-14 victory.

Tries from Mark Munton, Chris Kirkham, Rob Booth, Ryan Carr, Sam Cooke and Sam Roberts helped North Hykeham to a 38-7 home victory over Amber Valley. Kirkham added three conversions, with Booth kicking one.

Skegness won 36-15 away at Nottinghamians thanks to tries from Rob Lancaster, Lucas Gartshore, Matthew Deane, Connor Higginbottom, Ben Whitman and James Cook, with Rickie Bovey adding three conversions.

Boston lost 55-8 at Mellish with their points coming from a Bruno Hall try and a Matt Bray penalty. Gainsborough lost 29-15 against leaders East Retford, with Ben Watson and Kieron Smyth grabbing a try apiece. Robbie Goodyear kicked a penalty and a conversion.