Rugby Report: Cup defeat for Lincoln

Lincoln’s 1st XV suffered a disappointing 55-19 defeat at Stamford in the quarter final of the NLD Shield.

The last time Lincoln travelled to face Stamford they claimed an emphatic 50-21 victory in a Lincolnshire Cup clash in February 2017, but this time it wasn’t to be.

James Kirk, who co-captained the side with Laurence Few, made his comeback from injury in what was his first appearance since mid-November.

Stamford crossed for two converted tries before Lincoln reduced the deficit when Lewis Wilson bumped off his opposite man to dive over for a try, which Tom Challis converted.

Stamford added a further two tries as the hosts took a 24-7 lead going in at the break.

Sean Chapman came off the bench to make his first team debut in the second half, but Stamford ended any hopes of a Lincoln comeback with three tries within 15 minutes of the restart.

Stamford added a further converted try before Lincoln reduced the deficit with two late tries.

A pick and go from the scrum by Few saw the forward beat the back row for pace before stepping the full-back to go over for a try, which Challis converted.

A blindside pick from the scrum by Few was followed by an attempted offload to Mitch Ashworth. Challis then collected the loose ball before offloading for Jake Keeton, who shrugged off two hits to go over for a try in the corner.

Stamford completed the scoring with a converted try in the final minute of the match to end Lincoln’s participation in this season’s NLD Shield.

After the match Kirk said: “Overall, energy was lacking throughout. Stamford started well and scored early.

“Defensively it was below standard. Newcomer Sean made a good impact coming on at half-time.”

Lincoln Imps XV’s unbeaten start to 2019 was ended by a 44-5 home defeat against county rivals Market Rasen & Louth.

Lincoln’s only try came three minutes from the end when a quick tap from Zeph Chapman set up John Feeney, who almost scored only to be stopped just short of the line.

Captain James Johnson then picked up the ball from the back of a ruck to score a try from a metre out.

After the match captain Johnson said: “Rasen dominated the first 60 minutes of the game and scored eight tries. In this time frame we were our worst enemy giving away stupid penalties and bickering between each other.

“We then started to get a bit of control in the game and produced some good forward and back moves. In the last 20 we had a lot more possession and had some scoring opportunities.”

West Bridgford’s “fantastic backs” proved to be the difference as Lincoln’s 3rd XV suffered a 69-0 away defeat.

After the match 3rd XV captain Adam Kelleher said: “It was a real good team effort against a seriously loaded side.

“The forwards were tremendous in the scrum. We were just unlucky we had a poor referee who only saw one team on the pitch. We showed great team work.”

Lincoln’s 1st XV return to league action at Newark on Saturday. Lincoln Imps XV host Newark, while the third team face Mansfield.

Meanwhile, Lincoln’s Under-16s won 32-7 away at Kesteven and the Under-13s beat Sleaford 30-10. Lincoln girls Under-18s won 27-17 at Scunthorpe.

OTHER RESULTS Elsewhere in the county, leaders Scunthorpe won 31-14 at Lichfield in the Midlands Premier thanks to tries from Will Robinson, Nick Dyson, Ben Hyde and a penalty try. Paul Cook added three conversions and a penalty.

Sleaford suffered a narrow 14-10 defeat at Bakewell in Midlands Three East (North). John Spencer scored Sleaford’s try, which was converted by Dan Mackie who also added a penalty. In the same division Ashfield were awarded a home walkover against Spalding.

Kesteven’s first team didn’t have a game at the weekend, but their 2nd XV beat Ilkeston 53-17.

Lewis Farr grabbed two tries as North Hykeham beat Stamford College Old Boys 29-14 in the quarter final of the Intermediate Lincolnshire County Cup. Mark Munton, Ryan Carr and Rich Bevan crossed for a try apiece, with Rob Booth kicking two conversions.

In Midlands Four East (North) Boston claimed their sixth league win in a row with a 21-5 victory at Cleethorpes. Michael Baldwin and David Cotton scored Boston’s tries, with Matt Bray adding one conversion and three penalties.

Hooker Andy Shaw scored a try for Cleethorpes, who lost number eight Adam Beeken and winger Lawrence Gillen to injury during the match.

It was Cleethorpes 1st XV’s first ever home defeat at King George V Fields, which they have been playing at since towards the end of the 2016/17 season.

Tries from Ben Farnsworth, Rickie Taylor, Robin Lancaster, Danny Gill, Nyle Chapman and Glen Stewart helped Skegness to a 48-29 victory over Gainsborough. Rikki Bovey added six conversions and two penalties. Daniel Dawson, Kierron Padgett, Brad Beresford and Robbie Goodyear scored Gainsborough’s tries, with the latter adding three conversions and a penalty.

Grimsby were awarded a home walkover against Ollerton.