February 11, 2019 9.04 am This story is over 61 months old

Rugby Report: Two home wins for Lincoln

Lincoln’s 1st XV travel to Ashby on Saturday
James Kirk and Aiden Mason played key roles as Lincoln RFC claimed two home wins on Saturday. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

James Kirk’s 13-point haul put Lincoln back on track as the 1st XV recovered from two yellow cards in a minute to win 18-12 against Ashbourne.

Lincoln opened the scoring inside the opening two minutes of the match. Shortly after kick-off Lincoln were awarded a line-out before three strong phases by the forwards set up Kirk, who ran through the defence for a try which he
also converted.

James Kirk scored 13 of Lincoln’s points in their victory over Ashbourne. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Ashbourne reduced the deficit to two points when a kick through put them over for an unconverted try after 23 minutes.

Kirk slotted over a penalty after the half hour mark to increase Lincoln’s lead. Lincoln lost Spanish prop John Aboitiz to the sin bin soon after as the hosts took a narrow 10-5 lead going in at the break.

James Kirk preparing to kick. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln captain Leigh Dearden and Joe Moore were shown yellow cards inside the opening six minutes of the second half.

Ashbourne soon took advantage as a strong drive set up a converted try to edge them 12-10 in front.

Lincoln’s Joe Moore on the run against Ashbourne. Photo; Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln regained the lead when Kirk slotted over a penalty before the hosts crossed for what proved to be the match-winning try seven minutes from time.

Tom Dowdy forced his way over for an unconverted try from a rolling maul, but there was still time for more late drama.

Lincoln’s Richie Dixon preparing to offload to a team-mate against Ashbourne. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Dearden was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the match, but Lincoln showed good resilience in the closing minutes to hold on for a much-needed victory.

After the match Lincoln try scorer Kirk said: “It was quite a frustrating game to play in. The boys started well, using the wind to play in Ashbourne’s half.

Lincoln forward Sam Cowles running at the Ashbourne defence. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

“Unfortunately, discipline did not allow us to create the lead we wanted. Going down to 13 men in the second half changed the swing of the game in our favour.

“All 13 boys gave everything for the 10 minutes and we managed to keep this intensity until the end.”

Lincoln’s Number Eight Grant Cowe powering through the Ashbourne defence. Photo: Tom Eggleston

Aiden Mason crossed for two tries during Lincoln Imps XV’s victory. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Prop Aiden Mason crossed for two tries as Lincoln Imps XV bounced back to winning ways with a 24-20 victory over the University of Lincoln’s rugby second team.

Youngsters Jake Keeton and Alex Brodrick grabbed a try apiece with the latter’s brother Luke adding two conversions.

Lincoln’s Matt Bulteel putting in a great tackle on his opponent. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

After the match, Lincoln Imps XV captain James Johnson said: “As a Uni old boy it was good to get a victory over my old team, which was a tight and brutal game to play in.

“We performed excellently in the scrums and in the tackle area. We now need to carry this form into the match against Sleaford.”

The 3rd XV’s match against local rivals Market Rasen was called off.

Lincoln’s Tom Eggleston halting the opposition’s attack. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln’s 1st XV will travel to face Ashby on Saturday. Lincoln Imps XV and 3rd XV will host Sleaford and Paviors respectively this weekend.

Meanwhile four players from Lincoln’s Colts – Ben Crowe, Ben Manderfield, Kaie Turner and Ciaran Wolverson – have been selected for the NLD Under-17 squad.

Try hero Aiden Mason also performed well in defence for Lincoln Imps XV on Saturday. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

OTHER RESULTS Elsewhere in the county, Tom Foster crossed for a crucial try as leaders Scunthorpe came out on top 16-15 in a dramatic top-of-the-table clash at second-placed Newport (Salop) in the Midlands Premier.

Foster’s try, along with three penalties and a conversion from Paul Cook, put Scunthorpe on course for victory. Newport crossed for a late try to ensure a dramatic finale, but the visitors’ subsequent conversion hit the crossbar.

Tom Foster celebrating with his team-mates after Scunthorpe beat Newport (Salop) in the top-of-the-table clash.

In Midlands Three East (South) Bourne claimed their third league win in a row with an impressive 43-15 victory over Stockwood Park. Adam Binns crossed for two tries with Tom Dixon, Ben Keast, Rob Bentley, Josh Lynch and Sam Evison each scoring one. Evison also kicked four conversions.

In Midlands Three East (North) Spalding recorded a narrow 12-10 victory away at Mansfield.

Skegness were the only Lincolnshire side in action in Midlands Four East (North) as they suffered a frustrating 31-19 defeat at Meden Vale. Colin Haigh, Rowan Mason and Lucas Gartshore crossed for Skegness’ tries with Rikki Bovey adding two conversions.

Boston, Cleethorpes, Grimsby and North Hykeham were all awarded home walkovers against Gainsborough, Worksop, Amber Valley and Nottinghamians respectively.

Sam Olliver, Sarah Taylor and Sherrie Christian crossed for a try apiece as Sleaford Ladies suffered a narrow 17-15 defeat at Amber Valley.