Rugby Report: Wins for Lincoln Ladies and Imps XV

Jade Morgan and Helen Francis crossed for two tries apiece as Lincoln Ladies continued their unbeaten start to 2019 with a 43-7 victory over Sileby Vikings.

Lincoln opened the scoring after just five minutes when Erika O’Brien came close to forcing her way over the line.

Rose Buchanan then picked up the ball from the ruck and showed great strength to carry three defenders over the try line with her. Francis successfully slotted over the conversion.

Lincoln showed some excellent skills to pass out of the tackles until the ball ended up back with Morgan, who handed off a defender and ran 10 metres for a try. Francis added the extras.

The hosts extended their lead when Bob Chapman chased her own kick before the ball popped up back into her hands for her to run in for a try.

The ball was spread wide right by the backs to release Francis to run round the last defender to go over for Lincoln’s fourth try.

Sileby reduced the deficit by scoring their only try of the match before Francis made a great 60 metre break. She ran round the onrushing defenders and outpaced the cover wide to the left to score a try which gave Lincoln a 29-7 half-time lead.

Lincoln added a further two tries in the second half. Morgan ran onto a pass and handed off two defenders to score a try, which Francis converted.

Second-placed Lincoln completed the scoring when captain Clare Brown confused the defence with a dummy before stepping back inside the cover defence.

She then handed off the full-back and beat the chasing defenders to go over for a try, which Francis converted.

After the match Lincoln Ladies head coach Brian Kelly said: “The ladies were excellent. They followed their game plan and their defence, at times, was ferocious.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them, they were brilliant.”

Euan Williams and Eddy Jopling crossed for two tries apiece as Lincoln Imps XV claimed their third win in a row with a 49-5 home victory over Boston.

Tom Dowdy, Lewis Wilson and Jake Keeton also got their names on the scoresheet with Richie Dixon successfully converting all seven tries. Boston’s try was scored by flanker Luke Fowler.

After the match Lincoln Imps XV captain James Johnson said: “It was an excellent performance against a strong Boston side.

“From the first to the last minute we attacked well with some good running lines and supporting play. We also defended aggressively with some dominant tackling.”

Lincoln’s 1st XV return to league action with the visit of Dronfield on Saturday. Lincoln Imps XV host Notts Medics while the third team travel to Castle Donnington.

Meanwhile Lincoln’s Under-7s to Under-12s Minis hosted the teams from Kesteven and Scunthorpe on Sunday for a festival of rugby. 400 children took part over all age grades showing great spirit of the game with some hard fought battles.

Lincoln Minis have a busy month ahead with the visit of Mellish, a trip to Southwell and a festival at Stamford Rugby Club all coming up soon.

OTHER RESULTS Elsewhere in the county, Scunthorpe lost 38-24 at West Bridgford in the semi-final of the NLD Senior Cup. Tom Foster grabbed two tries with Tim Dunk and Will Harrison each scoring one, while Jess Matthews added two conversions.

Market Rasen & Louth also lost their NLD cup tie after they were beaten 82-5 at Paviors. Harry Wallis scored the visitors’ only try.

Bourne edged past North Hykeham with a 33-20 home victory in the NLD Plate semi-final.

Josh Lynch crossed for two of Bourne’s tries. Harry Thornburn, Sam Harby and Dave Maudsley each grabbed a try apiece while Sam Evison kicked the remaining points.

North Hykeham’s four tries were scored by Gareth Alder-Woolf, Paul Budden, Sam Doyle and Richard Bevan.

Grimsby are through to the final of the Lincolnshire Intermediate Cup after a 54-3 victory over Skegness.

Luke Thornton, Tom Bright, Kieran Dinnes, Gareth Roberts, Evan Picking, Tom Baker, Kieron Moore and Brad Treacher all scored tries for Grimsby with the latter adding seven conversions. Skegness’ points came via a Rikki Bovey penalty.

Gainsborough suffered extra time heartbreak in their cup semi-final after a 25-15 defeat away at Stamford College Old Boys. Ben Bethell and Damian Hart scored Gainsborough’s tries with Robbie Goodyear adding a conversion and a penalty.

Kesteven recently appointed former Leicester Tigers star Fereti (Freddie) Tuilagi as Director of Rugby.

He was at the club to witness Kesteven’s second team beating Dronfield 24-7 on Saturday. Scott Odams, Aaron Roberts, Chris Jinks and Henry Parker scored Kesteven’s tries with Martyn Parker adding two conversions.