Rugby Report: Lincoln beat Bourne to reach cup final

Jake Keeton crossed for two tries as Lincoln’s 1st XV booked their place in the Lincolnshire County Cup Final with a 46-8 win at Bourne.

Bourne are one division below Lincoln, but it wasn’t evident in the early stages of the match as Sam Evison’s penalty put the hosts in front after just four minutes.

Mitch Ashworth prepares to pass to one of his Lincoln team-mates. Photo: Alan Hancock

Laurence Few in action for Lincoln’s 1st XV against Bourne. Photo Alan Hancock

The hosts increased their lead three minutes later as Josh Lynch made a great break up field before offloading for Adam Binns to run in for a try.

Lincoln reduced the deficit to three points when Will Scammell offloaded to James Kirk who played a switch pass for Keeton to dive over for a try.

Lincoln’s Will Scammell powering through the Bourne defence. Photo: Alan Hancock

Bourne’s defence found Will Scammell hard to deal with in their cup tie. Photo: Alan Hancock

Lincoln edged in front when Kirk dummied a pass before beating his man to run in for a try.

The visitors added a further two tries to give them a commanding 22-8 lead going in at the break.

Scammell exchanged passes with Keeton before dodging and weaving his way through the Bourne defence to run in for a try.

Lincoln’s Spanish prop John Aboitiz and captain Leigh Dearden stopping a Bourne attack. Photo: Alan Hancock

Captain Leigh Dearden, Sam Cowles and Josh Brown combining to stop the Bourne attack. Photo: Alan Hancock

A drive forward then put Lincoln over for the final try of the first half. Both Sam Cowles and captain Leigh Dearden got a hand on the ball before the latter was awarded the try, which Richie Dixon converted.

Lincoln put the result beyond doubt in the second half when Matt Walker danced his way over for a try, which Dixon converted.

Lincoln’s Matt Walker running at the Bourne defence. Photo: Alan Hancock

Kevin Lock made his first team debut for Lincoln in the cup semi-final victory against Bourne. Photo: Alan Hancock

Youngsters Kev Lock and Euan Williams came off the bench to make their first team debuts and it wasn’t long before Lincoln were in for their next try.

Another good passing move released Laurence Few, who ran at the defence before offloading for Keeton to go over for his second try.

Lincoln forward Sam Cowles scoring a try against Bourne. Photo: Alan Hancock

Lincoln’s Sam Cowles racing clear of the Bourne defence. Photo: Alan Hancock

Lincoln increased their lead when Sam Cowles showed great gas to run in for a try, which Kirk converted.

Prop David Beveridge produced great skill to beat his man and run in for a try near the corner to complete the scoring.

Lincoln 1st XV captain Leigh Dearden (centre) pictured with debutants Euan Williams (left) and Kev Lock (right). Photo: Joseph Verney

After the match Lincoln’s 1st XV captain Leigh Dearden said: “It was a good performance from the lads with pride for me only added to with the addition of two new players – Kev and Euan.

“They have already put a strong foothold in the Lincoln club and appreciated and displayed what it takes to play first team rugby.”

Lincoln team-mates Jake Keeton, Matt Walker, Ben Sykes and captain Leigh Dearden. Photo: Joseph Verney

Getting to the 2019 final is all the more special for Lincoln as they are hosting this season’s event on Monday, May 6.

Lincoln will face Stamford, who claimed a 24-17 win over Scunthorpe’s 2nd XV in the other semi-final thanks to tries from Robbie Smith, Toby Anderson, Rees Burns and Joe McDonnell.

Joe McDonnell on the way to completing a 50 metre break to score Stamford’s third try against Scunthorpe. Photo: Darren Dolby

Will Harrison scored two tries for Scunthorpe with the other coming from Bram Hollingsworth.

Tries from Tom Dowdy and Ben Jones were not enough to prevent a 24-12 home defeat for Lincoln Imps XV against Paviors.

Try scorer Tom Dowdy in action for Lincoln Imps XV against Paviors. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

After the match try scorer Dowdy said: “It was a hard fought game with cracking heart from the team playing right to the final whistle.

“The team remained composed throughout with strong discipline in the pack putting us on the front foot and giving the backs space to punch holes in the Paviors back line.”

Matt Eggleston in action for Lincoln Imps XV against Paviors. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln’s Grant Laws running at Paviors’ defence. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

The team spirit among the Lincoln Ladies remained high despite the defeat. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln Ladies pushed leaders Coalville all the way in a battling 26-0 defeat which saw the visitors seal the league title.

The match was a lot closer than the score suggests with Lincoln piling pressure on their Leicestershire opponents in what head coach Brian Kelly described as a “phenomenal effort”.

Lincoln Ladies captain Clare Brown running at the Coalville defence. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln Ladies player Lynne Brooker preparing to pass to a team-mate. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

After the match Kelly said: “We met top of the league and they said it was the best rugby they have faced all season.

“We pushed as hard as we could, but couldn’t convert the pressure into points. It was a phenomenal effort from the girls.”

Lincoln’s Erika O’Brien tackling a Coalville player. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Jodie Hill in action for Lincoln Ladies against Coalville. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln Ladies player Rose Buchanan running at the Coalville defence. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln’s 1st XV return to league action with the visit of Southwell on Saturday. Lincoln Imps XV and 3rd XV will host Southwell and Cresswell Crusaders respectively. Lincoln Ladies travel to Amber Valley on Sunday.

Lincoln Touch are looking to recruit new members. Skills and drills take place at Lincoln Rugby Club on Tuesday nights from 7pm-8pm. Social touch then follows 8pm-9pm for any genders and ages 15 to 99. No rugby experience is required.

Lincoln Touch squad at the latest tournament in Cambridge.

OTHER RESULTS

The victorious North Hykeham squad after their cup semi-final victory over Barton & District. Photo: Rebecca Quinlan

Elsewhere in the county, Richard Bevan crossed for a hat-trick of tries as North Hykeham booked their place in the final of the Lincolnshire Intermediate Cup with a 78-3 win over Barton & District.

Stephen Parker, Chris Kirkham and Jordan Jolley grabbed two tries apiece while Rob Booth, James Dickinson and Danny Brown each scored one. Kirkham also kicked nine conversions.

The North Hykeham players huddling together. Photo: Rebecca Quinlan

North Hykeham will face Grimsby in the final, which will be played at Lincoln Rugby Club on May 6.

Player of the match Lycia Elston crossed for two tries as Boston Ladies beat Grimsby 45-5. Hannah Booth also scored two tries with Charlize Arundell, Kari Cotton-Betteridge, Mollie Smith, Kyra Balderstone and Katy Carr each scoring one.

Boston Ladies after their victory over Grimsby. Photo: Luke Fowler

Boston’s Mollie Smith attacks the Grimsby defence. Photo: Luke Fowler