The 1st XV host local rivals Market Rasen on Saturday
Lincoln’s 1st XV endured frustration in their final away league game of the season with a 35-12 defeat at Loughborough.
When the two sides met in the reverse fixture back in December Lincoln won 24-22, but luck was not on their side in Leicestershire.
The frustrating result was compounded by a triple injury blow as George Pomfret (shoulder), Josh Pratt (dislocated thumb) and Ben Sykes (head) were all forced off for the visitors.
Lincoln and Loughborough compete in the scrum. Photo: Joe Naughton
Loughborough crossed for two tries, and added a conversion and two penalties, to take an 18-0 lead in at the break.
The hosts added further scores to increase their lead to 35-0, but Lincoln refused to give up and crossed for two tries later in the second half.
Lincoln were forced to play the final 30 minutes of the match with 14 men when Sykes took a knock to the head. The referee decided Sykes was not allowed to continue and, with no remaining substitutes, Lincoln were left a player down.
Rob O’Donoghue leaps to win a lineout for Lincoln against Loughborough. Photo: Joe Naughton
Lincoln reduced the deficit when James Kirk broke through and raced 30 metres before offloading to Grant Cowe.
Cowe then carried the ball in and was tackled just short of the line before Matt Keeton bounced two players out of the way to score his seventh try of the season.
Lincoln’s 1st XV huddle together after the defeat at Loughborough. Photo: Jodie Hill
Lincoln cut the gap in the score further with a move starting from a scrum 80 metres out. Will Scammell exchanged passes with Matt Walker before sprinting clear for his 14th try of the season.
Dixon successfully slotted over the conversion, but it wasn’t enough to stop Lincoln’s three-match winning run in all competitions from coming to an end.
James Kirk (left) standing proudly with his Lincoln 1st XV team-mates in his last league game for the club. Photo: Joe Naughton
After the match Lincoln’s Malta international James Kirk, who was playing in his final league game for the club before moving away, said: “Gutted to be missing the game against Rasen, but I’m sure the boys will bring the intensity and get the result.
“I’m hoping to make an appearance in the county cup final as it would be great to end on a high.”
An early injury to Luke Brodrick left Lincoln’s 3rd XV a man down during their battling 62-12 defeat away against Keyworth’s first team.
Brodrick was forced off with a shoulder injury after just five minutes and, with no available substitutes, Lincoln had to play the remainder of the game with 14 men.
Lincoln’s tries came from Zeph Chapman and Harry Clarke with Brad Nixon adding one conversion.
After the match fly-half Nixon said: “It was a very tough match. Going down to 14 so early is always going to be tough, but the lads didn’t give up and played with pride. Everyone wishes Luke a speedy recovery.”
A Lincoln old boys side played a friendly against touring team Aylestone Athletic RFC.
Andy Donnor, Darren Rorie and Chris Smith were among the try scorers as a Lincoln old boys side played an entertaining friendly against touring team Aylestone Athletic RFC at Longdales Park.
Bob Slack and his coaching team with the victorious players after Lincoln’s Under-16s won the 2019 NLD Shield.
Ben Hart crossed for two tries as Lincoln’s Under-16s won the 2019 NLD Shield with a 20-10 victory over Mellish. Rauri Canti Brown and Joe Cline scored Lincoln’s other tries.
Coach Bob Slack praised captain Hart for leading by example all year and his coaching team of Tim Hartley, Bob Over and Lee Wright.
Youngsters from Lincoln Rugby Club (Under 6s, 8s, 10s and 12s) performed Flag Waver duties, parading a giant Leicester Tigers flag on the pitch before the Premiership side’s match against Exeter at Welford Road.
Lincoln Ladies duo Ruth Denham and Clare Brown represented NLD on Sunday in a 49-24 victory against East Midlands.
Lincoln Ladies duo Ruth Denham and Clare Brown represented NLD on Sunday in a 49-24 victory against East Midlands.
Lincoln’s 1st XV host local rivals Market Rasen & Louth in their final league game of the season on Saturday. Lincoln Imps XV travel to face West Bridgford.
Ollie Cole crossing for a try during Scunthorpe’s victory over Bridgnorth. Photo: Bill Rhoades
Elsewhere in the county, leaders Scunthorpe took a step closer towards promotion with a 45-12 win over Bridgnorth. Will Harrison and Sam Morgan crossed for two tries with Ollie Cole, Jacob Hardy and Grant Elliott each scoring one. Paul Cook added five conversions.
In Midlands Two East (North) Market Rasen & Louth claimed a 27-17 home victory over Ilkeston thanks to two tries from Josh White. George Grant and Ben Young grabbed a try apiece with the latter adding two conversions and a penalty.
In Midlands Three East (South) Bourne won 22-12 at Rushden & Higham thanks to a try from Chris Greenwood, which Sam Evison converted. Evison also kicked five penalties. Stamford were awarded a home walkover against Biggleswade.
Try scorer Chris Greenwood in action for Bourne against Rushden & Higham. Photo: Alan Hancock
Dan Mackie crossed for a hat-trick of tries as Sleaford claimed a 46-7 win over Bakewell Mannerians in Midlands Three East (North). Dave Titmus, Sam Harris, Conor Bradley and Rob Titmus grabbed a try apiece with Mackie adding four conversions and a penalty. Spalding drew 31-31 against Ashfield.
Kesteven’s 1st XV lost 36-27 at league leaders Nottingham Casuals. Aaron Whittaker, Dan Turner, Gav Purvis and Harry Cox crossed for Kesteven’s tries with Ben Whinney adding two conversions and a penalty. Tom Wood, Ed Cole, Charlie Pirie and Josh Udom grabbed a try apiece as Kesteven’s 2nd XV won the Security Plus Pennant Group 2 League with a 20-12 win over Bingham.
Grimsby’s 1st XV after their 117-5 win over Worksop. Photo: Jo Moore
Grimsby crossed for 19 tries to move top of Midlands Four East (North) with a thumping 117-5 win over Worksop.
Lewis Cartwright and Kieran Austin-Thomas grabbed five and four tries respectively. Evan Picking and Allan Oliver crossed for two tries apiece, while Pete Shaw, Mike Porter, John Mansfield, Colin Matthews, Tom Roberts and Kieron Moore each scored one.
Nathan Watson kicked six conversions with Brad Treacher and Cartwright adding three and two respectively.
Try scorer Joe Barker in action for Cleethorpes against North Hykeham. Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas
Cleeethorpes kept up their slim hopes of promotion with a 39-17 victory at North Hykeham.
Full-back Joe Barker crossed for two tries with Andy Carruthers, Isaac Machon and Matty Searle each scoring one. Harry Lightfoot kicked four conversions and two penalties.
North Hykeham’s Danny Brown running at the Cleethorpes defence. Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas
Jordan Jolley, Michael Wainwright and Mark Munton scored North Hykeham’s tries with Rob Booth adding one conversion.
Hykeham’s vice-captain Ross O’Loughlin helped the RAF Vultures beat the Navy Mariners 29-5.
North Hykeham’s 2nd XV after winning their last game of the season. Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas
Blayne Ford’s two tries helped North Hykeham’s 2nd XV to a 29-19 win over Gainsborough.
Robert Sturge, Chris Limming and Alex Morley crossed for Hykeham’s other tries with the latter adding two conversions.
Try scorers for North Hykeham’s 2nd XV – Blayne Ford, Alex Morley, Chris Limming and Rob Sturge. Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas
Kierron Smyth crossed for a hat-trick as Gainsborough’s 1st XV moved off the bottom of the table with a 30-14 win at Meden Vale. Ben Watson also grabbed a try with Robbie Goodyear kicking Gainsborough’s remaining points.
Ben Whitwam scored two tries as Skegness claimed a 45-21 home win over Amber Valley. Captain Matthew Deane, Lewis Haigh, Nyle Chapman, Dan Halliday and Rikki Bovey grabbed a try apiece, with the latter kicking five conversions.
A brace of tries from Dan Piggins helped Boston to a 39-31 victory at Ollerton. Jaron Cowern and John Hummel both crossed for tries and a penalty try was also awarded for the visitors. Matt Bray kicked three conversions and two penalties.
Fewer cases but more deaths this week
There have been 1,643 new coronavirus cases and 83 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire this week – compared to 1,670 cases and 71 deaths last week.
Some 304 new cases and 17 deaths were reported in Greater Lincolnshire on Friday – the third day in a row with 17 deaths.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 252 new cases in Lincolnshire, 28 in North Lincolnshire and 24 in North East Lincolnshire.
On Friday, 14 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire, two in North East Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported six new local hospital deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, four at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and one at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals. Some 51 hospital deaths have been recorded this week, compared to 48 last week.
On Friday, national cases increased by 40,261 to 3,583,907, while deaths rose by 1,401 to 95,981.
Lincolnshire health bosses estimate that 80-90% of new coronavirus cases in the county are now a mutant, more infectious strain of COVID.
Figures earlier this week said that by January 8, 59.2% of cases had confirmed the new virus — up from 36% by the end of 2020 — and now county leaders estimate the number to be even higher.
The COVID mutation that has taken over most new cases in Lincolnshire is not only more infectious, but also more deadly, it has been revealed.
NHS bosses are hoping to offer all care homes in Lincolnshire the first COVID vaccine dose by the end of the week. This comes as almost 5.4 million people have received jabs nationally.
Director of Nursing at Lincolnshire CCG Martin Fahy told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that about three quarters has been completed so far.
A single week in December saw Lincolnshire deaths reach 13 times the yearly average, explained local health bosses frustrated with COVID deniers.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Director of Public Health Professor Derek Ward explained that the week including December 14 would usually see an average of 23 deaths, but 2020 say 301 deaths that week.
In national news, there are no plans to pay everyone in England who tests positive for COVID-19 £500 to self-isolate, No 10 has said.
The PM’s official spokesman said there was already a £500 payment available for those on low incomes who could not work from home and had to isolate.
The coronavirus R number in the UK has fallen sharply since last week, suggesting the lockdown is slowing the spread of coronavirus.
The R, which refers to the number of people that an infected person will pass COVID-19 on to, is between 0.8 and 1 across the UK, according to the figures released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
This means for every 10 people infected with COVID-19, they will pass the virus on to between eight and 10 others.
Lincoln City has taken the top spot with the highest infection rate in Greater Lincolnshire.
This week saw South Holland at the top which was put down to two outbreaks in care homes with up to 100 cases. South Holland has now dropped to third place in the region.
Greater Lincolnshire still remains way below the national average infection rate of 472.9, with just 217.3 per 100,000 of the population.
Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate over the last seven days up to January 22 according to the government dashboard:
Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 15 to Jan 22. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
45,645 cases (up 304)
1,760 deaths (up 17)
of which 1,047 hospital deaths (up 11)
3,583,907 UK cases, 95,981 deaths
The charity project turned into a business
A Lincoln couple will reopen their independent pizzeria at a new location on Friday night, with an array of main and signature pizzas and Belgian waffles.
Weirdough’s Pizza Emporium will open at Tap & Spile on Hungate from 5pm on Friday, January 22, but it initially started out as a charity project making Neo-Neapolitan pizzas.
Husband and wife team Matt and Rachel Barnes have lived in Lincoln for around five years and last year they wanted to do something to raise money for the NHS.
Matt starting to prepare a pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Kneading the dough. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt used to work at a Lincoln school, but they were closed to most pupils for a few weeks in March, so he started working on a project and Weirdoughs Pizza Emporium was born.
It was initially run from The West End Tap from the end of last summer, but in January the pub announced it would not reopen again under its current management, so Weirdoughs had to find a new premises.
The base ready for the next stage of the pizza making. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt putting the pizza into the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The tasty pizza in the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Adding the finishing touches to the pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
All profits made from the food sold – just under £2,000 – went to the NHS. The couple also did some drop offs at the coronavirus ward at Lincoln County Hospital.
Matt was made redundant at the end of May and Rachel was due to give birth four weeks after that.
It was a hectic time for the couple as Rachel, who works at a primary school in Peterborough, would be on maternity leave and Matt would soon have no income.
The Margz main pizza – San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The Weirdough – San Marzano tomatoes, parmesan, Emmental, mozzarella, red onions, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, spicy Nduja sausage, rocket, balsamic glaze and garlic drizzle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As the pizzas were working so well and following feedback from customers, the couple decided to turn it into a business.
Dan Neale, who previously ran the West End Tap, has joined the Weirdoughs team of four as a pizza chef.
Or why not try a Create Your Own Weirdoughs Waffle? | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The dough is homemade 24 hours ahead to make their special main and signature pizzas, while customers can also order a create your own Weirdoughs waffle.
The Belgian waffles come with a variety of toppings such as Kinder Bueno, Crunchie, and Galaxy Caramel, with sauces including white and milk chocolate, salted caramel and toffee, with ice cream.
Weirdoughs will open Friday to Sunday 5pm-9pm and Wednesday to Thursday 5pm-8pm for takeaway or delivery.
Pre-ordering is advised via Facebook or Instagram or by calling 07734 297 035, with the latter option preferred if it is after 4.30pm.
Owner Matt Barnes will help meet your pizza needs. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Delivery is available to the following areas: Ermine, St Giles, Monks Road, High Street, Bailgate, Boultham, West End and the city centre.
Weirdoughs will try and accommodate other areas too, but it may incur additional charges, while the takeaway will also be joining Uber Eats in the near future.
Weirdoughs will be based inside the Tap & Spile pub in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Once pubs are allowed to reopen again, customers at the Tap & Spile will able to order Weirdoughs food straight to their table and Matt said he can’t wait for people to able to experience it that way.
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