Rugby Report: Lincoln duo raise over £600 in charity match

Over £600 was raised and heads were shaved as Lincoln Rugby Club hosted a charity game over Easter Weekend.

Owen Mitchinson and Ewan McCabe-Hogan organised the event to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. Lincoln’s Colts sides from 2017 and 2016 faced each other in the charity match on Saturday, April 20.

Jake Keeton attempting a tackle on Kodi Strand in the charity match. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Action from the charity match. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

The duo pledged to shave their heads if the fundraising total surpassed £500. They raised over £615, including over £150 from a raffle. There was even fancy dress including some players wearing jockey outfits for a race.

On the pitch it was a closely fought contest with some great tries including a couple of impressive solo tries from Mitchinson and Brandon Hogan. The score finished 22-15 in favour of the 2017 Colts.

Owen Mitchinson in action during the charity match. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Event organisers Owen Mitchinson and Ewan McCabe-Hogan shaved their heads for charity.

Owen said: “The idea sparked around January when I was applying to run Tough Mudder Midlands in May on behalf of Prostate Cancer UK. But it really began with me losing my grandad at Christmas five years ago who was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I thought with it being five years since we lost him that it was about time I did something. When applying I was told I had to raise £300 in order to run on their behalf and I had some rough ideas for fundraising at that point.”

Owen Mitchinson getting ready to have his head shaved for charity. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

The end result. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

He added: “I was so overwhelmed by the generosity of people at the club and how willing they were to dig deep for such a great cause.

“Everyone had beers in hand cheering, smiling and clapping from start to finish and it seriously made all the hard work so worthwhile. Our heads may be shaved but hearts are definitely full, I could not have asked for a better day.”

The Hogan brothers Brandon and Ewan. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

There was also a fun fancy dress race. Photo: Katie Nesbitt

Lincoln youth on tour

Lincoln Colts after their tour game against St Austell. Photo: Jason Dark

Lincoln’s current Colts side travelled on tour Cornwall over the weekend. Lincoln battled hard against a physical and well-drilled Newquay team before eventually succumbing to a 24-14 defeat. Lincoln’s tries were scored by Kev Hoey and Kaie Turner.

Ben Manderfield scored Lincoln’s try in a 38-7 defeat against St Austell, with captain and prop Ben Crowe scoring the conversion.

Lincoln Colts captain Ben Crowe. Photo: Jason Dark

The defeat didn’t stop a great team bonding weekend which also included bodyboarding and watching Cornish Pirates’ victory over Yorkshire Carnegie.

Lincoln Colts’ coaches Jason Dark, Paul Crowe and Brett Randell were proud of their team’s efforts. Jason said: “The tour has been great. The team bonding is great ahead of the final.”

Lincoln Colts host Kesteven in the junior County Cup Final on May Bank Holiday Monday, May 6. Lincoln’s senior 1st XV play in the main event on that day in their cup final against Stamford.

Lincoln’s Under-16s on tour on Holland. Photo: Tim Everett

Lincoln’s Under-16s went on tour to Holland and claimed two wins out of two on Saturday. Lincoln competed in the International Youth Rugby Festival on Easter Sunday where they won one out of four games in a fun-filled day.

Other Results

In Midlands Two East (North) Market Rasen & Louth ended their league season in style with a 64-19 win over bottom club Ashby.

Tom Stephens crossed for four tries and Adam Goodwin scored two. Jake Pryer, Ben Young, Josh White and Jack McKay grabbed a try apiece with Tom Alldridge adding seven conversions.

The result saw Market Rasen finish in fifth position in the table, while Lincoln ended the campaign in seventh.