Rugby Report: Celebrations as Lincoln’s first team win county cup

Lincoln’s 1st XV were crowned as the 2019 Lincolnshire County Cup champions after a thrilling 34-10 victory over Stamford.

Lincoln Rugby Club hosted three cup finals on May bank holiday Monday. Lincoln and Grimsby’s 1st XVs and Kesteven Colts won their respective finals.

Lincolnshire Senior County Cup Final

Lincoln 34 Stamford 10

Lincoln opened the scoring after 18 minutes when quick passing set up Lewis Wilson, who stepped his man and ran in for a try. Richie Dixon slotted over the conversion.

The hosts increased their lead seven minutes later when Will Scammell ran onto his own kick through to go over for his 15th try of the season.

Lincoln moved further ahead in the second half when Scammell broke through the defence and offloaded for Aiden Mason to run in for a try.

Lincoln forward Grant Cowe was shown a yellow card before George Nairn went over for Stamford’s first try.

Dixon showed nerves of steel to slot over a penalty to put Lincoln further in front, but Stamford soon reduced the deficit when Dan Heard ran in for a try.

Lincoln’s Spanish prop John Aboitiz went over for a try in the corner after some great team play. Dixon added the extras.

Some superb handling skills released Matt Walker who ran at the defence and was tackled just short of the line. Few then reacted quickly to pile over for a try, which Dixon converted.

After the match centre Joe Moore, who was making his final appearance for the club, said: “I am incredibly proud to end three and a half years at Lincoln with a cup final win.

“We came into the game with a plan. The boys not only executed it but came out with great intensity and ultimately that energy really showed.”

Stamford head coach Matt Albinson said: “We played some good front up rugby. We created a lot of opportunities in the first half, but didn’t execute them. Lincoln capitalised and finished well and they had a kicker making every five into seven.

“We learnt more from this whole season than in a cup final and I am very proud of all the boys.”

Lincolnshire Intermediate Cup Final

North Hykeham 12 Grimsby 17

North Hykeham opened the scoring when Luke Barrett broke through the defence before offloading for Mark Munton to run in for a try, which Chris Kirkham converted.

Grimsby’s Kieran Austin-Thomas intercepted a loose pass and ran in for a try, which Brad Treacher converted to level the score before half-time.

Both sides continued to battle hard and the defences were excellent in a scoreless second half. North Hykeham’s James Archdale came close after a superb break, but he was tackled just short of the try line.

Grimsby took the lead in the first half of extra time as their Number Eight Luke Chaplin ran in for a try, which Treacher converted.

North Hykeham cut the gap to just two points when quick passing put Gareth Alder-Woolf over for a try in the corner.

Treacher slotted over a decisive penalty in the second half of extra time as Grimsby completed their league and cup double.

After the match Grimsby head coach Tom Roberts said: “These boys have come on in leaps and bounds this season doing a league and cup double, which means a lot to the club and everything to the lads.

“A few tears were shed as I, the coaches and club members are very proud of the boys. Credit to North Hykeham for a very close game.”

North Hykeham vice-captain Ross O’Loughlin added: “I am very proud of every man who wore the shirt from 1 to 22.

“It was a close game and we didn’t quite execute our plan, but credit to Grimsby and we’ll come back stronger next year.”

Junior Cup Final – Lincoln Colts 3 Kesteven Colts 12

Lincoln performed well in the first half and a penalty from Jack Randall gave them a 3-0 halftime lead.

Kesteven came back strongly in the second half with tries from Ollie Lowe and Jamie Bishop, along with Sam Hawkins’ conversion, securing a win for the visitors.

Lincoln coach Paul Crowe said: “We were resilient in the first half with the most possession, but in the second half we didn’t compete in the rucks and didn’t execute our game plan. Overall it was a great season and I am very proud of the boys.”

Kesteven Colts’ head coach Andrew Singer said: “Credit to the lads on both sides for a hard-fought game. Defensively we were awesome and the win is a great way to end the season.”

Ladies rugby and charity game

A Lincolnshire Barbarians side lost 47-5 at Boston over the weekend. Hannah Booth grabbed a hat-trick for Boston, with Hannah Dennis scoring two and Charlize Arundell and Lycia Elston each getting one. Booth added six conversions. Kellie Pyart scored Lincolnshire Barbarian’s try.

Lincoln Ladies duo Lynne Brooker and Linda McLean played for RAF Women’s Rugby League side in a historic Challenge Cup match against Leigh Miners at Lincoln Rugby Club.

In what is the RAF side’s first year in the competition, Brooker and McLean were among the try scorers in a 28-18 victory. The team will host Bradford Bulls in the second round.

Lincoln Ladies will be hosting an Inter Warrior session at the club for any interested new players on Saturday, May 18 from 11am-12pm.

On the same day the club will be hosting the inaugural Tom Barton Challenge Shield. Lincoln Ladies will play Sleaford Ladies at 1pm before The Comeback Coaches against the third team (3pm kick-off). The day is to raise money for the RAF Benevolence Fund and also show support to Tom Barton for everything he has done for the club.

Grimsby Lynx Ladies will host their Inner Warrior session on May 25 at 12pm. Sleaford Ladies’ event is on May 15 (from 7pm) and Boston Ladies’ Inner Warrior session takes place on the evening of May 14 (from 7.30pm).

Lincoln Rugby Club has enjoyed recent success off the field too. The club began a partnership with Crossfit Witham Lincoln in April, who have been putting the players through their paces and will be driving them through the 2019/20 season.

The club, in partnership with the University of Lincoln, held its first coaching conference “Cultivating Learning Agility” at the weekend with big success. International speakers Richard Cheetham MBE, John Fletcher and Warren Abrahams provided coaching presentations and practicals.