Rugby Report: Season begins with cup win for Lincoln’s 1st XV

Tries from Euan Kelly, Laurence Few, Josh Pratt and Matt Walker saw Lincoln’s 1st XV begin their season in style with a 31-17 home victory over Newark in the NLD Cup.

Lincoln opened the scoring after just eight minutes when Newark’s kick was charged down and Euan Kelly chased the loose ball before going over for a try. Richie Dixon successfully slotted over the conversion.

Dixon slotted over a penalty shortly after the half hour mark to increase Lincoln’s lead to 10-0 going in at the break.

Lincoln increased their lead within eight minutes of the restart when Few ran a superb line to take Dixon’s offload and go over for a try. Dixon added the extras.

Newark reduced the deficit when a driving maul put Dave Garland over for an unconverted try.

Lincoln full-back Kevin Lock was shown a yellow card for a high tackle before Newark reduced the deficit to just five points.

A few passes released Billy Charles out wide to go over for a try near the corner, which Alex O’Dell converted. A late tackle from Jake Keeton after the try was scored led to a yellow card being shown to the Lincoln winger.

Lincoln increased their lead with two converted tries to put the result beyond doubt.

New first team captain Lewis Wilson made an excellent run upfield before offloading to Ben Sykes, who set up Walker to weave through the Newark defence for a great try. Dixon once again added the extras.

Another great run from Wilson soon released Pratt, who outpaced the Newark defence to score a try which Dixon converted.

Newark scored a late consolation when prop Mason Coulam went over for a try near the corner in the final minutes of the match.

After the match new Lincoln captain Wilson said: “We got our rewards for some good pressure and I’m proud of the lads’ work-rate, especially when going down to 13 men when we really had to dig in deep.

“We showed we have the quality to score from anywhere on the park if we execute our game plan.”

Lincoln’s 1st XV will be back in action on Saturday with a trip to Pinley in the first round of the RFU Intermediate Cup. Lincoln Ladies begin their league campaign with a trip to Driffield on Sunday.

Other Results

Tries from JJ Roberts and Jamie Colangelo guided Bourne to a 15-13 win at Southwell in the NLD Cup. Sam Evison added one conversion and a penalty.

Market Rasen & Louth claimed a 15-8 home victory over Scunthorpe’s 2nd XV in the NLD Shield. Jake Pryer and Matt Ashton scored tries for the hosts, with Ben Youngs adding a conversion and a penalty.

Stamford were also in action in the NLD Shield and suffered a narrow 17-10 defeat away at Spalding. Stamford’s tries were scored by Jack Jones and Austin Schwarz.

Lewis Newsum grabbed two tries as Grimsby won 26-13 away against Skegness in the first round of the NLD Plate. Evan Picking and Dane Briggs also scored tries for Grimsby, with Brad Treacher adding three conversions. Skegness’ points came via tries from Sean Cummings and Dean Brian and Lewis Haigh’s penalty.

North Hykeham were also in action in the NLD Plate with a 25-13 victory at Ollerton. Jordan Jolley, Mark Munton, Sam Cooke and Paul Bud scored the tries for North Hykeham. Rob Booth added a conversion and a penalty.

In the same competition Boston won 27-13 away at Cleethorpes thanks to tries from Josh Cook and Paul Beard. Matt Bray added four penalties and a conversion, while Rowan Mason also kicked a penalty.

Scott Brown scored Cleethorpes’ try with Steven Broderick adding a conversion and two penalties.

Brad Beresford grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Gainsborough won 52-7 away against Scunthorpe’s 3rd XV in a friendly. Man-of-the-match George Tooke, Matt Meadows, Daniel Chadwick and Graeme Chappalow also scored tries for the visitors, with Robbie Goodyear adding seven conversions and a penalty. Martin Roberts and Richard Greenway scored tries as Gainsborough’s 2nd XV lost 64-14 at Retford.

Debutant Joe McGregor scored a try, which Tim O’Sullivan converted, as Sleaford’s 2nd XV lost away against Newark’s third team in a friendly.

Sophie Plater and Katie Pye grabbed two tries apiece as Grimsby Ladies claimed a 44-22 away victory at Kesteven.

Kathryn Turner, Becca Tacey, Nina Moore and Laura Galley also crossed for tries for Grimsby, with Pye kicking two conversions.

Beth Toone, Ami Boneham and Ella Tapson scored tries for Kesteven, who were also awarded a penalty try. Zoe Osborn kicked one conversion for Kesteven.