Rugby Report: Lincoln’s team spirit shines through despite defeat

A resilient Lincoln Imps XV battled hard before succumbing to a 31-7 defeat at Newark in the Security Plus Pennant Group 2S.

Grant Laws, who scored a hat-trick in the cup clash at Mansfield, was on the scoresheet again as Lincoln gelled well and showed great teamwork despite the result.

Newark scored the first points of the match with a penalty try in a low scoring first half.

The visitors’ strong defence kept Newark out until Sam Booth slotted over a penalty to give the hosts a 10-0 lead going in at the break.

Newark extended their lead when Alex Jackson went over for a try from a maul, which Booth converted.

Lincoln reduced the deficit when Luke Brodrick took a quick penalty on the 22. The Lincoln captain then drew a defender in before Laws powered through a few tackles to go over for a try. Brodrick successfully slotted over the conversion.

The visitors continued to battle hard, but Newark put the result beyond doubt with two more tries before the end.

After a maul the ball was shipped out wide for Matt Walton to go over for a try, which Booth converted.

Newark completed the scoring after carrying the scrum from the five metre line and Ian Tomlinson piled over for a try. Booth maintained his 100% day with the boot by adding the conversion.

After the match Imps XV captain Luke Brodrick said: “The lads played really well as a team again and defended well against a strong side.

“The weather didn’t help us and slowed our game right down, but overall the team played well.”

Lincoln Colts’ Reds won 45-10 at Kesteven thanks to two tries apiece from Harry Whittaker and Ben Manderfield. Lloyd Buck, Ben Crowe, William Dark, Luke Wells and Ben Wootton also scored tries for Lincoln.

Lincoln Colts’ Greens lost by just a single point – 22-21 – in their clash at Grimsby. Kai Turner scored two tries for Lincoln. Charlie Porter-Robinson also crossed for a try, with Jack Dark kicking three conversions.

Ryan Lamond, Ethan Rogers, Taylor Washington and Jacob Hodder scored Grimsby’s tries, with the latter also adding one conversion.

Lincoln’s 1st XV’s home league match against Newark was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Lincoln Ladies saw their home RFU Cup clash against Amber Valley on Sunday called off by the opposition.

Other Results

In National Two (North), tries from Jacob Hardy and Ben Hyde couldn’t prevent Scunthorpe from falling to a 28-10 home defeat against Hinckley.

Scunthorpe Ladies saw their cup clash at Sandal postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Market Rasen & Louth’s three-match winning run in the league came to an end in a 15-0 defeat away against Loughborough in Midlands Two East (North).

In Midlands Three East (South), Bourne claimed a 17-0 win at Northampton BBOB. Sam Thornburn, Jack Berry and Jamie Colangelo scored Bourne’s tries, with Sam Evison adding one conversion.

Stamford were narrowly beaten 19-12 in their derby clash at Oakham. Player coach Austin Schwarz and Dan Griffin scored Stamford’s tries in what was only their first league defeat of the season, and Richard Thompson added one conversion. Stamford’s 2nd XV won 22-0 at Oakham.

Gavin Sharman scored the visitors’ only try of the game as Spalding lost 24-5 at Queens Bedford. Spalding’s 2nd XV had a better afternoon with a 12-7 victory over Boston. Macaulay Crane and Danny Coupe scored Spalding’s tries. Adam Overton scored Boston’s try, which was converted by Bruno Hall.

In Midlands Three East (North), Kesteven suffered a narrow 5-3 defeat at Sileby Town. Matt Grinney kicked a penalty for Kesteven, who saw two tries disallowed by the referee.

Grimsby’s match at Ashby was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.

In Midlands Four East (North), leaders Boston remain unbeaten after claiming their seventh league win in a row with a 17-0 home victory against Meden Vale.

Matthew Deane and Jaron Cowern scored Boston’s tries, with Matt Bray kicking two conversions and a penalty.

Boston Ladies’ home cup clash against Mellish was postponed.

Max Batchelor crossed for two tries as Sleaford claimed a 31-7 home win against Ollerton.

Sam Harris, Leon Stobart and Shaun Fisher each scored a try, and Wayne Harley kicked three conversions.

Cleethorpes secured a narrow 19-14 home win against East Retford thanks to two tries from Alex Nabais. Ben Shaw also grabbed a try for Cleethorpes, with Harry Lightfoot kicking two conversions.

North Hykeham and Gainsborough’s games against Amber Valley and Chesterfield Panthers respectively both fell victim to the weather and were postponed.

Worksop were awarded a home walkover against Skegness, who were unable to travel due to unavailability and not having a front row.