Rugby Report: Slow start costs Lincoln’s 1st XV in away defeat

Lincoln’s 1st XV had a frustrating afternoon on the road after a poor opening 20 minutes proved costly in a 43-19 defeat at Matlock.

The visitors found themselves 19-0 down inside the opening 20 minutes and were dealt another blow when Matt Walker was forced off injured.

Lincoln weathered the storm and reduced the deficit later in the first half through youngster Louie Cooke, who evaded four defenders on his way to scoring a great try.

Richie Dixon successfully slotted over the conversion as Lincoln trailed 19-7 going in at the break.

Lincoln, who gave a debut to Ben Jones, improved in the second half and cut the gap in the score further when prop David Beveridge went over for a try from close range. Dixon once again added the extras.

Matlock crossed for three tries to stop any hope of a Lincoln comeback, but the visitors kept battling on and managed to get another score before the end.

Ollie Halligan excellently collected a juggling ball before popping it out to Matt Keeton, who bumped two tackles to leave Lincoln with an overlap outside.

Keeton then passed to Beveridge, who shipped it out for Owen Mitchinson to step three players and go over for a try.

Matlock went over for a converted try with the final play of the match to complete the scoring.

After the match Lincoln coach Paul Clarke said: “After a disappointing opening 20 minutes, in which we gifted Matlock 19 points, we began to show our mettle, finishing the half with some structured rugby, as is our capability.

“Once we strung some phases of play together, Matlock struggled to live with us, hence we scored our opening try. We shall continue to work on those positive aspects of our game, seeking to keep the simple errors to a minimum.”

Grant Laws grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Lincoln’s Imps XV raced into a 34-7 lead at Mansfield in the NLD 2nd XV Cup, but the match was later abandoned due to a serious injury to an opposition player.

Joe Christopher and Kodi Strand scored a try apiece, while Luke Brodrick added three conversions and a penalty.

It was Lincoln’s best performance of the season so far, but it was cut short when a head/neck injury to a Mansfield player saw the match abandoned after 57 minutes. Everyone at Lincoln wishes him a speedy recovery.

After the match captain Luke Brodrick said: “The boys gelled really well and worked as a team. All the tries came from amazing support.

“Both the backs and forwards made critical breaks in the line that led to tries. Grant (Laws) and Eddy (Jopling) carried well and I am proud of the boys.”

Lincoln’s Colts (Reds) won 67-0 away against Oakham thanks to two tries apiece from Ben Crowe and Matt Penney.

Harry Attfield, Jack Dark, Daniel Goodwin, Jack Randell, Ollie Keen, Henry McCartney and Jess Wright also scored tries, with the latter adding six conversions.

Other Results

In National Two (North), tries from captain Tom Foster, Ollie Cole and Elliott Caunt, along with a Paul Cook conversion, couldn’t prevent Scunthorpe from falling to a 45-17 defeat at Stourbridge.

Market Rasen & Louth claimed an impressive 32-13 home win over Long Eaton in Midlands Two East (North).

Captain Ben Chamberlin, Jake Pryer, Mike Starling, Dave Starling , Marius Berger and Nick Harvey all scored tries for Market Rasen, with Will Pridgeon adding one conversion.

In Midlands Three East (South), leaders Stamford claimed an emphatic 51-5 victory against Northampton BBOB with nine different try scorers.

Captain Robbie Smith, James Green, Dan Griffin, Jack Jones, Lewis Nettleton, Mike Kendall, Gareth Ramsden, Harry Bentley and Iain Downer scored Stamford’s tries. Ollie Johnson kicked two conversions and Bentley added one.

Josh Lynch and Sam Thornburn each scored a try as Bourne drew 15-15 against Huntingdon & District.

Sam Evison added one a conversion and a penalty.

Spalding battled hard before succumbing to a narrow 34-24 home defeat against Oakham. Aaron Coupe, Callum Lewis, Jason Steels and Ben Shields scored the host’s tries, with Connal Mason adding two conversions.

In Midlands Three East (North), a hat-trick from Aaron Whittaker helped Kesteven to a 25-12 home win over Rolls Royce. Kesteven’s other points came from Matt Grinney’s two tries.

Grimsby were awarded a home walkover after their match against Sileby Town was called off.

Grimsby Lynx Ladies won 34-0 at Belper thanks to a hat-trick of tries for Katie Pye, who also added one conversion. Paige Donnelly grabbed two tries, while Sophie Plater and Kathryn Turner each scored one.

In Midlands Four East (North), leaders Boston maintained their unbeaten start to the league season with a 27-17 victory in the top-of-the-table clash at Gainsborough.

John Hummel, Paul Beard and Josh Cook scored Boston’s tries, with Matt Bray kicking three conversions and two penalties.

Tom Mell grabbed two tries for Gainsborough, who are now fifth, and Robbie Goodyear added two conversions and a penalty.

Alex Nabais and Isaac Machon both crossed for hat-tricks as Cleethorpes claimed a thumping 66-7 win over Worksop.

Dan McDaid grabbed two tries and Phill Stark and Harry Parker each scored one. Harry Lightfoot kicked eight conversions.

Danny Brown crossed for a brace of tries as North Hykeham beat Tupton 33-14.

Nathan Barker, Jordan Jolley and Gareth Alder-Woolf also scored tries for North Hykeham, with man-of-the-match Rob Booth adding four conversions.

Two tries from Dave Titmus helped Sleaford to a 24-5 victory at Nottinghamians.

Curtis Key and Courtney Stirling each scored a try and Wayne Harley kicked two conversions.

Sleaford’s 2nd XV also had a successful day with a 30-17 win against Newark’s third team in the NLD Junior Challenge Shield.

Jack Osborne grabbed two tries for Sleaford and Shaun Kelly and Lewis North each scored one. Shaun Kelly and Tim O’Sullivan both kicked one conversion, with the latter also adding a penalty. Jamie Armstrong also successfully slotted over a penalty for Sleaford.

Skegness’ match at Ollerton was called off and a home walkover was awarded to the hosts.