The Lincoln Ladies players show great unity with a team huddle after their victory over Boston. Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Linda McLean crossed for a hat-trick of tries as Lincoln Ladies secured back-to-back league victories with a 31-3 home win over Boston.
Lincoln opened the scoring after 10 minutes when full-back McLean took a short pass on the crash from Ruth Denham, before powering through the defence for a try. Lynne Brooker-Brown successfully slotted over the conversion.
Linda McLean crossing for one of her three tries in what was a superb performance by the full-back. Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Some good work by the Lincoln backs broke down the Boston defence before McLean beat several defenders to go over for her second try of the match. Lynne Brooker-Brown added the extras.
Boston captain Hannah Booth slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit to 14-3 going in at the break.
Boston captain Hannah Booth putting in a tackle on Lincoln’s Lynne Brooker-Brown. Photo: Mike Lincoln
Lincoln continued to pile on the pressure in the second half. Clare Brooker-Brown intercepted a wayward pass on the halfway line to storm to within five metres of the try line.
The ball eventually found its way out to Harriet Fluck out on the left, who outpaced the defence to go over for an unconverted try.
Lincoln Ladies winger Harriet Fluck putting in a tackle against Boston. Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Kellie Pyart in action for Lincoln Ladies against Boston. Photo: Mike Lincoln
Lincoln’s Kellie Pyart then saw a try disallowed, but the hosts were not to be denied soon after.
Clare Brooker-Brown stepped inside the centre and outpaced the defence from 25 metres out for a try under the posts. Lynne Brooker-Brown added the extras.
Lynne Brooker-Brown successfully kicked three conversions for Lincoln Ladies against Boston. Photo: Mike Lincoln
Lincoln completed the scoring with a try in the last play of the match. A dropped ball was collected by McLean and the full-back outpaced the cover defence to complete her hat-trick.
It was a great result for second-placed Lincoln with several impressive performances, including from Jade Morgan, whose defensive effort at scrum-half saw her named as both the Lincoln coach’s and opposition’s player of the match.
Lincoln’s Jade Morgan was named as the Player of the Match. Photo: Katie Nesbitt
After the match Lincoln Ladies head coach Brian Kelly said: “The girls’ defensive effort was fantastic again as they went for a second week without conceding a try.
“They worked their socks off and caused a lot of disruption to the Boston attack. I’m really proud of how hard they work for each other.”
Lincoln Ladies and Boston getting ready to contest a scrum. Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Boston captain Hannah Booth, who Lincoln named as the opposition’s Player of the Match, added: “It was a great test for our new team against a very experienced and established side.
“We learnt some valuable lessons that we will look to implement in our game for the rest of the season.”
Lincoln Ladies scrum-half Jade Morgan in action against Boston. Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Lincoln’s Men’s 3rd XV battled bravely before succumbing to a 24-5 defeat away against Cleethorpes’ second team.
Lincoln’s only try came when Alex Brodrick took a quick tap penalty and offloaded the ball to John Walsh. Walsh was tackled before Chris Smith’s pick and go to the left set up a try for youngster Jaden Harvey.
Luke Wells grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Lincoln’s Colts claimed an emphatic 65-0 win over Cleethorpes in the National Under-18s Cup on Sunday.
Harry Whittaker and Ruari Catani-Brown crossed for two tries apiece. Ben Manderfield, Ben Wootton, William Dark and Jack Randell each scored a try, with the latter adding five conversions.
Lincoln’s Under-15s won 24-17 against Boston thanks to two tries from Thomas Aubrey. Eddie Gibson also scored a try and Joe Thompson added three conversions and a penalty.
Lincoln’s Under-16s lost 26-7 against Gainsborough. Lincoln’s Under-14s joined forces with Boston to take on Market Rasen on Sunday. Despite the wet weather a great game was played by all, with Rasen winning the match six tries to two.
Lincoln’s Under-8s, 10s, 11s, 12s and 13s took part in the big flag waving at Welford Road ahead of Leicester Tigers’ Premiership defeat against Northampton Saints.
Lincoln’s Under-8s, 10s, 11s, 12s and 13s took part in the big flag waving at Welford Road. Photo: Claire Jones
Other Results
In the Women’s NC 2 North (East), Scunthorpe Ladies lost 5-0 at home against Doncaster, with the only try of the match coming after 32 minutes.
Scunthorpe held their opponents off for the rest of the match and their defensive organisation was strong, but they were unable to get on the scoreboard.
Kesteven’s trip to Hull Ionian Ladies was called off.
Men’s Rugby – Lincolnshire sides
In National Two (North) Scunthorpe suffered a 59-17 home defeat against Tynedale. Josh Bird, Colin Chapman and James Walker all scored tries for the hosts, with Will Robinson kicking one conversion.
Spalding’s Willis Ingleby powering through on his way to a try against Mellish. Photo: Adrian Smith Photography
Spalding emerged victorious with a 27-24 home win against Mellish in the fourth round of the RFU Senior Vase.
Willis Ingleby and Harry Brown crossed for two tries apiece. Gav Sharman scored Spalding’s other try and Conall Mason added one conversion.
Harry Brown at the bottom scoring the try which secured the win for Spalding. Photo: Adrian Smith Photography
Gainsborough’s 1st XV players huddle together after their win against Amber Valley. Photo: Ruby Goude
In Midlands Four East (North), second-placed Gainsborough’s 1st XV won 25-8 away against Amber Valley.
Brad Beresford and Ben Watson each scored a try for Gainsborough, who were also awarded a penalty try. Robbie Goodyear kicked two penalties and a conversion.
Gainsborough’s 2nd XV lost 50-35 in a high scoring game at home against Boston’s second team. Sean Parker and Martyn Roberts grabbed two tries apiece for Gainsborough, while Adam Overton’s hat-trick helped secure victory for the visitors.
Gainsborough’s Brad Beresford at the ruck. Photo: Ruby Goude
Sleaford’s Harry Moffat airborne to score a try. Photo: sparx photographic
Sleaford came out on top with a 27-22 victory in an all Lincolnshire clash against North Hykeham.
Leon Stobart, Harry Moffat, Dave Titmus, Wayne Harley and Dan Mackie scored Sleaford’s tries, with the latter adding one conversion.
Sleaford’s Curtis Key breaking through the North Hykeham defence. Photo: sparx photographic
Mark Bunton, Nathan Barker and Rob Booth each scored a try for North Hykeham.
Booth also added two conversions and a penalty.
Nathan Baker making a break through Sleaford’s strong defence. Photo: Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas
Luke Barrett in action for North Hykeham against Sleaford. Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas
Sleaford and North Hykeham’s second teams also faced off on Saturday, with the latter winning 26-5.
Captain Scott Craven, Pete Usher, Rob Beasley and Max Richmond scored North Hyekham’s tries, with Josh Barker kicking three conversions. Sleaford’s try was scored by Cameron Catleugh.
Leaders Boston were not in league action at the weekend and instead faced a trip to Birstall in the cup.
The Lincolnshire side were narrowly defeated 36-28, with their tries coming from Luke Fowler, Tom Hobbs and Rowan Mason. Matt Bray kicked two conversions and three penalties.
Back in Midlands Four East (North), Skegness suffered a 36-7 home defeat against Nottinghamians. Paul Lucas scored the only try for Skegness, which was converted by Jamie Cameron.
Cleethorpes lost 36-3 away against Chesterfield Panthers, with their only points coming via Harry Lightfoot’s penalty.
Bourne’s Josh Lynch evading a tackle on his way to scoring a try. Photo: Alan Hancock
Bourne won 59-5 against an Invitation XV in the annual Alan Lock Memorial game on Saturday. The fixture is named after a founder member of the club.
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There have been 1,643 new coronavirus cases and 83 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire this week – compared to 1,670 cases and 71 deaths last week.
Some 304 new cases and 17 deaths were reported in Greater Lincolnshire on Friday – the third day in a row with 17 deaths.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 252 new cases in Lincolnshire, 28 in North Lincolnshire and 24 in North East Lincolnshire.
On Friday, 14 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire, two in North East Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported six new local hospital deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, four at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and one at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals. Some 51 hospital deaths have been recorded this week, compared to 48 last week.
On Friday, national cases increased by 40,261 to 3,583,907, while deaths rose by 1,401 to 95,981.
Lincolnshire health bosses estimate that 80-90% of new coronavirus cases in the county are now a mutant, more infectious strain of COVID.
Figures earlier this week said that by January 8, 59.2% of cases had confirmed the new virus — up from 36% by the end of 2020 — and now county leaders estimate the number to be even higher.
The COVID mutation that has taken over most new cases in Lincolnshire is not only more infectious, but also more deadly, it has been revealed.
NHS bosses are hoping to offer all care homes in Lincolnshire the first COVID vaccine dose by the end of the week. This comes as almost 5.4 million people have received jabs nationally.
Director of Nursing at Lincolnshire CCG Martin Fahy told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that about three quarters has been completed so far.
A single week in December saw Lincolnshire deaths reach 13 times the yearly average, explained local health bosses frustrated with COVID deniers.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Director of Public Health Professor Derek Ward explained that the week including December 14 would usually see an average of 23 deaths, but 2020 say 301 deaths that week.
In national news, there are no plans to pay everyone in England who tests positive for COVID-19 £500 to self-isolate, No 10 has said.
The PM’s official spokesman said there was already a £500 payment available for those on low incomes who could not work from home and had to isolate.
The coronavirus R number in the UK has fallen sharply since last week, suggesting the lockdown is slowing the spread of coronavirus.
The R, which refers to the number of people that an infected person will pass COVID-19 on to, is between 0.8 and 1 across the UK, according to the figures released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
This means for every 10 people infected with COVID-19, they will pass the virus on to between eight and 10 others.
Lincoln City has taken the top spot with the highest infection rate in Greater Lincolnshire.
This week saw South Holland at the top which was put down to two outbreaks in care homes with up to 100 cases. South Holland has now dropped to third place in the region.
Greater Lincolnshire still remains way below the national average infection rate of 472.9, with just 217.3 per 100,000 of the population.
Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate over the last seven days up to January 22 according to the government dashboard:
Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 15 to Jan 22. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Friday, January 22
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
45,645 cases (up 304)
31,814 in Lincolnshire (up 252)
7,067 in North Lincolnshire (up 28)
6,764 in North East Lincolnshire (up 24)
1,760 deaths (up 17)
1,255 from Lincolnshire (up 14)
272 from North Lincolnshire (up one)
233 from North East Lincolnshire (up two)
of which 1,047 hospital deaths (up 11)
638 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (up six)
32 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (up one)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
376 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up four)
3,583,907 UK cases, 95,981 deaths
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF the latest update. postcode data includes deaths not in healthcare facilities or in hospitals outside authority boundaries.
The COVID mutation that has taken over most new cases in Lincolnshire is not only more infectious, but may also be more deadly, it has been revealed.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there is “some evidence” the new variant of COVID-19 which is more transmissible could have a “higher degree of mortality”.
However, he said all current evidence continued to show that vaccines remain effective.
Health bosses in Lincolnshire on Friday estimated 80-90% of new coronavirus cases were the new variant.
Boris Johnson told reporters that there were currently no plans to change lockdown rules saying “this is the right package of measures” and that it was down to people obeying the current lockdown and enforcement.
Mr Johnson was speaking during a press briefing on Friday where health bosses said 1 in 55 people now had coronavirus in England.
There are now more than 38,000 people in hospital nationally – 78% higher than the peak of the first wave.
Mr Johnson said: “We’ve been informed today that in addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, first identified in London and the south-east, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality.
“It’s largely the impact of this new variant that means the NHS is under such intense pressure.”
In response to questions over death spikes caused by the new variant he said: “Death numbers will continue to be high for a little while to come.”
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, said there was already confidence the new virus spread more easily, but that it was unclear why that was.
He said there was no difference in terms of age range being affected.
Sir Vallance added the outcome for those in hospital with the new variant was the same, however, there was evidence “there’s increased risk for those who have the new variant, compared to the old virus”.
Early evidence suggests the difference shows 13-14 deaths per 1,000 infected as opposed to 10 in 1,000 for the original virus.
However, he added: “That evidence is not yet strong, it’s a series of different bits of information that come together to support that, and I want to put it into context as to what it might mean.
“But I’m stressing that these data are currently uncertain and we don’t have a very good estimate of the precise nature, or indeed, whether it is overall increase.”
He confirmed there was increasing evidence the new variant would be susceptible to the vaccines and studies of the Pfizer Biontech vaccine showed “very good neutralisation”.
“There’s increasing confidence, coupled with I think what is a very important clinical observation, which is that individuals who’ve been infected previously, and have generated antibodies, appear to be equally protected against original virus and new variant,” he added.
England’s Chief medical office Chris Whitty said there had been a “turning the corner” for the number of people catching the virus, adding it was coming down from an “exceptionally” high level.
A Lincoln couple will reopen their independent pizzeria at a new location on Friday night, with an array of main and signature pizzas and Belgian waffles.
Weirdough’s Pizza Emporium will open at Tap & Spile on Hungate from 5pm on Friday, January 22, but it initially started out as a charity project making Neo-Neapolitan pizzas.
Husband and wife team Matt and Rachel Barnes have lived in Lincoln for around five years and last year they wanted to do something to raise money for the NHS.
Matt starting to prepare a pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Kneading the dough. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt used to work at a Lincoln school, but they were closed to most pupils for a few weeks in March, so he started working on a project and Weirdoughs Pizza Emporium was born.
It was initially run from The West End Tap from the end of last summer, but in January the pub announced it would not reopen again under its current management, so Weirdoughs had to find a new premises.
The base ready for the next stage of the pizza making. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt putting the pizza into the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The tasty pizza in the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Adding the finishing touches to the pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
All profits made from the food sold – just under £2,000 – went to the NHS. The couple also did some drop offs at the coronavirus ward at Lincoln County Hospital.
Matt was made redundant at the end of May and Rachel was due to give birth four weeks after that.
It was a hectic time for the couple as Rachel, who works at a primary school in Peterborough, would be on maternity leave and Matt would soon have no income.
The Margz main pizza – San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The Weirdough – San Marzano tomatoes, parmesan, Emmental, mozzarella, red onions, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, spicy Nduja sausage, rocket, balsamic glaze and garlic drizzle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As the pizzas were working so well and following feedback from customers, the couple decided to turn it into a business.
Dan Neale, who previously ran the West End Tap, has joined the Weirdoughs team of four as a pizza chef.
Or why not try a Create Your Own Weirdoughs Waffle? | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The dough is homemade 24 hours ahead to make their special main and signature pizzas, while customers can also order a create your own Weirdoughs waffle.
The Belgian waffles come with a variety of toppings such as Kinder Bueno, Crunchie, and Galaxy Caramel, with sauces including white and milk chocolate, salted caramel and toffee, with ice cream.
Weirdoughs will open Friday to Sunday 5pm-9pm and Wednesday to Thursday 5pm-8pm for takeaway or delivery.
Pre-ordering is advised via Facebook or Instagram or by calling 07734 297 035, with the latter option preferred if it is after 4.30pm.
Owner Matt Barnes will help meet your pizza needs. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Delivery is available to the following areas: Ermine, St Giles, Monks Road, High Street, Bailgate, Boultham, West End and the city centre.
Weirdoughs will try and accommodate other areas too, but it may incur additional charges, while the takeaway will also be joining Uber Eats in the near future.
Weirdoughs will be based inside the Tap & Spile pub in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Once pubs are allowed to reopen again, customers at the Tap & Spile will able to order Weirdoughs food straight to their table and Matt said he can’t wait for people to able to experience it that way.