Rugby Report: Two wins in a row for Lincoln Ladies

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.

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.

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’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.

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.

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.”

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’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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Mark Bunton, Nathan Barker and Rob Booth each scored a try for North Hykeham.

Booth also added two conversions and a penalty.

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 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.