Rugby Report: Fluck treble leads Lincoln Ladies to victory

Harriet Fluck crossed for a hat-trick of tries as Lincoln Ladies recorded their third win in four matches with a 48-8 victory against a spirited Sleaford side.

Third-placed Lincoln started strongly and opened the scoring after just three minutes. Fluck chased a kick through from Lynne Brooker-Brown before beating the winger to go over for a try.

Lincoln increased their lead when Clare Brooker-Brown ran on to a flat pass and broke through to score a try, which Lynne Brooker-Brown converted.

A pass from Ruth Denham set up Fluck to run in for her second try of the match soon after. Lynne Brooker-Brown added the extras.

Great teamwork set up Bob Chapman to crash over for a try before Sleaford reduced the deficit with a penalty from Amy Woodford.

Lincoln nearly scored again in the closing stages of the first half, but a great tackle from Sleaford’s Number Eight Jo Parkes prevent a potential try for Chapman.

Lincoln increased their lead early in the second half when Lynne Brooker-Brown crashed over for an unconverted try.

Fluck collected the ball on the Lincoln 22 and ran past all the covering defenders to go over for a try under the posts to complete her hat-trick. Chapman added the extras.

Jade Morgan then set up Chapman, who beat three players before going over for a try, which the latter converted.

Sleaford rallied and showed great determination to reduce the deficit as fly-half Sherrie Christian broke away to score a try.

Quick thinking from Morgan set up Clare Brooker-Brown to go over for Lincoln’s final try of the afternoon in the left corner.

After the match Lincoln Ladies head coach Brian Kelly said: “The girls were excellent in really difficult conditions and played a whole team game.

“Great running lines and excellent support stretched the opposition all over the pitch. But for a couple of lapses in concentration their defence was great. I am really proud of how hard they worked.”

Sleaford Ladies coach Derek Lynch added: “There was without question some really good passages of play by all our players. They can hold their heads high as they all kept going to the end. Well done.”

Lincoln’s Under 18’s Girls team, along with the Under 15s and 13s, all had a positive weekend as they continued in their development.

Lincoln’s men’s 1st XV match at home against Ashfield was postponed on Saturday. Lincoln Imps XV and 3rd XV also saw their respective matches against Kesteven and Gainsborough postponed.

Other results

In National Two (North), Scunthorpe men’s 1st XV lost 57-11 away against Loughborough Students. Will Harrison scored a try for the visitors and Paul Cook kicked two penalties.

Scunthorpe Ladies battled hard before succumbing to a 26-5 defeat at league leaders Driffield, with their try coming from Cassie Milestone.

In Midlands Two East (North), tries from captain Ben Chamberlin, Ben Youngs and George Grant helped Market Rasen & Louth to a 19-17 home victory over Matlock. Rasen’s other points came via two conversions from Tom Alldridge.

Stamford continue to fly high in second place in Midlands Three East (South) after a 38-14 victory at Rushden & Higham.

Lewis Nettleton, Harry Ayton, Danny McFaden, James Stable and James Green scored Stamford’s tries, with Ollie Johnson kicking four conversions.

Bourne are third in the table and just five points behind Stamford after Josh Lynch’s hat-trick guided them to a 64-14 victory at Bedford Queens.

Jamie Colangelo, Adam McHugh and JJ Roberts crossed for two tries apiece, with Sam Evison adding eight conversions and a penalty.

Spalding were also victorious with a 39-7 win at St Neots thanks to two tries from Ash Anker.

Gav Sharman, Harry Cole, Callum Lewis, Matt Holmes and Ryan Chappel also scored tries for Spalding, with Conall Mason kicking two conversions.

In Midlands Three East (North), second-placed Grimsby continued their unbeaten start to the league season with a sixth successive victory – an 18-10 home win over Belper.

Kieran Austin-Thomas and Chris Moore scored Grimsby’s tries, with Brad Treacher adding one conversion and two penalties.

Kesteven recorded an impressive 26-19 win at Bakewell Mannerians thanks to two tries from James Goodrich, including a length of the pitch interception.

Adam Draper and Dan Turner each scored one try and Aaron Whittaker added three conversions.

Captain Gavin Purvis said it was “a performance of determination and grit in challenging conditions”.

Kesteven Ladies also had a weekend to remember after claiming a 10-3 victory away against York RI Ladies. Ruth Holmes and Ella Tapson scored Kesteven’s tries.

In Midlands Four East (North), leaders Boston made it nine wins out of nine with a 48-3 home victory over Nottinghamians.

Jaron Cowern crossed for a hat-trick of tries for Boston and George Sharp, Matthew Deane and Matt Bray each scored one.

Bray kicked six conversions and two penalties to give Boston a three-point lead over second-placed East Retford.

Boston Ladies produced a great defensive performance, but were narrowly defeated 5-0 in their cup clash against Mellish on Sunday.

Gainsborough’s men’s 1st XV were narrowly defeated 19-14 at East Retford.

Brad Beresford scored Gainsborough’s only try of the match and Robbie Goodyear kicked three penalties.

Tries from Alex Nabais and Isaac Machon helped Cleethorpes to a 30-20 home victory against Meden Vale.

Cleethorpes were also awarded a penalty try and Harry Lightfoot kicked two conversions and three penalties.

Skegness suffered a 73-0 defeat away against Tupton.

North Hykeham’s trip to Chesterfield Panthers and Sleaford’s match at Worksop were both postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.

However, Sleaford’s 2nd XV were in action with a 17-12 win at Newark. Shaun Kelly and Dave Hards scored the tries for Sleaford, with Tim O’Sullivan adding two conversions and a penalty.