Rugby Report: Lincoln Imps stay top, but last-gasp defeat for first team

Lincoln Imps XV remain top of the table after coming from behind to secure their third successive league win with a narrow 19-12 victory over title rivals Nottingham Corsairs.

Second-placed Nottingham Corsairs scored a try in each half to open up a 12-0 lead.

Lincoln reduced the deficit when Grant Laws took advantage of a spilled ball and ran in for a try, which captain Luke Brodrick converted.

Number Eight George Chirila offloaded the ball for Joe Christopher, who beat two players to go over for a try under the posts. Brodrick added the conversion to edge Lincoln ahead.

Lincoln secured the victory when Chirila made a crucial pass to Brodrick, who offloaded for Alan Foster to step the last defender and run in for a try.

Lincoln’s 1st XV saw victory snatched away from them in the final minute of the match after a narrow 24-21 defeat at Ilkeston.

Lincoln went into the match in high spirits after Nico Papworth’s try guided them to a 7-0 victory at Spalding in the Lincolnshire Cup last Tuesday.

The visitors made a blistering start to Saturday’s league match with three unanswered tries in the first half.

Scrum-half Mitch Ashworth passed the ball out to Harry Cowles, who popped it for Matt Keeton to power over the line for the game’s first try. Louie Cook successfully slotted over the conversion.

Lincoln increased their lead when Jake Keeton made a great break down the wing before passing inside to captain Lewis Wilson. The centre ran round the full-back to go over for a try, which Cook converted.

Matt Walker made an excellent break around the half hour mark before offloading to Wilson, who dived over for his second try, which Cook converted, to give Lincoln a 21-0 lead going in at the break.

Lincoln played with the slope in the second half and gave away too much possession, as Ilkeston reduced the deficit to just two points with tries from Jake Smithurst, Jake Lamb and Tom Pottinger. Jake Lamb converted two of the three tries.

A forward drive put Joe Marsden over for a try with the last play of the game as Ilkeston nicked the win from Lincoln, who managed to secure a losing bonus point.

Lincoln Colts’ Greens lost 29-12 at Oundle, with their tries coming from Jack Dark and Ollie Keen. Jess wright added one conversion for Lincoln, who were missing Ben Manderfield, Ben Crowe and Ciaran Wolverson due to their involvement with the NLD Under 18 team.

Other Results

In National League Two (North), Scunthorpe suffered frustration on the road after a 59-7 defeat at Sedgley Park. Ethan Heath-Drury scored Scunthorpe’s try, which Paul Cook converted.

In Midlands Two East (North), tries from Pete Southwell, Jack Norton, Tom Stephens, Josh White, Will Crowe and Jake McKay helped Market Rasen & Louth to a 38-17 win at bottom club Ashfield. Connor Janney kicked four conversions.

Bourne moved to the top of Midlands Three East (South) after a 29-15 home victory against Spalding.

Sam Thornburn, Tom Dixon, Jack Berry and Sam Evison scored Bourne’s tries, with the latter adding three conversions and a penalty.

Wilson Crowson, Taylor Crowson and Spalding’s man-of-the-match Ash Anker scored the visitor’s tries.

Stamford are just one point behind in second place after a late try guided them to a dramatic 18-14 victory at former leaders Stockwood Park.

James Stables and Tom Mutter scored the tries, with Harry Bentley adding one conversion and two penalties.

In Midlands Three East (North), tries from James Goodrich, Adam Draper and Dan Turner helped Kesteven to a 21-17 home victory against Grimsby. Aaron Whittaker kicked all three conversions.

Lewis Rothenburg grabbed two tries for Grimsby and Jordan Carr scored the other, with Brad Treacher adding one conversion.

Grimsby Lynx Ladies had a memorable afternoon on Sunday with a 65-0 home win against Ossett.

Katie Pye, Kathryn Turner and Gracie Forster grabbed two tries apiece for Grimsby, with Sophie Plater, Emma Turner, Ellis Bain, Alexsandra Jakabus and Laura Galley each scoring one. Pye added four conversions and Bain kicked one.

Fourth-placed Sleaford claimed the biggest scalp in Midlands Four East (North) by ending Boston’s unbeaten start to the league season with a 27-22 home victory.

Paddy Hobson crossed for two of Sleaford’s tries, with the others coming from Curtis Key and Harry Moffat.

Dan Mackie kicked two conversions and a drop goal to secure victory for the hosts.

Rowan Mason scored two tries for Boston, who were also awarded a penalty try.

John Hummel kicked one conversion and a penalty.

Boston prop James Griffin played for Boston in that match before coming off the bench to make his debut for England Deaf Rugby Union on Sunday.

Griffin made a try scoring debut as England won 68-7 against Northamptonshire Police.

Boston Ladies never gave up and showed great spirit during their 41-0 home defeat against Littleborough in the Junior Plate.

Back in Midlands Four East (North), Alex Nabais scored a hat-trick of tries as Cleethorpes claimed an emphatic 43-3 win at Ollerton.

Isaac Machon, Luke Thornton and Mike Burton each scored one try, with Harry Lightfoot kicking five conversions and a penalty.

Dean Brian scored the only try of the game as Skegness secured back-to-back home league victories with a narrow 5-3 win against Chesterfield Panthers.

Brad Beresford’s hat-trick of tries proved decisive as Gainsborough won 35-22 at North Hykeham.

Daniel Chadwick grabbed two tries for Gainsborough and Robbie Goodyear kicked all five conversions.

Paul Bud, Ryan Carr, Danny Brown and Adam Bird scored North Hykeham’s tries, with Rob Booth adding one conversion.