Rugby Report: Bonus point for Lincoln’s 1st XV against Matlock

Lincoln’s 1st XV pushed title-chasing Matlock all the way before claiming a bonus point in a narrow 22-19 defeat at Longdales Park.

Lincoln started strongly and showed on the field that the gap between the sides is less than the league table suggests.

Lincoln’s 1st XV with Martin Barbouti from main club sponsor BEARS ambulance service. Photo: Brian Penney

Lincoln opened the scoring after 14 minutes when their man-of-the-match Ben Sykes won the ball at the lineout, before prop David Beveridge offloaded it for Grant Cowe to dive over for a try.

Richie Dixon successfully slotted over the conversion.

Grant Cowe dived over for Lincoln’s first try of the match. Photo: Brian Penney

The hosts continued to put pressure on their opponents, but the first half turned when Lincoln lost Harry Cowles and Cowe to yellow cards.

Matlock took advantage with tries from John Stathan and captain Simon Wright giving them a 10-7 half-time lead.

Ben Sykes in action for Lincoln against Matlock. Photo: Brian Penney

The visitors increased their lead in the second half with Wright powering over for another try.

Sam Ball went over for a try on his first team debut for Matlock, which James Fish converted.

Owen Mitchinson scored Lincoln’s third try against Matlock. Photo: Brian Penney

Matlock lost a player to the sin bin before Lincoln reduced the deficit with Sykes running in for a try, which Dixon converted.

Martin Barbouti, Secure Division Manager at Lincoln’s club sponsor BEARS (British Ambulance Response Service) being presented with a shirt by 1st XV captain Lewis Wilson. Photo: Lucy Prescott

First team try scorer Owen Mitchinson being presented with a special club tie by James Pinchbeck, marketing partner at Lincoln’s match sponsor Streets Chartered Accountants. Photo: Lucy Prescott

Lincoln secured a losing bonus point when a quickly taken penalty by Mitch Ashworth set up Brandon Hogan, who offloaded for Owen Mitchinson to go over for a try in the corner.

Shannon Snell was once again named as Lincoln head coach Brian Kelly’s player of the match. Photo: Ed Navrady

Top scorer Harriet Fluck was among the tries as Lincoln Ladies bounced back to winnings ways with an impressive 17-7 home win against York RI.

Shannon Snell and Bob Chapman also scored tries, with the latter adding one conversion, as Lincoln avenged November’s narrow 14-5 away defeat.

Harriet Fluck ran in for one of Lincoln Ladies’ tries against York. Photo: Ed Navrady

Emily Nelson was named as Lincoln’s forward of the match for the second game in a row. Photo: Ed Navrady

Snell was also named as coach Brian Kelly’s player of the match for the second successive game, while Liv Smith and Emily Nelson were named as the back and forward of the match respectively.

Lincoln Colts (Greens) won 28-17 against Newark thanks to tries from William Dark, Ben Manderfield, Jack Randell and Luke Wells. Randell and Ciaran Wolverson each kicked two conversions.

The Colts (Reds) lost 33-17 against Mellish. Jess Wright, Jack Osmond and Jack Dark scored Lincoln’s tries, with the latter adding one conversion.

Lincoln’s Under-15s put in a great team performance to beat Goole 24-5. Flynn Smith and Eddie Gibson scored two tries apiece, with Max Thompson kicking two conversions.

Lincoln Ladies after their victory against York. Photo: Ed Navrady

Other Results

In National League Two (North), Jacob Hardy scored the visitors’ only try as Scunthorpe lost 54-5 at Tynedale.

In Midlands Two East (North), captain Ben Chamberlin, Spen Holvey, Mike Starling, Will Pridgeon and Jake McKay all scored tries as Market Rasen & Louth lost 41-25 at Long Eaton.

Stamford’s Harry Bentley scored a try and two conversions against Northampton BBOB. Photo: Darren Dolby

Stamford remain top of Midlands Three East (South) after a hard-fought 24-17 win at Northampton BBOB.

Rees Burns, Mike Kendall, Jack Jones and Harry Bentley scored Stamford’s tries, with the latter adding two conversions.

Jack Jones crossing for a try for Stamford against Northampton BBOB. Photo: Darren Dolby

Mike Kendall in action for Stamford against Northampton BBOB. Photo: Darren Dolby

Bourne, who are six points behind in third place, claimed an impressive 21-7 victory at Huntingdon & District. JJ Roberts, Jack Berry and Josh Lynch scored the tries for Bourne, with Sam Evison kicking all three conversions.

Harry Sharman scored Spalding’s only try in their 29-5 defeat at Oakham.

Grimsby’s hat-trick hero John Mansfield in action against Sileby Town. Photo: Jo Moore

In Midlands Three East (North), John Mansfield scored a hat-trick of tries as Grimsby beat Sileby Town 64-5.

Ash Rendall-Tyrrell and Luke Chaplin grabbed two tries apiece, with Dane Briggs, Evan Picking and Lewis Rothenburg each scoring one. Brad Treacher added seven conversions.

Grimsby’s Ash Rendall-Tyrrell powering through the Sileby defence. Photo: Jo Moore

Kesteven were also big winners after an impressive 55-5 victory at Rolls Royce.

Tom Wood and Dan Turner grabbed two tries apiece, with Adam Draper, Ollie Lowe, Jack Jonson, James Goodrich and Tom Webster each scoring one. Ollie Wood kicked five conversions.

Boston’s Jaron Cowern crossing for a try against East Retford. Photo: David Dales

John Hummel crossing for a try for Boston against East Retford. Photo: David Dales

Boston moved back to the top of the Midlands Four East (North) table after a 21-7 home win against East Retford, who drop to second.

Jaron Cowern grabbed two tries for Boston and John Hummel scored one, with Will Scupham kicking two penalties.

The two sides meet again at East Retford on Saturday.

Boston’s 1st XV in action in the top-of-the-table clash against East Retford. Photo: Wayne Lagden

North Hykeham’s 1st XV and Chesterfield Panthers line up before their match. Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas

North Hykeham battled bravely in a 72-0 defeat at Chesterfield Panthers despite missing several players and others picking up injuries during the game.

Cleethorpes 2nd XV beat Sleaford. Photo: Cleethorpes Rugby Club

Cleethorpes 1st XV’s trip to Tupton was postponed, but the 2nd XV enjoyed an emphatic 83-10 victory against Sleaford.

Jono Day contesting a lineout for Gainsborough against Long Eaton. Photo: Tom Ellis

Ben Watson and Tudor Roberts each scored a try as Gainsborough progressed through to the NLD Vase semi-final with a 24-5 victory against Long Eaton.

Gainsborough were also awarded a penalty try and Robbie Goodyear kicked two conversions and a penalty. Gainsborough will travel to face Nottingham Corsairs in the semi-final.

Gainsborough and Long Eaton preparing to contest a scrum. Photo: Tom Ellis

Stamford’s Cat Walker fends off a Kempston player. Photo: Ray Bates

In Midlands Four East (South), Stamford College Old Boys won 40-19 at Kempston thanks to two tries from Haydn Johns.

Macsen Harker, Tom Birks, Alan Flanders and Carl Brierley-Lewis each scored one try, with Johns adding five conversions.

Jim Chapman in action for Stamford College Old Boys against Kempston. Photo; Ray Bates

Women’s Rugby

Scunthorpe Ladies and Sleaford Ladies combined for a group photo that shows the true spirit of women’s rugby. Photo: Sparx Photography

In the Women’s NC2 North (East), Becky Clark and Cassie Milestone scored the tries as Scunthorpe battled hard to claim a narrow 10-0 win against Sleaford.

Scunthorpe Ladies try scorer Becky Clark running clear of the Sleaford defence. Photo: Sparx Photography

Sleaford’s Jodie Melville and Jody Stobart combine to halt a determined Scunthorpe attack. Photo: Sparx Photography

Sleaford worked excellently as a team with great support play and strong scrums, but just couldn’t find their way over the try line.

Paige Donnelly and Claire Wright making a tackle for Boston Ladies against Hull. Photo: Beth Wheal

Boston Ladies player Hannah Dennis handing off her opponent from Hull. Photo: Beth Wheal

Captain Hannah Booth scored a try and a conversion as Boston Ladies made it back-to-back victories with a 7-5 win at Hull Ionian Ladies.