Ben Sykes was named as Lincoln's man-of-the-match against Matlock. Photo: Brian Penney
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.
Spotted an error? Please notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
The Lincolnite welcomes your views. All comments are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers.
Extinction Rebellion Lincolnshire have been protesting and campaigning for action on climate change for a number of years, and they’ve had a trusty sidekick with them every step of the way.
Snowy, a unique German Shepherd and chocolate labradoodle crossbreed, was employed by Extinction Rebellion Lincolnshire as a de-escalation and therapy dog in 2018 and has been the talk of the town ever since.
His owner, Ian Rushby, called him “a special dog” that is “completely chilled out and gentle, with a habit of standing on your feet and leaning into you.”
This protesting is tiring work! | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
Born in October 2014 as the largest of five puppies, the six-year-old pooch has been attending Extinction Rebellion protests in Lincolnshire and beyond since the winter of 2018.
Ever since his first protests at Biscathorpe in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Snowy has been there to comfort rebels and be a calming influence during marches in Greater Lincolnshire, Hull, Manchester, Leeds and London.
Snowy is an avid attender of XR protests across the country. | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
“Snowy steps forward and provides a safe, neutral, space where the people involved can find some common ground”, Ian said.
“He has been the starting point of great conversations and friendships across all cultural and demographic boundaries.
“I’ve lost count of the number of people who have been moved to tears, both grief and joy, by having Snowy around.”
Snowy is always eager to help out. | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
He has also apparently defused potentially hostile situations at roadblocks and other protests, and this is due to Snowy “just being himself.”
It hasn’t always been the rebellious life for Snowy though, who has been to a number of countries with his owners since being born, including Morocco, Switzerland, Malta and Italy.
Even a therapy dog needs some me time. | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
He was described as a bit of a celebrity everywhere he went, attracting attention and making an impression on the locals whenever he went out on walks.
Ian said: “Because of his striking looks, friendly and relaxed manner, everyone wants to stroke him, which has created a virtuous circle, of looking even cuter in order to be stroked again!”
Snowy was one of five puppies, and was the only one with white fur. | Photo: @snowy9796 on Instagram
If you want to follow Snowy’s story, you can visit his Instagram page.
The husband of a Lincolnshire carer who died in 2014 after her tuberculosis was repeatedly misdiagnosed, has spoken out publicly about the family’s tragic ordeal for the first time.
Moza Ali Hill, who was born in Zanzibar in Africa and lived in Stow in Lincolnshire, was misdiagnosed for tuberculosis. She was instead treated for suspected Sarcoidosis with immunosuppressants and tragically died in January 2014.
The cause of her death was not formally identified until a coroner carried out a post-mortem examination and established that Mrs Hill had in been suffering from TB.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are said to have initially refused to admit fault for several years.
The family only received an apology shortly before the case was due to go to a trial when evidence of clinical negligence was said to have been uncovered. Moza’s husband Victor received a six figure pay out in 2019.
This came after he had contacted Langleys Solicitors in July 2014. Legal proceedings continued for a number of years as the trusts involved allegedly refused to accept that failures in their care had resulted in Mrs Hill’s death.
He recently decided to share his wife’s story publicly to raise awareness that TB can lie dormant for many years.
Victor said: “There is no question that had my wife’s illness been correctly diagnosed and treated when she first started experiencing symptoms, she would still be here today.
“Even when it became clear she was becoming increasingly ill, her doctors continued to treat her for Sarcoidosis. She never complained but it was clear to see that she was going downhill, yet despite her clear risk factors for TB it was never even suggested as a possibility until it was too late.
“My wife worked as a nurse for most of her life, before becoming a carer when she felt that looking after the patients had become secondary to the job. I just wish that the healthcare professionals who treated her had shown her the same level of care and respect that she always showed to others.
“Although nothing will ease the pain of losing her, I’m determined to raise awareness of TB, in the hope that nobody else goes through this needless pain.
“While I was hugely disappointed in the attitude of the trust, the team at Langleys were fantastic throughout. They provided me with so much support at a very difficult time, and when the proceedings finally came to an end it almost felt like saying goodbye to friends.”
Mrs Hill, pictured with one of her two sons Salim Victor.
As Moza was born in Africa, it put her at increased risk of TB and she is said to have had all the textbook symptoms, but respiratory specialists never tested her for it. She had worked as a nurse in a number of countries badly affected by TB, but it was not recognised by doctors that she was at significantly increased risk of infection.
She first visited her GP in January 2012 as she was suffering from an array of relatively mild symptoms typical of TB. This included a persistent cough, joint pain, tiredness and fatigue, and over the following year she lost two stone.
She had enlarged lymph nodes in her throat, abdomen, groin and chest, which can be a sign of TB. Her husband Victor says these symptoms were not fully investigated by Lincoln County Hospital.
After being referred from Lincoln County Hospital to Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, she was wrongly diagnosed with Sarcoidosis.
Sarcoidosis is a rare condition that causes small patches of swollen tissue to develop in the organs of the body. Chronic symptoms can be managed with strong steroid tables that suppress the immune system.
However, as she was battling a serious bacterial infection, this treatment plan led to her decline as her condition gradually worsened after beginning the course of steroids.
Mrs Hill was reluctant to keep taking the drugs as they were making her more ill, but continued to take them on medical advice. Despite this, she continued to work as a carer right before her death as she was dedicated to look after others.
The treatment rapidly worsened the TB and Mrs Hill was admitted to Lincoln County Hospital in December 2013 and then transferred to Northern General Hospital, where she later died.
Moza Ali Hill shortly before her treatment.
A tissue sample taken in March 2011, which had never been sent for culture by Lincoln County Hospital, tested positive for TB as part of later legal proceedings.
It is believed that had this been sent when the biopsy was taken in 2011, Mrs Hill would have been diagnosed, received appropriate treatment and potentially survived.
According to expert evidence, if she had been given appropriate treatment for TB at any point up to and including January 8, 2014 she would have survived. On this date she was advised it was possible she was suffering from TB, but treatment for this condition was not started until January 18, 2014.
Sadly, by this point it was too late to arrest her rapid deterioration and she died in ICU with her husband Victor at her bedside on January 29, 2014.
Andrew Cragg, head of the Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury teams at Langleys Solicitors, said: “This was a clear case of medical negligence: given Mrs Hill’s background, TB should have been ruled out as standard.
“Moza’s death was absolutely devastating for Victor and his children who were devoted to her and so we were very pleased to secure justice for Moza, Victor and their family in highlighting the shortcomings in her treatment. Importantly, this case has also highlighted the urgent need for more education around TB, both within the medical community and the general public.”
Hospital trusts apologise
Dr Neill Hepburn, Medical Director at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We have offered our sincerest and deepest apologies to the family of Mrs Hill for the failings in her diagnosis and treatment.
“We have also put in place measures and training to ensure that we learn from the errors made in Mrs Hill’s care to prevent this from happening again.”
Dr Jennifer Hill, Medical Director (Operations) at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our teams work exceptionally hard to provide the best possible care to our patients and we are so very sorry that in respect of Mrs Hill’s care in 2013 some of our actions were not as expected.
“We have apologised to Mrs Hill’s family for the shortcomings in the care that we provided and whilst nothing that we can say will take away the pain of their loss, we can assure them that we have taken what happened very seriously in order to learn and make changes where we can, so that the chances of it happening again are minimised.”