Lincoln's victorious captains Lewis Wilson, Luke Brodrick and Shannon Snell after three of the club's senior sides won cup finals at the weekend.
It was a weekend to remember for Lincoln Rugby Club as they celebrated a trio of cup final wins against Derbyshire opponents.
The normal season has been heavily disrupted by coronavirus over the last year, but the NLD Cup competition at least gave teams some summer rugby to enjoy.
The NLD Cup was split into several groups and culminated in multiple cup finals, while it is hoped that the regular league season will resume in September.
Louie Cooke kicked a crucial 12 points as Lincoln’s 1st XV lifted the NLD Cup despite a narrow 15-12 second leg defeat at home against Ilkeston on Saturday.
Lincoln’s 1st XV are the NLD Cup champions. | Photo: Mike Lincoln
Lincoln’s 1st XV showing just what the cup final win means to the team! | Photo: Mike Lincoln
Lincoln went into the match with a 28-24 advantage from the away first leg thanks to tries from captain Lewis Wilson, Grant Cowe, Jack Noquet and Matt Keeton, as well as conversions from Richie Dixon and Cooke.
The second leg result means that Lincoln emerged victorious 40-39 on aggregate to finish as NLD Cup champions.
Lincoln 1st XV captain Lewis Wilson (second from left) with coaching team Simon Green, Paul Clarke, and Ross Tarnowski.
Louie Cooke kicked all Lincoln’s points in the second leg of the NLD Cup Final. | Photo: Brian Penney
Lincoln’s 1st XV captain Lewis Wilson lifting the trophy.
Lincoln’s 1st XV captain Lewis Wilson said: “I am proud of the boys from 1-22 who pulled on the shirt. We have been playing with a young squad so the future looks bright for the club.
“We managed the game well throughout and showed good grit in defence.”
Lincoln 1st XV captain Lewis Wilson with Team Manager Chris Barrett.
Lincoln Imps XV after their NLD Cup Final win. | Photo: Ady Brodrick
Euan Kelly crossed for a hat-trick of tries as Lincoln Imps XV won 37-29 away against Long Eaton in the second leg of their NLD Cup Final.
Alex Brodrick, Tom Dowdy and Jack Miles grabbed one try apiece, with the latter also kicking over a penalty. Brodrick and Conor Milnes each kicked one conversion.
The second leg result meant that Lincoln ended with a 67-36 aggregate victory to become cup champions.
Lincoln Imps XV captain Luke Brodrick (right) with his brother, and scrum-half, Alex Brodrick (left). | Photo: Ady Brodrick
Lincoln Imps XV captain Luke Brodrick said: “I am so proud to have been a part of this team that have put in a huge shift through the competition and Saturday topped it all off.
“It was a very tough game, but we dug deep to come out on top. The boys deserved the win.”
Lincoln Imps XV celebrating their cup final win. | Photo: Ady Brodrick
Lincoln Ladies celebrating their cup win over Long Eaton. | Photo: Katie Nesbitt
On Sunday, Lincoln Ladies produced a great team performance to secure a 22-22 draw against Long Eaton and become the club’s third side to finish the weekend as cup champions.
Lynne Brooker-Brown, Kellie Pyart and Jenna Bierton all scored tries for Lincoln, with Emelia Twesigye adding two conversions and a penalty.
After winning the first leg in Derbyshire 22-10, the second leg result gave Lincoln Ladies a 44-32 aggregate victory and plenty to celebrate.
Lincoln Ladies were delighted to win the NLD Cup Final against Long Eaton. | Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Lincoln Ladies captain Shannon Snell proudly lifting the cup. | Photo: Jo Snell
Lincoln Ladies captain Shannon Snell said: “I am so proud to be part of this team of such an amazing group of ladies. Yet again, everyone involved put in a huge shift in a very close game, including Long Eaton Ladies who did not make it easy and had come to our home ground hungry for the win.
“Months of preparation finally paid off and I’d like to thank our coaches Brian Kelly and George Reid for their perseverance and effort.”
Lincoln Rugby Club couple Jodie Hill and Grant Cowe both won their respective cup finals at the weekend. | Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Other Results
Kesteven beat Bakewell 89-10 to win the NLD Plate.
Aaron Whitaker scored four tries as Kesteven’s 1st XV beat Bakewell 89-10 in their NLD Plate Final.
Dan Turner and Jake Eagle crossed for two tries apiece, while captain Gavin Purvis grabbed an impressive try from 30 yards out.
James Goodrich, Ben Hall and Henry Parker also got their names on the scoresheet in what was an emphatic victory for the Lincolnshire side.
North Hykeham’s 1st XV pictured after the 1st leg, which was the first game played at their new ground – Ruston Sports and Bar. | Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas
Mark Munton crossed for two tries as North Hykeham’s 1st XV emerged as cup winners despite a 24-22 second leg defeat at Meden Vale.
Jordan Jolley and Sam Cooke grabbed a try apiece, while Adam Bird kicked one conversion and Rob Booth was named as Hykeham’s man-of-the-match.
The result gave North Hykeham a 49-43 aggregate win after two tries apiece from Gareth Alder-Woolf and Munton, and one from Danny Brown, had helped them to victory in the first leg.
Jordan Jolley in action for North Hykeham in the second leg of their cup final against Meden Vale. | Photo: Faye Doyle-Thomas
Boston beat Nottingham Moderns in both legs of their cup final. | Photo: David Dales
Man-of-the-match Deano Deane grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Boston’s 1st XV claimed a 44-8 win against Nottingham Moderns to claim an NLD Cup title.
Lewis Eldin marked his last game as captain with a try in the final. Rowan Mason crossed for two tries and kicked three conversions. Zeph Chapman slotted over two penalties and one conversion.
The result gave Boston an impressive 70-22 aggregate win and outgoing captain Lewis Eldin, who will remain as part of the first team squad, said: “It’s been a pleasure to captain Boston to a promotion and cup win over the last few years. I look forward to next season.”
Gainsborough celebrating their cup win over Tupton. | Photo: Robbie Goodyear
Gainsborough’s 1st XV also enjoyed a victorious cup final after a 43-27 win at Tupton.
Daniel Chadwick crossed for three tries, while vice captain Kieron Smythe, and brothers Jordan and Brad Beresford, each grabbed one.
Brad Beresford slotted over one conversion, while Tudor Roberts kicked four conversions and one penalty.
Sleaford scrum-half Joe Jones in action against East Retford. | Photo: Chloe Crosbie
Sleaford battled hard in the second leg of their cup final away against East Retford, but unfortunately for the Lincolnshire side it ended in a 40-12 defeat (64-34 on aggregate).
Finn Sodeau and Euan Owen scored Sleaford’s tries and Tim O’Sullivan kicked one conversion.
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Councillors have paid tribute to the former leader of West Lindsey District Council, Reg Shore, who has died after a short illness.
Reg Shore, who served the council for the Stow Ward from May 1999, died on Friday, July 23.
He held the position of leader from 2006 to 2008/09 before choosing to retire from politics in May 2019. He was also previously an executive member of Lincolnshire County Council.
Reg touched and shaped many lives in and around Gainsborough and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
Councillor Trevor Young encouraged Reg to get into politics and join the Liberal Democrat group as he was already an active member of the community, supporting the Christmas panto and more.
He said: “Reg supported so many people especially young people and many of them went on to have successful careers and it was Reg who inspired them.
“He loved people and he could always see something in individuals, the positives, even when they could not see it themselves at first. He would always get the best out of them. There will be hundreds of people in Gainsborough who have a story of how Reg helped them.
“In my opinion Reg was the hardest working councillor that West Lindsey District Council ever had. He had such a broad skillset, he was good at speeches, very organised and great working with partners regardless of politics.
“I hope we will see some legacy of young people getting into politics due to the work he had put in to them.”
Councillor Matt Boles knew Reg for more than 25 years, first as his teacher then as a work colleague at Cassies school in Gainsborough and then at Trent Valley Academy as a fellow councillor and friend.
He said: “Like many hundreds of young people across Gainsborough I’m privileged to have met Reg and for him to have been able to positively influence my life.
“Without his help, advice and support I certainly would not be doing what I am in politics today. Reg one was of the first to encourage me to stand as a town councillor 12 years ago.
“He gave me the confidence and support to do this, he was always there with support and guidance giving me the tools and support to then get elected to West Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire County Council, all of which I still use. Even after moving to France he was only ever a phone call or email away and always there to help or just give you the reassuring confidence boost.”
Councillor Owen Bierley, leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “He was a most able and committed colleague who not only led the council during a time of considerable challenge and change, but was also held in the highest esteem throughout the chamber and in the community.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends and indeed all those whose lives have been touched by Reg through his political and professional contribution and work.”
Team GB and Shona McCallin’s quest to retain the Olympic gold medal in the women’s hockey event has come to an end, after a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the semi-final.
The reigning champions from Rio 2016 were searching for Olympic glory once again in Tokyo, but missed out on a place in the gold medal match after the Netherlands beat GB comfortably on Wednesday morning.
Shona McCallin from Newark was one of the gold medalists from the last games, but the 26-year-old could not help guide the team to the final this year.
All medal hopes are not yet lost for Team GB, however, as they will now prepare for a bronze medal match against either Argentina or India on Friday.
The match was seen as revenge for the Dutch, who were beaten in a penalty shootout in the gold medal match against Team GB in Rio five years ago, and they will now face the winner of the other semi-final for their chance at gold.
The Netherlands are the number one ranked hockey team in the world, and they showed all their quality as they swept aside the 2016 Olympic champions.
Lincoln has the highest COVID infection rate in the whole of the UK, according to the latest government data – thanks largely to a spike in the centre of the city.
The government’s daily case tables, based on lab-reported or lateral flow positive tests, for the seven days up to July 29 showed Lincoln had recorded a rate of 653.6 per 100,000 of the population.
As of August 4, it’s the highest rate in the UK – above Belfast (650 per 100,000 of the population) and Middlesborough (573.1).
A total of 649 positive cases were recorded in the city.
Local data broken down by wards shows the case rate shot up to 1,250.2 per 100,000 people in the city centre (Wharf & University), with 137 positive cases recorded – a rise of 197.8%.
There was also a significant rise in the Pelham Bridge and South Common area.
Data recorded in the city over the seven days up to July 29 shows:
Cathedral & West Common – 79 cases (75.6% rise), 645.1 per 100,000
Monks Road, St Giles & Greetwell – 97 cases (177.1% rise), 798.2 per 100,000
Pelham Bridge & South Common – 60 cases (233.3% rise), 792.3 per 100,000
Boultham & New Boultham – 58 cases (114.8% rise), 625.5 per 100,000
Hartsholme & Birchwood East – 33 cases (22.2% rise), 413.4 per 100,000
Despite the recent spike, the numbers for Lincoln are still lower than the case rate recorded at its peak in January.
Generally, cases are coming down across the county.
As reported previously, the rise in city centre cases has been attributed to the city’s nighttime economy.
Public Health Lincolnshire said that a particularly significant spike had been traced back to one of the city’s central nightclubs.
Natalie Liddle from Outbreak Management at the health body told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that Lincoln and Lincolnshire have traditionally been behind the national trend. The spike recorded, she added, is an expected lag, exacerbated by the lifting of lockdown.
“We have seen a rise in Lincolnshire following the normal pattern. Nationally those cases rose, as we saw in the region, and then began to come down and we have always tended to lag behind that trend. What we’re seeing is that natural spike that we would normally have, unfortunately for us that has coincided with the fact we have come out of lockdown.
“We’re managing a cluster of outbreaks in and around Lincoln. We have seen a particular increase in cases that are linked to nightclubs and the nighttime economy.”
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