Lincoln’s men’s 1st XV made a positive start to 2023 with a narrow 20-12 home win against Burton’s 2nd XV in Counties 1 Midlands East (North).
Jake Keeton, Dan Hill, Harry Marks and Harry Whittaker all scored tries for Lincoln in damp and muddy conditions at Longdales Park.
Whittaker, along with fellow subs Olly Stringer and Richie Dixon, made a great impact off the bench.
Jake Keeton diving over for a try for Lincoln. | Photo: Mike Lincoln
Dan Hill was also among the try scorers for Lincoln. | Photo: Mike Lincoln
Lincoln full-back Harry Marks going over for a try against Burton. | Photo: Mike Lincoln
It was Whittaker’s late try which ultimately secured the bonus point for Lincoln. Captain Lewis Wilson broke and made about 40 metres, before passing inside to set up the try for the youngster.
Lincoln can certainly take plenty of positives out of the game, including their dominance in the set piece.
Lincoln now sit fourth in the table and travel to face second-placed Mellish in their next game on Saturday, January 14.
Lincoln’s 1st XV after beginning 2023 with a home win against Burton. | Photo: Dougie Gordon
Lincoln’s 1st XV captain Lewis Wilson in action against Burton. | Photo: Mike Lincoln
Lincoln Imps XV began 2023 with a battling win over Skegness. | Photo: Tony Clayton
Lincoln’s Imps XV also made a winning start to the new year as Jack Miles crossed for a late try in a 24-17 home victory against a gutsy Skegness in NLD Merit Table East 1.
Brandon Hogan, Tom Law and Luke Brodrick also scored tries for Lincoln and Jack Randell successfully slotted over two conversions.
Lincoln Imps XV captain Sam Cave jumping in the lineout. | Photo: Tony Clayton
Jack Randell kicking a conversion for Lincoln. | Photo: Tony Clayton
Skegness’ man-of-the-match Lewis Morgan in action against Lincoln. | Photo: Moose Photography
Matthew Coley, Lewis Morgan, and John Hummel all crossed for tries for Skegness, who were playing for the first time in the kit from their new long-term sponsor of the club Tomlinsons Caravan Park.
Skegness’ remaining points came via the boot of Hummel, who kicked one conversion.
Skegness duo Aaron Radford and John Hummel. | Photo: Moose Photography
Skegness club chairman James Cook and vice captain Adam Ongley. | Photo: Moose Photography
Rose Buchanan was named as Lincoln Ladies’ player of the match against Derby. | Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Lincoln Ladies battled hard but were unable to turn enough of their large spells of possession into points as they begun 2023 with a narrow 14-5 home defeat against Derby.
Derby scored the only try of the opening 40 minutes to take a narrow 7-0 lead in at the break.
Lincoln’s Jenna Bierton shrugging off the Derby defence. | Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Lincoln captain Abi Lee preparing to launch a kick downfield. | Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Lincoln hit back to reduce the deficit to just two points within 10 minutes of the restart. Captain Abi Lee set up Lincoln’s player of the match Rose Buchanan on a crash ball.
Buchanan then sucked in three players before popping the ball up to Jenna Bierton, who passed to Fluck. Fluck then outpaced two defenders before beating the Derby full-back to go over for a great try.
Harriet Fluck crossing for Lincoln’s only try of the match. | Photo: Mike Lincoln
Shannon Snell in action for Lincoln Ladies against Derby. | Photo: Katie Nesbitt
Lincoln Ladies and Derby preparing to contest a scrum. | Photo: Mike Lincoln
Derby scored their second try in the second half. Lincoln also made it close to the Derby try line several times in the final minutes, but just couldn’t quite execute their chances enough to avoid a narrow defeat.
Lillie Smith in action for Boston Ladies against Sleaford. | Photo: David Dales
Elsewhere, in local women’s rugby, Boston Ladies claimed a hard-fought 21-0 victory at home against Sleaford in an all-Lincolnshire clash in Women’s NC 2 Midlands (North East).
Hannah Booth, Tiana Wollaston and Lillie Smith all scored tries in an impressive performance by Boston.
Boston’s Sherrie Christian was named as their back of the match against her former club. | Photo: David Dales
Boston’s Max Heeley trying to run through the Sleaford defence. | Photo: David Dales
Boston’s Mollie Smith leaping highest to win a lineout against Sleaford. | Photo: David Dales
Boston’s remaining points came via the boot of Booth who successfully kicked all three conversions.
Sleaford battled hard and refused to give up despite the result.
Boston’s Paige Heeley putting in a tackle against Sleaford. | Photo: David Dales
Kesteven Ladies try scorer Kelly Chittock with captain Jade Sheardown.
In the same division, Kesteven Ladies showed great heart in a battling 31-15 defeat away against Sutton Bonington Students Ladies.
Kesteven’s tries were scored by Kelly Chittock, Hannah Weston-Smith, and Hermione Farmer.
Izzy Russell in action for Kesteven Ladies. | Photo: Amanda Wilcox
Scunthorpe’s Jodie Britcliffe carrying the ball. | Photo: Debz Thompson
In Women’s NC 2 North (East), Ella Nutbrown and Trisa Mahoney both scored tries as Scunthorpe Women lost 22-10 at home against Doncaster.
Scunthorpe can take plenty of positives away from the match which saw Mahoney named as their forward of the match.
Jorja Lyons ready to pass for Scunthorpe. | Photo: Debz Thompson
Victoria Moody competing at the lineout for Scunthorpe. | Photo: Debz Thompson
Jorja Lyons was named as Scunthorpe’s back of the match, while Doncaster picked out Jodie Britcliffe as the North Lincolnshire club’s best player.
Jorja Lyons, Jodie Britcliffe, and Trisa Mahoney all won post-match awards for Scunthorpe.
Stamford’s Stevie Morrison running at the Belper defence. | Photo: Darren Dolby/Stamford Women’s Rugby
Captain Daisy Attley slotted over a penalty as Stamford Women beat Belper 13-0 in a friendly in Derbyshire.
Annmarie Mullen and Georgia Mackinley both scored tries for Stamford.
Annmarie Mullen in action for Stamford Women. | Photo: Darren Dolby/Stamford Women’s Rugby
Stamford coach Paul Beard said: “It took us a little bit to get going, but the determination and desire from the girls got us the win.
“We hope to use it as a springboard for the rest of the season now to continue our growth and development.”
Georgia Mackinley crossing for a try for Stamford Women. | Photo: Darren Dolby/Stamford Women’s Rugby
Other Results – Men’s Rugby
In Regional 1 North East, James Dyson scored his side’s only try of the match as Scunthorpe secured a losing bonus point in a 14-7 defeat at Ilkley.
Scunthorpe’s remaining points came via the boot of Ben Hyde who kicked one conversion.
Marius Berger running in for one of his two tries. | Photo: Milo Berger
In Counties 1 Midlands East (North), Market Rasen & Louth felt they had victory snatched away from them after Loughborough were awarded a penalty try in the last play of the game.
Marius Berger grabbed a brace of tries, and Jake Pryer and Sam Lempard each scored one, as Rasen suffered a 28-22 defeat.
Jake Pryer on the run for Market Rasen. | Photo: Milo Berger
Mike Starling making a pass for Market Rasen. | Photo: Milo Berger
Their remaining points came via the boot of Spen Holvey, who successfully kicked one conversion in windy conditions.
Olly Arnold making a break to set up Marius Berger for a try. | Photo: Milo Berger
In Counties 1 Midlands East (South), a late try from Josh Lynch helped Bourne to a narrow 25-23 win away against Market Bosworth.
It was the second of Lynch’s two tries and Jamie Colangelo also crossed for a five pointer.
Captain Sam Evision successfully kicked two conversions and two penalties to ensure victory for the Lincolnshire side.
In the same division, Stamford battled hard in a 25-14 defeat away against St Ives (Midlands).
Boston began 2023 with an emphatic 51-0 win against Bakewell. | Photo: Harry Fowler
In Counties 2 Midlands East (North), Boston continued their push for promotion as two tries from Jose Araujo helped them to a 51-0 home victory against Bakewell Mannerians.
James Bray diving over for his first senior try for Boston. | Photo: David Dales
Deano Deane, Lewis Eldin, Mason Coulam, James Bray, Koebi Austin, and Danny Wilson also scored tries for Boston.
Boston’s remaining points came via the boot of Matt Bray who kicked four conversions and one penalty.
Mason Coulam in action for Boston against Bakewell. | Photo: David Dales
Koebi Austin scoring his first senior try for Boston. | Photo: David Dales
In the top-of-the-table clash, leaders Kesteven came out on top with a narrow 14-6 win against second-placed Mansfield at Woodnook.
Gav Purvis crossed for a try, which was converted by Joe Raddings, while the hosts were also awarded a penalty try.
Billy Nicholson scoring a try for Gainsborough against Nottingham Moderns. | Photo: Michael Collins Photography
Gainsborough pushed Nottingham Moderns all the way as they secured a losing bonus point in a narrow 22-21 defeat at home against Nottingham Moderns.
Harry Beresford grabbed a brace of tries for Gainsborough and Billy Nicholson scored one.
Robbie Goodyear in action for Gainsborough against Nottingham Moderns. | Photo: Michael Collins Photography
Gainsborough’s Harry Beresford in action with several Nottingham Moderns players hanging off him. | Photo: Michael Collins Photogprahy
Brad Beresford kicked Gainsborough’s remaining points by successfully slotting over all three conversions.
Evan Picking crossed for two tries as Grimsby battled hard in a 28-12 home defeat against Nottingham Casuals.
Jess Matthews added one conversion for Grimsby, while Will Stowe impressed on his debut for this hosts following his move from Hull Ionians.
In Counties 2 Midlands East (South), second-placed Spalding continued their great league campaign as Sam Noble’s two tries helped them to a 12-10 home victory against Northampton Mens Own.
Conall Mason successfully slotted over one conversion for Spalding who have won 12 of their 13 league games so far this season and they sit seven points behind leaders Daventry.
North Hykeham enjoyed a great 52-5 victory against Paviors. | Photo: Max Foster
North Hykeham had a day to remember in Counties 3 Midlands East (North) as they secured a comprehensive 52-5 victory over Paviors’ 2nd XV.
Dan Furneaux crossed for a hat-trick of tries for Hykeham and Leo Cross grabbed a brace on a fine afternoon for the Lincolnshire side.
Sam Cooke, Jamie Robson, and Max Foster also scored tries for Hykeham, with the latter successfully slotting over six conversions.
In the same division, Sleaford were also victorious as Adam Loveday and Peter Vince both scored tries in a 21-19 win at Ollerton.
Sleaford’s remaining points came via the boot of Tim O’Sullivan who kicked three penalties and one conversion.
In Counties 3 Midlands East (South), Kieran Lynch slotted over two penalties as Deepings endured a difficult start to the year with a 31-6 home defeat against leaders Bedford Swifts.
Deepings were still able to take several positives out of the game, including the performance of their man-of-the-match George Stevens.
Alan Flanders and Lewis Manning both scored tries as Stamford College Old Boys battled hard in a 20-12 defeat at South Leicester.
The Lincolnshire side’s remaining points came from Carl Brierley Lewis who kicked one conversion.
In the East Yorkshire Merit League, Captain Oliver Brett and Joe Bradley both scored tries as Barton & District lost 26-17 at home against Hullensians.
Morgan Williams successfully slotted over both conversions and kicked a penalty for the home side.
Market Rasen’s 2nd XV – the Wolfhounds – after their victory against Horncastle. | Photo: Market Rasen & Louth RUFC
In NLD Merit Table East 1, Adam Teskey crossed for a hat-trick of tries as Market Rasen’s 2nd XV beat Horncastle 39-12.
Captain Angus Treadgold and Ben Keat both grabbed a brace of tries, while Calum Dufton kicked two conversions.
Adam Wood and Phil Wingham both scored tries for Horncastle, with Troy Willerton adding one conversion.
Action from the match between Market Rasen and Horncastle. | Photo: Joe Wenman
Kesteven’s 2nd XV were also in action with a friendly at Mansfield and two tries from Jack Palin helped them to a 22-19 win.
Finn Tumman and Olly Coyal also scored tries for Kesteven and the latter also added one conversion.
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Exciting news for MyLocal app users and The Lincolnite readers! Our latest update is now available to download from your app store and comes packed with the best local news experience you can enjoy.
Revamped News Feed: Enjoy faster loading times and smoother scrolling that make catching up on local news a breeze.
New Play Video Feed: Dive into a dynamic video feed that brings local stories to life in a whole new way.
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Update your MyLocal app from your app store (version 2.73) now and start enjoying these great new features today!
P.S.: Start your MyLocal membership today to support MyLocal and The Lincolnite deliver you a better local news experience and honest journalism from across Lincolnshire.
P.P.S.: We have some huge things in the pipeline, stay tuned!