LINCOLN IMPS XV 41
MANSFIELD 2ND XV 27
NLD CHALLENGE CUP TROPHY FINAL
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: BILL AND MARIA RHOADES & ADY BRODRICK
Lincoln Imps XV ended their unbeaten season in style by beating Mansfield 41-27 to lift the NLD Challenge Cup Trophy.
Jack Randell crossed for a hat-trick of tries and Mitch Ashworth scored two in a thrilling game at Nottingham which ebbed and flowed, and ultimately ended in Lincoln’s favour.
Kodi Strand also scored a try and Randell successfully kicked four conversions and a penalty to cap a fine season for Lincoln.
Lincoln pinned Mansfield in their half in the early stages of the match before opening the scoring via a Randell penalty.
A great cover tackle by Tom Law then stopped Mansfield, but the Nottinghamshire side had enough supporting players to still score a try.
Mansfield increased their lead with a penalty after 12 minutes, but it wasn’t too long until the score swung back in Lincoln’s favour.
Some good attacking play saw the ball move out to the left-hand side and Strand and Luke Brodrick exchanged passes before the move was finished with a try in the corner. Randell added the extras.
Back came Mansfield who ran through the middle and took advantage of some poor tackling to score a try under the posts, which was also converted.
Lincoln regained their lead around the midway point of the first half. A lineout came off the top and into Ashworth’s hands and the scrum-half burst through and scored a try, which Randell converted.
Mansfield scored an unconverted try, but it was Lincoln who had the final say of the first half to take a narrow 22-20 lead in at the break.
After a set piece move from a scrum on the Mansfield five metre line, Randell passed to Jack Miles before looping him and getting the ball back. Randell then beat one defender before running in for his first try of the match.
Lincoln increased their lead in the second half when Ashworth took a quick tap penalty on the Mansfield 22 and cut through the middle to run in for a try. Randell successfully slotted over the conversion.
Lincoln were soon in again after a great scrum on the Mansfield 10 metre line set a solid platform for the backs. Randell then received a pass from Jack Miles inside his own half, handed off one player and beat the first line of defence, before stepping the full-back to score a try.
Mansfield refused to give up and the game was far from over. After a period of pressure down the left-hand side they continued to gain yards before a move through the hands saw Mansfield score a converted try under the posts.
With the score finely poised, it took a moment of magic from Randell to ensure it would be Lincoln lifting the silverware and celebrating.
Randell picked up a bouncing ball from a scrum about 10 metres out, burst through a gap and beat three defenders and powered over the line, taking a defender with him.
Randell also slotted over the conversion to completely an excellent afternoon for Lincoln.
The result means that Lincoln Imps XV completed a league and cup double and ended their season without losing a single game.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Lincoln captain Sam Cave said: “Firstly, a massive thanks to Mansfield. It was a really competitive game for the 80 minutes and we were tested in both attack and defence.
“We have been working hard since the the semi-final to polish our game and I think that showed.
“We were a little slow coming out of the gates in the first half and after 40 mins the game could have gone either way.
“The second half the lads did what was asked and played our brand of rugby and that was the turning point. Our pack dominated the set piece which gave the back line the freedom to run the ball as they have all season.
“From 1-22 everyone gave everything they had and as captain I couldn’t ask for more. Special mention must go Mitch Ashworth for running the game at 9 and quick thinking to bag his brace of tries.
“It would be an injustice not to mention Jack Randell’s man-of-the-match performance as well. All season he has put a shift in and that culminated in a comprehensive display both in attack and defence.”
Lincoln Coach Andy ‘Taff’ Miles said: “The game was played with intensity by both teams in the bid to securing the win.
“Lincoln were slow to get the game going allowing Mansfield to score early, but in repost the Imps replied with a one-for-one score.
“The scoreline was pretty even going into the break and the game could’ve been won by either team.
“A half-time team talk from the coaches, Director of Rugby, and the team captain seemed to rally everyone and the second half saw a different Imps team with varying plays being introduced and orchestrated by the dynamic duo of Mitch Ashworth and Jack Randell, both players played with exception, as has the entire Imps squad this season.
“A huge shout out to Mansfield who proved very worthy opponents on the day.
“The entire Imps squad have contributed to sealing this victory and the season as a whole.”
His fellow coach Adam 'Trig' Kelleher added: "A fantastic end to a fantastic season. Scoring a try on the last play of the game cannot be any more dramatic.
"A great performance from the entire squad to man-of-the-match hat-trick hero Jack Randell, including my fellow coach Andy Miles, our DoR Douglas Gordon, and our excellent physio Sam Rees.
"It was a fantastic reward to everyone who travelled to support the squad. An unbelievable season. Thank you everyone."
Lincoln’s Director of Rugby Dougie Gordon said: “It was a back and forth game in the first 30 minutes, but then the Imps settled into a good controlled style of play.
“After asking for some tweaks at half-time the lads responded well and the result looked a certainty from then on.
“Man-of-the-match Jack Randell bossed with his physicality and athleticism and led the charge for the rest of the lads with a well-deserved first hat-trick in men’s rugby.
“Kudos must also go to Trig and Taff the 2’s coaches for running the team every Saturday and guiding them to an unbeaten season with a league and cup double.”
