LINCOLN IMPS XV 30
KESTEVEN 2ND XV 13
NLD CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINAL
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
John Feeney crossed for a brace of tries as Lincoln Imps XV booked their place in the NLD Challenge Cup Final with a 30-13 home victory against a gutsy Kesteven side.
Lincoln won their NLD Merit Table East 1 league campaign without losing a match, but they knew Saturday’s cup semi-final clash had the potential to be very tough, especially after a closely-fought 35-24 win over the Black Army back in January.
Lincoln started strongly and opened the scoring after just five minutes. Jack Miles and Jack Randell combined well before great footwork by man-of-the-match Feeney saw the flanker go over for a try.
The hosts increased their lead just six minutes later when good hands by Miles set up prop Sam Moate, who powered through an opposition player and outpaced the defence to run in for a try from around 10 metres out. Randell added the extras.
Randell, who put in an excellent performance, nearly added to Lincoln’s lead after 18 minutes but his penalty drifted narrowly wide.
A determined Kesteven reduced the deficit midway through the first half when Jack Johnson offloaded the ball to Toby Firth, who showed great pace to run from inside his own half to score a great try, which Matt Grinney converted.
Kesteven cut the gap in the score to just two points when Grinney successfully slotted over a penalty shortly before the half hour mark.
Kesteven were reduced to 14 men when Finn Tunman was shown a yellow card, which the referee confirmed was for chatting back.
Lincoln made the most of having the extra man by scoring a try to take a 17-10 lead in at the break.
After expertly stealing a Kesteven lineout, captain Sam Cave then made great yards and the ball went through the hands to Kodi Strand, who was denied near the try line by an excellent last-ditch tackle. Rory Standish reacted quickest to get the ball and power over for a try.
Just before half-time Cave was forced off injured and James Willows-Chamberlin came off the bench to replace him.
Kesteven showed some early attacking intent in the second half with Adam Draper stepping a player and making good yards, but Lincoln soon regained possession after being awarded a penalty.
A well-worked lineout and drive by Lincoln, and great strength by Moate, set up Feeney to break off down the blind side and power through a few defenders to score his second try of the match after 48 minutes. Randell successfully slotted over the conversion.
Grinney once again showed precision with his kicking as his penalty reduced the deficit to 11 points.
Lincoln extended their lead when Randell excellently kicked a penalty on the hour mark and the hosts were controlling good spells of the match.
Kesteven kept working hard and Chris Rowan made a good break after 66 minutes, but unfortunately he didn’t have enough support and the move came to nothing.
Lincoln lost scrum-half Mitch Ashworth to the sin bin for what the referee deemed to be a dangerous tackle and this appeared to spur Kesteven on.
Flanker Davey Hodgson made a good break and powered through a few players, but Lincoln’s defence inside their own 22 was superb and kept Kesteven out.
Alex Brodrick was then shown a yellow card for a trip, leaving Lincoln down to 13 men and the result potentially in the balance with the player disadvantage. Lincoln, however, did not let this stand in their way and they produced some superb defence to maintain their lead.
Kesteven had a good chance with just 10 minutes remaining after a great break by Firth, but an excellent last-ditch tackle by Randell kept him out.
Randell was soon in the thick of the action again during some good attacking pressure by Lincoln, but he was held up just short of the line. Lincoln still had penalty advantage and Randell opted to go for goal, but his attempt missed.
The fly-half put in a great performance and made no mistake with his next kick as he slotted over a penalty to put Lincoln further in front inside the final five minutes of the match.
Lincoln ran out worthy winners and will face Mansfield in the NLD Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, May 13.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Lincoln Imps XV coach Andy Miles said: “The Lincoln set piece dominated again, in particular scrummaging. Scrummaging proved to be a springboard to our attacking play.
“Credit must be given to the Imps defensively for a period which we were down to 13 men. The Imps showed tenacity and guile to prevent any score during this period.
“Kesteven proved worthy opponents and it was a see-saw event for 80 minutes.
“There are areas to work on and the team will work on these in preparation for the final on May 13.”
He added: “Harry Hicks, Mitch Ashworth, and Jack Randell controlled the game and John Feeney put in a performance worthy of man-of-the-match.”
Lincoln captain Sam Cave said: “Firstly, a huge thanks to everyone who came down to cheer us on. Their support across the season has been incredible.
“Having played Kesteven twice in the league, we knew it wasn't going to be an easy game. Each game they have made us work harder for the win and this was no exception.
“As for the Imps, everyone from 1-20 gave everything and I couldn't be prouder. We switched off a few times in the game and let them back in, but all in all this was perhaps the best 80 minutes of rugby as a team.
“The pack dominated the set pieces and this enabled our back line to do what they have been doing all season - playing Lincoln attacking rugby.
“There are some areas to polish over the next couple of weeks before the final and I know the lads will be putting a shift in.
“With only 80 minutes of rugby left in the season, we'd like to thank Director of Rugby Dougie, and coaches Brian, Trig, Taff, and Tony for their time, knowledge and belief in the team.”
Kesteven head coach Matt McClurg said: “Overall, I am really pleased with the performance and I thought we were gritty.
“18 months ago Lincoln would have walked it, which shows how far we’ve come, and it has beeen good development for the Baa Baas.
“Simon Morgan rolled back the years at nine, there were strong carries by Max Nicklin, storming runs by Michael Pinder, and big first up tackles by Dunc Bateson.”
