LINCOLN LADIES 15
BOSTON LADIES 23
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
Centre Emelia Twesigye marked her senior debut with a try and the coach’s player of the match award as Lincoln Ladies’ return to rugby ended in a narrow 23-15 home defeat against Boston.
Tewsigye’s centre partner Jenna Bierton, and full-back Lynne Brooker-Brown, also crossed for tries for Lincoln.
Jess Pearce grabbed two tries for Boston and Sydney Elston scored one, while Hannah Booth added a conversion and two penalties to seal victory for the visitors.
Lincoln squandered four great chances to score inside the first 20 minutes of the match, and it was Boston who took the lead via a Booth penalty.
Lincoln hit back as Twesigye broke through the midfield from just over the 22 before sidestepping a tackler and outpacing the covering defence. One of the Boston players managed to get back to stop the centre a metre out from the try line, but the force of the tackle saw Twesigye bundle over to score.
The hosts increased their lead when Bierton ran onto a kick over the top from Twesigye. Boston then fumbled the ball before Bierton kicked it forward towards the try line and dived onto it to score.
Boston reduced the deficit after a big crash pod from a lineout led to a well-worked backs move, which set up Pearce for a try in the corner.
Pearce was soon in again as after hard work from the forwards set her up to power over for a try from five metres out.
Lincoln edged back in front after decent work by the forwards down the left-hand side put the hosts in a decent position around 10 metres out from the try line. A well-orchestrated move through the backs set up Brooker-Brown to go over for a try near the corner.
Boston took a narrow 16-15 lead in at the break after being awarded a penalty. Booth converted the kick at the second attempt after the first one was charged down by Lincoln.
Lincoln spent a lot of the second half attacking and were held up twice, as well as being denied by a knock-on near the try line despite no defence in the way.
Lincoln continued to chase the win as the tired legs of Boston continued to be tested, but the visitors’ defence once again held strong.
Boston extended their lead to eight points in the final quarter of the match as Booth’s chip over the top was gathered by Pearce. Pearce looked certain to score her hat-trick, but was tackled just short of the try line.
The ball was quickly recycled and Lycia Elston drew the Lincoln defence in before offloading for Sydney Elston to go over for a try, which Booth converted.
Lincoln came back strongly and piled more pressure onto Boston. With the last play of the game Lincoln had a free-kick, but Boston’s defence held firm and another turnover from Hannah Dennis secured victory for the visitors.
Not only was the game played in a fantastic spirit, but it also saw four Sleaford Ladies players feature for Lincoln to give them game time and help make up the numbers for the friendly match.
Sherrie Christian, Jo Parkes, Emily Decelles and Becca Grice all enjoyed a great run out for Lincoln, with the latter happy to be playing her first game of rugby since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in December 2019.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
Lincoln Ladies head coach Brian Kelly said: “Everybody that turned up was fantastic and I couldn’t fault their effort.
“The Sleaford girls also fitted in really well and showed a lot of energy and determination and never took a backwards step.
“I’m sure the girls will be disappointed that they didn’t come away with the win considering how many times they could’ve scored, but a lot of that was down to Boston’s defence.
“It was a really good first run out of the season with lots of positives and really good determination. The backline of the team only had two players in it that played for us last year, so they all adapted well.
“Laura Gregory, Emelia (Twesigye) and Abigail (Lee) all made their debuts in what was essentially a brand new side to where we were last year and there were encouraging early signs.”
On Boston, he added: “Boston’s defence was really good and they played to their strengths. They were good in the rucks and the forwards worked really hard and it is clear they have improved from last season."
Boston Ladies head coach Paul Beard said: “I am really happy with the efforts out there. After a long period away from the game, we were using this period of games to try people in new positions and bed some new players into the game.
“So to perform this well in the early stages on our next step I’m very proud. The girls showed heart and determination against a powerful Lincoln side.”
POST MATCH AWARDS
LINCOLN
BACK OF THE MATCH – Abigail Lee
FORWARD OF THE MATCH – Ella Frow
COACH’S PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Emelia Twesigye
OPPOSITION’S CHOICE FOR LINCOLN PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Ella Frow
BOSTON
BACK OF THE MATCH – Lycia Elston
FORWARD OF THE MATCH – Tania Ashcroft Jones
OPPOSITION’S CHOICE FOR BOSTON PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Hannah Dennis
