LINCOLN 3RD XV 58
SPALDING 2ND XV 10
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: BRIAN PENNEY
Tom Law crossed for four tries as Lincoln’s 3rd XV claimed an impressive 58-10 home victory against Spalding.
Jack Randell grabbed two tries, while George Chirila, Mitch Ashworth, Jacob Taylor, and Josh White each scored one.
Jack Miles kicked four conversions to complete a great afternoon for Lincoln.
Spalding battled hard throughout and their two tries were scored by winger Callum Lewis and hooker Peter Waudby.
Lincoln opened the scoring when the ball bounced off a Spalding forward and into the arms of Randell, who powered through the defender and went over for a try.
The score was soon level as Spalding’s Callum Lewis intercepted the ball from the kick-off, before breaking through the defence and going over for an unconverted try.
Lincoln regained the lead when an excellent offload from Luke Brodrick set up Law to go over for a try under the posts. Miles successfully slotted over the conversion.
Law soon went over for his second try of the match after receiving what he described as a “filthy” pass from Jack Miles to score.
The hosts took a 22-5 lead going in at the break after a well-worked maul led to Taylor offloading the ball to set up an unconverted try for Chirila.
Lincoln extended their lead 10 minutes into the second half after Randell hit a superb line off a pass from Miles. Randell then handed off a Spalding player before running in for a try under the posts, which Miles converted.
Spalding reduced the deficit following a few phases from the forwards and pick and goes. The visitors then drove it over the line and the ball was put down for a try by Waudby.
Lincoln’s man-of-the-match Gary Cain set up Law, who joined the club from Market Rasen in the summer, to run in for his first career hat-trick. Miles added the extras.
Law soon crossed the line again after hard work and an offload from White set up the winger to go over for his fourth try of the match.
Lincoln’s eighth try of the match arrived around the hour mark when the ball went down the line to Ashworth. Ashworth, who had seen a try disallowed earlier in the match, exchanged passes with Kodi Strand before running over the Spalding full-back to score.
There was still time for two further tries from the hosts before the end.
Taylor received a pass from Alex Brodrick before stepping his way past both Spalding centres and trundling over the line from 25 metres out.
White collected a loose ball before stepping a few players and running in for a try, which Miles converted to complete a fine day for Lincoln.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match 3rd XV captain Adam Kelleher said: “It was a really good team performance with great teamwork right from the forwards through to the backs.
“Good tackling and turnover work led to a solid defence, with some lovely passing and support play in attack.
“Worthy mentions for Jack Miles with a tremendous interception and great mature performance, creating and starting a lot of attacking play, as well as Tom Law with a great four-try haul finishing off some impressive team moves.
“The pack came together to win a lot of scrums and providing a solid base to play off.
“With a cracking debut from Karl Potter in the back row and stand-in captain Josh Holiday in the second row.
“Finally, an exceedingly well-earned man-of-the-match performance from Gary Cain who is improving with every game along with his flanking partner Chris Booth.”
Lincoln’s try hero Tom Law added: “It was a solid all-round performance from all the boys. We really knuckled down and grafted hard to set the tone for the season."
Spalding’s 2nd XV captain Richard Stevenson said: “Lincoln were a stronger faster team and Spalding were made up of vets forwards and a young team of backs. We gave all we could on the pitch.”
