SCUNTHORPE 1ST XV 38
LINCOLN 1ST XV 14
LINCOLNSHIRE CUP NORTHERN FINAL
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
Harry Marks and Matt Keeton both scored tries as Lincoln battled bravely at Scunthorpe in a 38-14 defeat in the Lincolnshire Cup Northern Final.
Lincoln went into the match as holders after beating Stamford in the 2019 final and had won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions prior to Wednesday night’s cup fixture.
However, the Red & Greens knew it would be a difficult contest against a Scunthorpe side who play two divisions higher in the Midlands Premier.
Scunthorpe were determined to bounce back from their NLD Cup semi-final defeat at Paviors last time out, and they did just that thanks to two tries from captain, and club stalwart, Tom Foster.
The hosts started strongly and were rewarded with a try after just five minutes when pressure from the forwards saw prop Ollie Cole crash over to score. Tom Alldridge added the extras.
Lincoln put pressure on Scunthorpe in the first half, but just couldn’t turn it into points and it proved costly when their opponents extended their lead after 24 minutes.
Scunthorpe were awarded a penalty try in the right-hand corner after the referee deemed that Jake Keeton’s no arm tackle had prevented a score.
Number Eight Jack Brunt powered over to score a try after a catch and drive by the hosts from five metres out to give Scunthorpe a 19-0 lead going in at the break.
Lincoln reduced the deficit early in the second half after a break from their own 10 metre line. Good handling from the forwards and backs then set up full-back Marks, who beat three players to go over for a try. Louie Cooke’s conversion from wide out on the right bounced in off the upright.
Scunthorpe increased their lead after busting a couple of tackles with big forward carries before Foster went over for an unconverted try to the right of the sticks.
The fly-half was soon in again when, after a lot of phases in the red zone by Scunthorpe, he ghosted through a disconnect in Lincoln’s defensive line to run in for a try under the posts. Alldridge added the extras.
Lincoln refused to give up and continued to put in a big shift, which was rewarded with their second try of the match.
After a pick and go, Matt Keeton took a nice pop ball from scrum-half Jack Noquet and smashed through two tackles to go over for a try, with support from Harry Whittaker. Cooke successfully slotted over the conversion.
Scunthorpe centre Liam Brunt joined his brother Jack in getting a try when he stepped past three players and showed great pace to score.
Alldridge added the extras to ensure Scunthorpe’s place in the final against Stamford next month.
Lincoln will return to action with their final league match of the season away against local rivals Market Rasen & Louth on Saturday, April 23.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
LINCOLN
After the match Lincoln’s Director of Rugby Ross Tarnowski said: “In large parts we played well, but one of our biggest problems was when we got to our third phase we were running isolated and close to their pack and got turned over so many times.
“When we did have structure and played to our shape we looked dangerous, but our accuracy and execution were the two main elements that cost us.
“Our physicality was good and we held them out on our five metre line on quite a few occasions. Our set piece after the first 10 minutes, considering we were up against a pretty much first team pack, was good and we competed well.”
Coach Dougie Gordon added: “Playing as well as they have tonight (Wednesday) the lads have realised the level they can play at, and that will galvanise them ahead of a big derby on Saturday.”
Captain Lewis Wilson said: “We played really well in phases and fronted up physically.
“We are really happy with the set piece and will use it as a learning curve for our last game of the season.
“Thank you to Scunthorpe for hosting us and best of luck in the final of the competition.”
SCUNTHORPE
Scunthorpe Head Coach Tim Robinson said: “It was a really good game. I thought Lincoln played well and showed good shape in the first half and stretched us a bit.
“We scrambled quite well and varied the game, and went direct and used more width in the second half. It was a really good game of rugby.
“We lost in the NLD semi-final Saturday just gone, which was hard to stomach as we butchered four or five chances to be out of sight, but it is good to bounce back and get to the final.
“We were able to mix the squad to include some Stags and also some third team lads came up – Robbie Goodyear, Gav Hale, and Keelen Owen.”
On try-hero and captain Tom Foster, he added: “Lincoln came back into the game at 19-7, then Tom came up with two quality scores, which were very trademark of how he plays the game.
“He has been a phenomenal servant to the club and hopefully he’ll stick around for another season.”
Captain Tom Foster, who is now preparing for his 500th league appearance for the club when Scunthorpe host Bromsgrove on Saturday, said: “We’re really happy with the result but I think the scoreline flattered us a little bit.
“Lincoln dominated territory and possession for periods of the game, but weren’t able to turn it into points.
“We were just a little bit more clinical when it mattered, but credit to Lincoln for a really competitive game.”
