SCUNTHORPE DEVELOPMENT XV 55
LINCOLN IMPS XV 17
NLD MERIT LEAGUE 1 EAST
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: JEN DAVEY
Lincoln Imps XV travelled to Scunthorpe with several players missing due to injury and unavailability and, although the players who stepped up did a great job, the home side’s clinical first half ultimately proved the difference as they won 55-17.
Scunthorpe opened the scoring after just six minutes as hooker Jug Johal went over for a try, which was converted by Charlie Turner.
Scrum-half Turner then showed good footwork to go over for and convert his own try four minutes later.
The hosts increased their lead when Phil Jepson went over for a try and it wasn’t long before Turner grabbed his second of the game.
It was then the turn of Alfie Oldridge, who was playing alongside his brother Reggie, to go over for a try and Turner added the extras.
Lincoln reduced the deficit after a strong scrum on the halfway line saw Jack Williams, Luke Brodrick and Thomas Bruce exchange passes to take the visitors towards the 22. Good interplay between Will Hewing and Williams set up the latter to run in for a try.
More good footwork by Turner saw him run for another try to complete his hat-trick before succesfully slotting over the conversion.
Lincoln refused to give up and after 32 minutes Brodrick intercepted the ball and took it inside the opposition’s red zone.
After three phases, a Scunthorpe was found to be offside when they turned the ball over and the resulting penalty saw Sam Tunnicliffe drive forward. He then set up Bowen Jones who offloaded the ball for Williams who touched down just to the left of the posts.
Scunthorpe scored one more try in the closing stages of the first half to take a 45-10 lead in at the break. Dave Garbutt took a pass before carrying a player over the line for a try, which Henry Dawson converted.
The second half was a much closer affair with Scunthorpe only narrowly edging it 10-7.
However, their first score of the half came after just five minutes when Reggie Oldridge, who was making his senior debut, picked the ball up from a ruck and ran in for a try from the 22. Scunthorpe then increased their lead as Dawson went over for an unconverted try.
The final score of the game went to Lincoln, who secured a lineout before an excellent maul saw them push Scunthorpe back 15 metres and James Johnson powered over for a try. Williams added the extras.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Lincoln Imps XV captain Dave Rose-Allen said: “It was a difficult game due to injury and player availability. I’m immensely proud of the lads who turned out and put in a solid performance.
“We had several players from our third team who are new to the sport and showed commitment throughout the 80 minutes.
“As a team we represented the spirit of rugby and never gave up. As captain I can’t ask for more than that.”
Scunthorpe coach Dave Oldridge said: “The game was done at half-time, but the second half was much closer.
“It’s really good seeing ex-1s and old boys Jug Johal and Dave Garbutt playing alongside youngsters Charlie Turner, Alfie and Reg Oldridge. They are learning huge amounts from them.”
Dave also coached his two sons Alfie and Reggie and his own brother Richard during the match in North Lincolnshire.
