LINCOLN LADIES 5
STAMFORD WOMEN 39
NLD WOMEN'S CUP FINAL
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: PARKES FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY & JOSEPH VERNEY
Lincoln Ladies showed great character but were beaten 39-5 by a more physical Stamford side in the NLD Women’s Cup Final at Longdales Park on Sunday.
Winger Jorja Matchwick crossed for a hat-trick of tries for Stamford who completed a league and cup treble in a fantastic promotion-winning season.
Centre Sarah Mitchelson grabbed a brace of tries and captain Gemma Alcoran and vice captain Nikki Hudson each scored one, while Daisy Attley successfully slotted over two conversions.
Lincoln, who were without players including top try scorer Jenna Bierton, battled hard throughout and their try was scored by Hannah ‘Midge’ Kelley.
Stamford started strongly with Alcoran being stopped just metres short of the try line. Matchwick also made a good early break before Mitchelson crashed over for her first try of the afternoon after five minutes.
The visitors continued to put pressure on Lincoln who defended strongly, but it wasn’t long before Mitchelson forced her way over for her second try.
Lincoln started to create more in attack with Liv Briggs strong in the lineout, while at the other end Rachel Cozens made a great tackle to thwart a Stamford attack.
Stamford soon increased their lead as Hudson forced her way over for a try, which Attley converted, before a quick pass put captain Alcoran over to score.
Although the gap in the scoreline didn’t fully reflect the game, Stamford were clinical when it mattered. They added another try late in the first half as Matchwick sprinted down the wing to score and Attley added a conversion to give them a 29-0 lead going in at the break.
Lincoln made a double change at half-time, including the forced substitution of captain Abigail Lee due to injury. Lee and Claire HC were replaced by India Lyall and Daisy Taylor for the second half.
The second half was a much closer-fought battle, but Stamford were the first to score and increase their lead as Matchwick showed good pace to score her second try of the afternoon.
Lincoln produced some great defensive sets to keep Stamford out before a great tackle by Sarah Fox-Fiddes won possession back for the hosts. At the other end, Lincoln also started to create more in attack, including a strong break by Rose Buchanan.
Cozens and Meg Lee both made great tackles to thwart Stamford attacks, while Jen Davey came off the bench to make her Lincoln debut.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Matchwick evaded several tackles to run in for a try to complete her hat-trick.
Lincoln finished the game strongly with Kelly King, Daisy Taylor and Rose Buchanan all tackled just metres short of the try line.
The hosts weren’t to be denied soon after as a crash ball from a ruck put Kelley over to score a well-deserved try as they ended the day with the runners-up trophy.
It wasn’t to be for Lincoln on the day, but they can be proud of their overall season after finishing third in Women’s NC 1 East.
Vice captain Lucy Ellis was named as Lincoln’s coach’s player of the match, while Rose Buchanan and Jade Morgan were jointly named as players’ player. Morgan was also named as Lincoln’s best performer by Stamford’s players.
After the match Deanna Clarke, Sarah Fox-Fiddes, Claire HC and Emily Nelson were all awarded special ties to mark their appearance milestones.
Stamford completed a treble winning season by finishing top of Women’s NC 2 Midlands (North) and lifting both the Lincolnshire Cup and NLD Cup.
In the NLD Cup Final Sarah Mitchelson and Hannah Dennis were named as Stamford’s back and forward of the match respectively, while Lincoln chose Mathwick as their opponent’s best performer.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Lincoln Ladies Head Coach Dale Smith said: “After a positive league season, today was always going to be a hard-fought contest.
“Credit to Stamford as their physicality shone through throughout, but we showed good character to keep battling until the final whistle and we were rewarded with a late try.”
Lincoln vice captain Lucy Ellis said: “I am really proud of the whole team effort. Everyone put their body on the line and we should be proud of our achievements over the whole season. Onwards and upwards and we will build in pre-season.”
Stamford Women coach Paul Beard said: “it was a fantastic game. The ladies really had their sights set on their third trophy of the season and they showed that in the first half.
“Both sides were really physical but I really thought it was Stamford’s breakdown game that put us in the ascendency.
“I couldn’t be prouder of all the players, coaches, and support staff for playing their part in this historic treble winning season.”
Stamford captain Gemma Alcoran said: “We enjoyed the higher level of competition with Lincoln being a league above and we wanted that challenge.
“We came with a job to do and I think we are the first team in the club’s history to win the treble."
