BY JOSEPH VERNEY AND GARETH BEESE
Lincoln’s Under-16s dedicated Sunday's 20-5 derby victory against Market Rasen & Louth to their much-loved teammate Sam Staple who sadly died last week.
The club was recently saddened by the news that Sam lost his life on Tuesday, September 24 and he will be missed by everyone at Lincoln RFC.
He is described as a “funny, cheeky, larger than life character” who was “enthusiastic about playing rugby” and his presence was greatly missed by his family, friends, teammates and everyone at Lincoln Rugby Club when the Under-16s took to the pitch on Sunday. Players from both sides were friends and classmates of Sam’s and they showed great bravery in opting to play the match in his memory.
The true meaning of the words rugby family came to the fore as both side’s impeccably observed a minute’s silence in memory of the De Aston School pupil before the match.
Sam’s family also attended the game and, after an emotional pre-match tribute, Lincoln captain James Thomas presented them with a bouquet of flowers. Sam’s family felt the warmth and support of the rugby community at what is a very difficult and emotional time.
As always is the case in matches between these teams, no quarter was given or taken, and a physical, attritional, noisy battle played out, fittingly in the fairest of rugby spirits, aided by excellent refereeing from Sam Cahill.
Lincoln ran out 20-5 winners thanks to tries from Tom Fletcher, Oscar Wood, Ben Lintin and Morgan Beese and Sam would have been proud of all the players, but happy that his team secured the bragging rights.
Market Rasen also played with great heart and determination and their try was scored by Joe Rippin.
The match was followed by a message of thanks to both teams from Lincoln’s coach Gareth Beese before ties were presented to home debutants Ryan Waddingham-Shears and Louis Hewitt.
Lincoln’s Under-16’s coach Gareth Beese said: “I’d just like to thank all of the rugby family, at clubs across the country and especially here at Lincoln RFC for the love and support that you have shown to Sam Staple, his family and his teammates during this terrible week. Your tributes and messages of support have been shared and displayed on TV screens in the clubhouse.
“It was a tough day at the office for Lincoln’s Under-16s as they played a compelling match against Market Rasen & Louth in the week of Sam Staple’s death.
“Sam attended De Aston school in Market Rasen, with many of the opposition his classmates, so it had been a difficult week for our opponents too.
“Sam’s family attended the match, which was an emotional, but fitting tribute! After an emotional pre-match tribute, Lincoln’s skipper presented Sam’s family with a bouquet, before kick-off, and whilst their loss is acute, they felt the warmth of support from the rugby community.
“The young men of both teams continue to surprise us with their sensitivity and emotional intelligence, evidenced by the conversations that many of the players had with Sam’s family, before and after the game, not to mention their bravery in wanting to play - we are proud of them, and they should be proud of each other.
Sam will be sorely missed, but never forgotten, and with your help, memories have been made in his name this weekend. Thank you again.”
Lincoln’s Director of Age Grade Rugby Chris Briggs said: “With this being the saddest of times I felt so sad for Sam’s family but I also felt immense pride for how our players, coaches and club handled this, and I must mention the wider rugby family; their support has been absolutely phenomenal.
“The amount of respect that has been shown has been very uplifting in the saddest of times.”
