LINCOLN 1ST XV 34
MELLISH 1ST XV 33
NLD CUP
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
Six different try scorers got their names on the scoresheet as Lincoln’s 1st XV held off a fightback from Mellish for a 34-33 home win in the NLD Cup.
Jim Calveley, Owen Mitchinson Ben Sykes, Nico Papworth, Thomas Brookes and captain Lewis Wilson grabbed a try apiece for the hosts, with Richie Dixon adding two conversions.
Lincoln opened the scoring after just three minutes when a quick ruck ball from a carry in the 22 saw Calveley pick it up and go over for a try from five metres out.
The hosts extended their lead after a break from Sykes released Scotty Edmed, who offloaded the ball for Mitchinson to run in for a try. Dixon successfully slotted over the conversion.
Mellish then played off the set piece 20 metres from their own try line and the ball reached their fly-half. He tried to give it short to the inside man, but was tackled by Sykes who ripped the ball off him and ran in for a try.
Lincoln prop David Beveridge put a chip through and it landed straight into the grateful arms of a Mellish player for an interception try as the visitors cut the gap in the score to 17-7 going in at the break.
The hosts increased their lead within two minutes of the restart after a great ball inside from Dixon, as well as good support play by Wilson, set up Papworth to run in for an unconverted try.
Lincoln looked to have put the result beyond doubt when Brookes intercepted the ball and kicked it along the ground, before diving on it to score.
Mellish responded with an unconverted try in the left-hand corner, but Lincoln were soon back in the ascendency.
An offload by Dixon set up captain Wilson, who barged his way through three players to go over for a try. Dixon successfully slotted over the conversion to give Lincoln a 22-point lead.
Lincoln made several changes, including the introduction of full-back John Neville and flanker Chris Scurfield, with both performing well on their debuts and the latter making some good tackles.
Although Lincoln had dominated for large spells, the fitness of the squad started to take hold in the final 20 minutes of the match.
Mellish reduced the deficit when the bounce of the ball from a kick through was misread by Lincoln. The ball was then knocked on behind the try line and Mellish took advantage to score.
Poor defence by Lincoln saw Mellish cross for two converted tries late on, but the hosts managed to hold on to secure a narrow victory.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
Lincoln’s Director of Senior Rugby Ross Tarnowski said: “We played all the rugby but ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes. It was great to get the win even if it was by a point.
“We are using these games as development opportunities to widen the squad and give us more depth moving into next season. We will take a rest next week and get ready for the finals.”
Tarnowski added that the club would like to wish Mellish player Jack Whelbourne a speedy recovery after he suffered a broken and dislocated ankle during the match.
Captain Lewis Wilson said: “It was really positive to win at home with special mentions to Owen Mitchinson, George Pomfret and Ben Sykes, as well as Henry McCartney who made a good impact off the bench.”
Photo Credit: Mike Lincoln
