NORTH HYKEHAM 2ND XV 43
LINCOLN 3RD XV 7
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: CLOE MORGAN AND TOMMY JARVIS
Lincoln’s 3rd XV and North Hykeham’s second team both played their first match of the season, with support from a University of Lincoln side, and it was played in an excellent spirit.
North Hykeham opened the scoring when Alex Morley ran through the defence and offloaded for fly-half Henry McCarthy to dot down in the corner.
Lincoln moved in front after plenty of phases with the forwards saw Aron Smith pop the ball off the floor set up his brother, and the team’s captain, Chris power over for a try. Kieran Hawkes successfully slotted over the conversion.
McCarthy produced a great dummy before running in for a try under the posts, which Morley converted as the lead changed hands again.
Hykeham’s Number Eight Joel Richards then powered over under the sticks for a try and Morley added the extras to give the hosts a 19-7 lead going in at the break.
Hykeham increased their advantage to 22 points with another two tries, including one in the corner for Karl Ward.
A kick through was then chased by Kieran Wheeler and McCarthy ripped the ball from a Lincoln player before passing to Connor Smith, who went over for a try under the posts. Morley added the extras.
There was still time for one final try for Hykeham which was scored by Rob Booth and Morley again added the extras.
After the match Lincoln captain Chris Smith said: “The lads played well and the defence was solid in sections of the game.
“There were some positive points – a lot of lads returning back to play and a couple of new lads in there. It is good to be putting a third team out and we are looking forward to building on it and putting more third team games together.”
Hykeham chairman Tommy Jarvis said: “I just want to say a thank you to both Lincoln and the University for getting a game on.
“It shows when clubs work together we can get a game on, everyone is happy and a winner as a result.
“We’ll look to support any rugby played in the county and look to do some ‘pitch up and play’ type events where possible to get the lads game time.
“The game was played in really good spirit, played hard, but fairly, and we had a good laugh, just how rugby should be.”
