Lincoln RFC

SLEAFORD 1ST XV 5

LINCOLN 1ST XV 17

BY JOSEPH VERNEY

PHOTO CREDIT: TONY CLAYTON

Rory Standish grabbed a brace of tries as Lincoln Imps XV continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 17-5 victory away against Sleaford’s first team.

Both teams battled hard in difficult conditions but the weather also caused errors from the two teams and made it difficult for either to assert their dominance at the David Williams Pavilion

Lincoln opened the scoring when they were awarded a scrum as Sleaford touched down under their own posts after just five minutes. 

From the scrum, the ball came out to Standish who went over for a try under the posts. Jack Randell successfully slotted over the conversion.

Sleaford responded well and reduced the deficit to just two points after a big scrum saw them drive forward 20 metres. The ball popped out to captain Adam Loveday, who cut back inside and offloaded the ball to Gaz Ambler.

Ambler then danced his way past two Lincoln defenders to go over for a try under the posts, but with Callum Kopp off injured the hooker opted to take the conversion himself and it sailed off target. 

Weather continued to have an impact on the game with the ball slipping through hands and there was also ill-discipline from both sides with penalties being conceded at both ends.

Fortunately for Lincoln, they were able to move back in front with two tries giving them a 17-5 going in at the break.

The first came when the ball bounced up after a scrum and it was picked up by prop Louis Cook, who drove it under the posts for an unconverted try. 

From another strong scrum, the ball bounced up to Standish, who exploited the overlap and powered through a defender to score his second try of the match. 

Half-time saw the introduction of prop Pablo Idarreta, who came off the bench and ensured a special family moment as it meant he was on the pitch at the same time as his brother Jose. 

The second half started with Lincoln on the attack and driving well down the left-hand side of the pitch, but unfortunately the move was ended by a knock-on.

Sleaford were then soon on the attack, but Lincoln managed to clear there lines as the conditions continued to make things difficult for both sides.

Lincoln had another chance after a good move through the hands from an overlap after 65 minutes, but the move broke down as Sleaford secured the turnover. 

The match was cut short with around 15 minutes remaining due to an injury to the referee and there being no replacements available. 

The game was played in a good spirit and both sides are looking forward to a return fixture in 2023. 

POST MATCH COMMENTS 

After the match Lincoln Imps XV captain Sam Cave said: “With aspirations to rejoin the pyramid structure next season we knew this game would be both a challenge and indicator for us.

“Sleaford provided a tough, physical game but we were able to rise to the challenge. 

“The weather wasn’t ideal but our set piece allowed our back line to play their way and it paid dividends - scoring from both structured play and heads up rugby.”

Sleaford Second Row Leon Stobart said: “Lincoln were very well drilled and played well, and exploited the space well, and kept their heads in tricky conditions.

“But for us to play with 14 men for most of the game (due to injuries), and many players out of position, to only concede three and none in the second half when we were down to 13 was exceptional.”