LINCOLN LADIES 61
MELLISH LADIES 12
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
Four tries from Jade Morgan saw Lincoln Ladies maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a 61-12 home win against Mellish.
Jenna Bierton and Harriet Fluck each crossed for hat-tricks and Lynne Brooker-Brown added three conversions on what was a fine afternoon for Lincoln.
Lincoln opened the scoring when Bierton broke through a couple of tackles and raced clear for a try despite the best attempts of the opposition full-back to stop her.
The hosts soon increased their lead when Fluck weaved her way in and out of the defence from the halfway to score a great try.
After good pressure by the Mellish forwards, Lincoln conceded three penalties in quick succession for not rolling away. It wasn’t long before the visitors were then awarded a penalty try to reduce the deficit to just three points.
Quick passing by Bierton and Fluck set up Morgan to run in for her first try of the match before Lincoln added another score soon after.
A good passing move involving Midge Newsome and Abi Lee set up Bierton to run in for her second try of the match.
After a quick 1-2 from Morgan, Fluck went over for her second try of the match as Lincoln increased their lead further.
A pick and go by the forwards led to an unconverted try for Mellish, as Lincoln took a 25-12 lead going in at the break.
Lincoln continued to pose a huge threat in attack and they soon moved further in front when Morgan ran in for a try from the halfway line.
Bierton received an offload from Newsome on halfway before running in for a try to complete her hat-trick. Lynne Brooker-Brown successfully slotted over the conversion.
Bierton then turned provider as her quick pass out wide set up Morgan to run for a try and become the second Lincoln player of the afternoon to complete her hat-trick. Brooker-Brown once again added the extras.
After catching a penalty kick by Mellish, Fluck took the long route as she outpaced the defence to go over for her third try of the match.
Morgan, who was named as Lincoln’s back of the match, chased her own box kick from the halfway before scoring her fourth try, which Brooker-Brown converted.
There was still time for Lincoln to score their 11th try of the match after an excellent interception and run by Bierton.
POST MATCH COMMENT
After the match Lincoln Ladies head coach Brian Kelly said: “A lot of girls were playing out of position due to absences, but it didn’t stop the way we played.
“Despite some strange decisions the girls kept their discipline really well after the initial penalty try.
“They only really had a lapse in concentration twice, and it is credit to Mellish that they took both of those opportunities.
“The rest of the time the defence was really strong and always pushing Mellish back, and we carried on where we had left off against Peterborough.”
POST MATCH AWARDS
Forward of the game – Lucy Ellis
Back of the match – Jade Morgan
Coach’s player – Casey Thompson
Beaver Award - Harriet Fluck
