STAMFORD 1ST XV 38
LINCOLN 1ST XV 19
NLD SHIELD SEMI-FINAL
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: DARREN DOLBY
Captain Matt Keeton crossed for a brace of tries as Lincoln’s 1st XV lost 38-19 in the semi-final of the NLD Shield at Stamford.
Prop David Beveridge also scored a try and Louie Cooke successfully kicked two conversions.
Harley Riches and Harrison Shepard crossed for two tries apiece for Stamford, and Toby Anderson and Michael Harris each scored one.
Netherlands Under-18 full-back Steven Fuches added four conversions to help guide Stamford into the NLD Shield Final, where they will play Mellish.
Lincoln went into the match missing several first team regulars and hadn’t played in seven weeks, and ultimately a disjointed first half proved decisive.
Stamford opened the scoring midway through the first half when the ball was kicked from inside Lincoln’s half and the referee gave a 50-22. Stamford then mauled it which led to a try for their hooker - Riches - to the far right-hand side of the posts.
Stamford were soon awarded a penalty 10 metres out and after another successful maul Riches went over for his second try of the match. Fuches added the extras.
Lincoln then lost Beveridge to the sin bin for a knock down on their own 22. From the penalty, Stamford made good yardage and, although Lincoln stopped the maul, the hosts recycled the ball and Shepard went in for a try, which Fuches converted.
From another penalty Stamford kicked the ball down the pitch. After another maul Stamford broke away and Lincoln didn’t react fast enough and prop Michael Harris went over for his first try for the club.
Fuches slotted over the conversion to give Stamford a 26-0 lead going in at the break,
Lincoln improved in the second half and reduced the deficit within five minutes of the restart.
After being awarded a penalty on the halfway line, Lincoln kicked it into the opposition 22, and after the ball was knocked back in pitch Jake Keeton caught it and appeared to score. However, the referee deemed that he had crossed the plain of the line.
Lincoln were not to be denied and they won the lineout and recycled the ball three phases back in towards the posts, before Lucian Morosan set up captain Keeton to score a try, which Cooke converted.
After a kick over the top by Lincoln, Stamford called mark on their 22 and the chase was broken. Stamford then tapped it and went straight down the left-hand side of the pitch, making about 75 yards, before recycling the ball for Shepard to score his second try of the match.
The conversion attempt was charged down by Jake Keeton.
There was then a lengthy stoppage in play due to head injuries to Lincoln winger Cynyr Jones and Stamford’s Number Eight. Lincoln also lost Dexter Ryde to a dislocated finger, causing more reshuffling of their back line.
Stamford then lost a player to the sin bin for repeatedly slowing the ruck down. Lincoln took advantage and some good recycling put Beveridge in for a try far wide out on the left-hand side, which Cooke converted.
Lincoln then enjoyed a further good spell of pressure on Stamford’s 22 before the ball was turned over due to a knock-on. Stamford transitioned quickly into attack and Lincoln didn’t scramble quickly enough to stop them.
The hosts ran 75 metres for a try under the posts which was finished by Anderson and Fuches added the conversion.
Lincoln then lost Jake Keeton to a neck injury before soon being awarded a penalty for a high tackle. Lincoln recycled the ball off a maul before Matt Keeton crashed over from five metres out for the final score of the match.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Lincoln Head Coach Brian Kelly said: “Having no game for seven weeks and missing seven first team players, and giving debuts to two new players to the club and one of the colts, was always going to have an effect on our performance.
“The first half was very disjointed with only the scrum being a real plus point.
“We made too many basic errors and couldn’t convert what few opportunities we had.
“We continued to dominate that in the second half and showed more connection which was reflected in the second half scoreline. Unfortunately the game had already got away from us by then.
“The lads weren’t happy with the performance after such a good league campaign and top four finish.
“We’re now excited to see how far we can push in the league next year.”
Stamford Head Coach Matt Albinson said: “Myself and the club are extremely proud of the boys efforts this year. We started really strongly and then suffered several injury losses in a two week window that rocked the squad a little.
“Add to that some senior player retirements mid-season this squad has had to fight to learn quick and they are starting to realise their potential.
“They took their chances against a fairly strong Lincoln side but will need to be more accurate against Mellish come cup final day.
“We have two weeks now to sharpen our structures, keep the energy levels high and hopefully come away with silverware.”
