LINCOLN COLTS 21
NEWARK COLTS 39
NATIONAL CUP - ROUND 1
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: WEND BURROWS
Lincoln Colts battled hard in windy conditions and scored three tries in a 39-21 defeat at home against Newark in the first round of the National Cup.
Finn McKenna and Charlie Bargh both scored tries for Lincoln, who were also awarded with a penalty try, while Stan Matthews successfully slotted over two conversions.
Newark opened the scoring after just three minutes after a decent shot on the full-back saw them strip the ball. The visitors then moved the ball quickly left to split the defence and run in for a try under the posts.
Lincoln levelled the score after a good move from a scrum on the halfway line. After quickly shipping the ball to McKenna, he split the defence and ran around the full-back to go over for a try under the posts. Matthews added the extras.
The match was even for most of the first 20 minutes before a messed up clearance led to Newark regaining their lead. The ball was passed back from a scrum, but Lincoln’s kick clear hit one of the uprights and rolled dead. From the ensuing phase play Newark managed to go over for a try.
From a kick through by Newark, Lincoln then managed to secure the ball just in front of their own posts. McKenna did brilliantly to get out as far as the 10 metre line and Lincoln produced some really good phase play.
Unfortunately, the hosts later lost the ball in a ruck. Newark reacted quickly to run in for a try under the posts to increase their lead to 19-7 going in at the break.
Newark added to the score after being awarded a scrum within three minutes of the restart. Lincoln did well to stop the first set of phases before a chip through saw the ball bounce favourably for Newark and led to them scoring a try.
Lincoln reduced the deficit to 10 points after a good bit of phase play inside Newark’s half. A brilliant inside ball set up a break through the middle of the park, and Bargh powered through four tackles to score a try just to the right-hand side of the posts. Matthews added the extras.
Newark moved further in front when Lincoln’s attempt to run the ball out from their own 22 led to the opposition getting the ball and scoring a try.
Lincoln’s defence was too narrow and it wasn’t long before Newark were in again to score an unconverted try.
From the kick-off, Newark spread the ball to the left-hand wing and went really quickly down the edge defence to score a try, but they ran out of time to take the conversion.
Lincoln refused to give up and were rewarded for their efforts with their third try of the afternoon.
After being awarded a penalty, Lincoln kicked it in touch touch about 10 metres out from the try line. After a good line move, a maul was formed and went really well for Lincoln, leading to Newark receiving a yellow card and the hosts being awarded a penalty try.
POST MATCH COMMENT
After the match Lincoln Colts coach Brian Kelly said: “The Colts showed a lot of spirit against a well-drilled and very good Newark team.
“Unfortunately, we gifted them too much possession in dangerous areas and you can’t afford to do that against a quality team.
“We move on to the NLD Cup and look to improve on our performance.”
