STAMFORD 2ND XV 7
LINCOLN IMPS XV 27
NLD MERIT TABLE EAST 1
BY TONY CLAYTON AND JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: TONY CLAYTON
Lincoln Imps XV continued their unbeaten start to the league season after coming from behind to win 27-7 away against Stamford at Hambleton Road.
The visitors recieved an early scare when a well-worked try from Chuck Hall, and Nick McDowall's conversion, gave Stamford a deserved lead after 12 minutes.
Stamford remained strong but could not get out of their own half and, after a period of sustained pressure, they then conceded a penalty in the middle of the ptich on their 22 metre line.
Quick-thinking Jack Randwell took a quick tap penalty and burst through to go over for a try, but the conversion was missed in the strong wind.
Lincoln were soon back on the attack again and Stamford appeared to be starting to lose some discipline after receiving a yellow card for a high tackle.
Stamford then gave away two penalties in quick succession shortly before half-time, which gave Lincoln a solid lineout platform just five metres out.
An intelligent training ground move then resulted in Harry Atkinson looping to collect the ball at the front of the line, before crashing over for a try to give Lincoln a narrow 10-7 lead going in at the break.
The second half started as the first had finished with Stamford giving away significant territory following two penalties. Lincoln won the lineout to set up a strong driving maul from 20 metres, which Lucian Morosan touched down to extend Lincoln's lead to 15-7.
The next 10 minutes of the match was a well contested period of play, which was abruptly ended when Liam Horsley turned over the ball at a ruck. This then led to a quick-fire Lincoln backs move through the hands, which set up Rory Standish to go over for his sixth try of the season.
As Stamford began to tire in the closing stages, Lincoln's Dominic Thomas turned over the ball on the halfway line after some dogged defensive work. The ball was then moved swiftly through the hands to reach Brandon Hogan on the wing.
Hogan still had plenty to do, but strongly brushed off two Stamford defenders to score a try in the dying seconds of the match. Jack Miles successfully slotted over the conversion.
Stamford had started the game strongly, playing with high intensity and plenty of controlled agression, displaying excellent interconnected play. However, a lack of discipline towards the end of the first half ultimately allowed Lincoln to take a firm grip of the game, with high quality execution at key moments.
After the game Stamford's Director of Rugby Matt Albinson said: "We had a strong first half but were worn down by a well-drilled and solid Lincoln performance.
"It was great to see such a large travelling (Lincoln) squad which is a huge benefit to orugby as the game continues to rebuild."
Lincoln Imps XV coach Adam 'Trig' Kelleher said: "This is the first time we have been really tested so robustly. We had to work hard against a clever and strong Stamford outfit who played hard and with great desire."
