SCUNTHORPE WOMEN 29
LINCOLN LADIES 27
LINCOLNSHIRE CUP
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: MIKE LINCOLN, PARKES FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY, AND BILL & MARIA RHOADES
Cassie Milestone’s 24-point haul proved decisive as Scunthorpe Women progressed through to the next round of the Lincolnshire Cup with a narrow 29-27 win, but Lincoln Ladies showed great character throughout, including from their three debutants.
Jenna Bierton grabbed a hat-trick of tries for Lincoln and Abigail Lee scored one.
Lincoln’s remaining points came via the boot of Emily Nelson who kicked two conversions and a penalty, while Lucy Ellis was named as her side’s player of the match by head coach Dale Smith.
Milestone crossed for four tries and kicked two conversions for Scunthorpe and was named as the home side’s back of the match.
Ewa Jasek also scored a try for Scunthorpe and Annie Shearsmith was named as the North Lincolnshire club’s back of the match.
Scunthorpe opened the scoring after the ball got stuck in a Lincoln scrum and the home side were able to gather the ball. Scrum-half Jorja Lyons picked it up before offloading to Milestone who ran in for her first try of the match, which she also converted.
The hosts increased their leads when Milestone ripped the ball and ran straight through, beating three players before diving over for an unconverted try in the right-hand corner.
Lincoln reduced the deficit after continuous pressure, and multiple penalties, inside Scunthorpe’s 22. A backs move involving Abigail Lee, Lincoln’s players’ player of the match and debutant Molly Regester, and Jenna Bierton ended with the centre crashing through three players to score an unconverted try.
Nelson slotted over a penalty from around 20 metres out to cut the gap in the score to 12-8 going in at the break.
Lincoln took the lead for the first time in the match after being awarded three successive penalties in the opposition 22, including one for an alleged high tackle. They worked the ball through the balls before Lee confused the defence with a dummy and ran through to score an unconverted try.
The attacking from both sides continued with two tries in as many minutes.
Scunthorpe won a scrum on Lincoln’s 10 metre line and, after a good set piece move, full-back Jasek ran straight down the left-hand side and went over for an unconverted try.
Back game Lincoln, who replied with a good deep long kick. After winning the lineout, and winning a penalty for Scunthorpe not rolling away, a move through the backs saw Lee, Regester and Bierton exchange passes to set up the centre’s second try of the match. Nelson successfully slotted over the conversion.
Lincoln opened up a 10-point gap after a couple of phases and multiple pick and goes set up Jade Morgan. Her quick ball to Lee, saw Lincoln’s usual match captain pass to Regester, who offloaded for Bierton to crash over for a try to complete her hat-trick, and Nelson added the extras.
Scunthorpe battled hard to get back into the game with Milestone once again instrumental. The fly-half evaded three tackles before touching the ball down just to the right of the posts for an unconverted try.
Lincoln were reduced to 14 players when Rose Buchanan was shown a yellow card for an alleged high tackle in her side’s own 22.
Scunthorpe made the most of having an extra player to score a try and snatch a late victory.
A poor pass out of the back of the ruck by Lincoln was fumbled before being picked up by Scunthorpe’s front row. After more pressure Milestone ran around the left-hand side and dived over to score her fourth try of the match to level the score.
Milestone successfully slotted over her second conversion of the afternoon to secure a victory for Scunthorpe by the narrowest of margins.
Although Lincoln narrowly lost the match, it gave them a great opportunity for development.
Bierton and Ellis co-captained the side to gain valuable leadership experience, while Jemima Wilcox, Liv Briggs and Regester all made their Lincoln debuts, and Deanna Clarke made her first start for the club.
Aside from the great result, there were also lots of positives for Scunthorpe, including having seven players who had come through the club’s girls’ junior pathway.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Lincoln Ladies Head Coach Dale Smith said: “Everyone showed great courage against a physical Scunthorpe team.
“Everyone stepped up to the mark and didn’t take one step back. The new players didn’t look out of place and stepped into the team.
“Congratulations to Scunthorpe and I wish them all the best in the next stages.”
Lincoln’s co-captain Lucy Ellis said: “Scunthorpe are a well-established side who tested us right up until the final-whistle.
“However, every single person who pulled on a Lincoln shirt on Sunday should be proud of their efforts.
“We had a number of debuts and a number of players who played their strongest games to date, which shows how much our team is growing and improving week on week.
“It was an honour to lead the team out onto the pitch as co-captain and I am proud of every single one of our players. It puts us in a strong position heading into the final part of the season.”
Scunthorpe Women captain Becky Clark said: “I’m immensely proud of each and everyone of the players that put on a Scunthorpe shirt today - a great mixture of youth and experience.
“We worked hard together and got the result we deserved.”
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