GAINSBOROUGH 2ND XV/NORTH HYKEHAM 2ND XV 43
LINCOLN 3RD XV 12
BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: TONY CLAYTON
Alex Humphries put in a player of the match performance in his first game for Lincoln, but it was a combined Gainsborough and Hykeham side that came out on top thanks to five tries from Dan McKitton.
Gainsborough were first to score after a well-worked try from McKitton, but Lincoln dug in and managed to level matters midway through the half.
Fly-half Humphries found himself in a bit of space, sidestepping and bursting through tackles to score a great individual try, which he also converted to give Lincoln a narrow lead.
The game settled into a rhythm with both sides making good ground in attack. However, it was the Lincoln forwards that set up great field position after a penalty.
The forwards drove at the heart of the Gainsborough defence, drawing in players and creating space outside. Scrum-half Paul Swaby fed the ball to the backs who committed tacklers and expertly moved the ball through the hands to winger Flynn Smith.
Smith, who was playing his first senior game for Lincoln, touched the ball down for a try to round off a great team move and give his side a 12-5 lead going in at the break.
Lincoln tired in the second half and Gainsborough made great use of the extra space, with McKitton adding a further four tries to his tally.
Gainsborough captain Daniel Dawson and Damian Hart also scored tries for the hosts, while Robbie Goodyear and Sean Parker added three and one conversions respectively.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Lincoln 3rd XV Manager Tony Clayton said: “The Lincoln players worked hard, showing great spirit and were unlucky not to get more out of the game.
“A number of new players, including nine colts playing their first senior game for Lincoln, showed there is great potential for next season.”
Gainsborough captain Daniel Dawson said: “Good to combine the two clubs to keep the fixture alive for the good of rugby. Good to see old and new coming together to seal a great win and massive thanks to Lincoln in a game played in great spirit.”
North Hykeham Chairman Tommy Jarvis said: “I’m just happy they got a game on. I really appreciate both clubs flexing to put on a competitive fixture and keep rugby community and competitive rugby going in Lincolnshire.
“The more of this kind of thing we can do the better and as the boys and admin at both clubs know North Hykeham will always be happy to fill in where we possibly can and hope the same goes vice versa.”
