MELLISH 1ST XV 29
LINCOLN 1ST XV 31
COUNTIES 1 MIDLANDS EAST (NORTH)

Grant Cowe crossed for a hat-trick of tries as Lincoln’s 1st XV scored 31 point against Mellish for the second time this season in a 31-29 win away in Nottinghamshire.

In-form young star Finn Daniels continued his transition into senior rugby with another try-scoring performance, while Second Row Josh Corcoran also got his name on the scoresheet.

Lincoln’s remaining points came via the boot of Isaac Logue, who successfully slotted over three conversions, as Matt Mcclurg’s men secured their third win in a row in all competitions.

When the two sides met at Longdales Park back in November, Lincoln won 31-26 and they put in another good performance to complete the league double over their opponents.

Lincoln started strongly with scrum-half Leon Hobson-Sheriff setting up two tries for Cowe with Gregan balls on the try line.

Cowe, who was playing at prop, completed his hat-trick after catching a crossfield kick from Logue and crashing through a Mellish winger to power over for a try.

Despite Lincoln’s first-half dominance, Mellish managed to score two tries in the first half to cut the visitors’ lead to 24-12 going in at the break.

Lincoln’s only try in the second half came from a ruck in the middle of the park, flooded blind side. A few passes saw the ball worked out to Corcoran, who beat two defenders to run in for a try in the corner. Logue expertly added the conversion with a difficult kick.

Mellish tried to fightback and scored three tries, but Lincoln showed great determination to hold on for the victory.

POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Josh Pearson, who deputised as captain, said: “I thought it was very much a game of two halves.

“First half we played our systems well, had some good decision making playing in the right areas.

“Second half we went off the boil and tried to play too much rugby in the wrong areas, which cost us, leading to Mellish tries.

“Altogether I thought it was a strong performance and I am happy the team managed to grind out the win and we move onto this week.”

Hat-trick hero Grant Cowe said: “We played well, but we should have held out better in the second half. We know where we’ve got to improve as a squad.”

Lincoln’s Backs Coach Conor Milnes said: “We are happy to come away with five points from what is a very tough away ground.

“We got into our rhythm early on, moving the ball with good tempo and variety in attack, giving ourselves opportunities to get points on the board, which we did.

“Credit to Mellish for fighting back in the second half and giving us a real test.

“Another tough test coming up against Southwell at Lodge Lane on Saturday as we look to carry on this winning momentum.”