Grant Cowe and Lucian Morosan both scored tries, with Isaac Logue successfully slotting over two penalties and two conversions, as Lincoln took a commanding 20-0 lead in at the break.

However, fitness told in the second half with too many missed tackles, and some decisions not going Lincoln’s way, costing the home side. Lincoln’s only points of the second half came via a try from Pete Usher.

Lincoln went into the game hoping to do the league double over their opponents after winning the reverse fixture 28-12 in December.

The hosts unfortunately lost Zane Redfern to injury after just six minutes, but his replacement, and fellow Colt, Charlie Bargh, put in an excellent performance on his first team debut and was named as Lincoln’s man-of-the-match.

Lincoln opened the scoring when Logue kicked a penalty from in front of the posts.

It wasn’t long before Lincoln were in again after good defensive work to take the Loughborough ball carrier over the goal-line earned them a five-metre scrum. The hosts showed great power from the scrum before Cowe picked up the ball to go over for a try, which Logue converted in windy conditions.

Lincoln increased their lead after a couple of good phases led to Cowe crashing it up and offloading for Morosan to go over for a try from close range. Logue added the extras.

Lincoln moved further in front after a high tackle by Loughborough saw them awarded a penalty just outside the 22.

Logue continued his great kicking by slotting over the penalty to give Lincoln a 20-0 lead going in at the break.

Loughborough reduced the deficit in the second half when good pressure from a turnover saw them score a converted try under the posts.

The visitors were soon in again after a move from the halfway line created an overlap on the outside for them to score a try to the left-hand side of the posts.

Loughborough then broke down the wing and created another two-on-one before their winger stepped inside a player to run in for a try. The visitors kicked the conversion to edge in front by a single point.

A lineout move set up Loughborough’s next try before missed tackles allowed them to run in to score again to open up a 33-20 lead.

Lincoln refused to give up and, after good pressure and a couple of offloads, Usher crashed over for an unconverted try in the corner with the last play of the match.

POST MATCH COMMENT
After the match Lincoln's 1st XV Head Coach Matt Mcclurg said: "It was a tough one to take at home losing 25-33 to Loughborough Uni.

"We were outstanding in the first half - 20-0 up and playing some really good rugby, especially off our set piece where we created real pressure and controlled the game.

"Second half was a different story. Fitness told, we missed too many tackles, and a few decisions didn't go our way which allowed the momentum to swing. Credit to Loughborough, they took their chances well.

"Plenty for us to learn from - we've seen what we're capable of, now it's about sustaining that level for the full 80.

"Standout for Lincoln, making his debut, was Charlie Bargh who took man-of-the-match. He was all over the park and really powerful, so well done to him.

"We now look forward to Spalding away this Saturday in a big league and cup double header - a great opportunity to respond."