LINCOLN 1ST XV 31

BELGRAVE 1ST XV 21

COUNTIES 1 MIDLANDS EAST (NORTH)

BY JOSEPH VERNEY

PHOTO CREDIT: BRIAN PENNEY

Unbeaten Lincoln made it three wins out of three to move top of table after a hard-fought 31-21 home victory over Belgrave.

Man-of-the-match Archie Tagg, stand-in captain Jack Randell, Josh White and Grant Cowe all scored tries for Lincoln, while Louie Cooke successfully slotted over four conversions and a penalty.

Lincoln started the match strongly and opened the scoring after just two minutes. After gathering the kick-off, Tagg crashed up and Lincoln recycled the ball well, before he looped round back into the line and powered through the centre of midfield to go over for a try under the posts. Cooke added the extras.

More good recycling by Lincoln soon set up Tagg again to crash up before White excellently broke the line to set up a 2v1 and offload for Randell to run in for a great try, which Cooke converted.

Belgrave enjoyed a good spell a pressure for around 20 minutes and, although great Lincoln defence initially kept them out, an error allowed the Leicestershire side to break the line and score.

The visitors added the conversion as Lincoln’s lead was cut to 14-7 going in at the break.

Lincoln started the second half as they had the first, with continuous pressure inside the Belgrave 22, but on this occasion they were unable to execute.

A spell of Belgrave pressure then led to good scrambling defence, but the visitors eventually found their way over for a converted try to level the score.

Back came Lincoln with continued pressure in the opposition half which was met by a strong Belgrave defence, but a moment of brilliance saw Lincoln regain their lead. White broke through three tackles, and he also sat down their blindside flanker, on his way to running in for a try. Cooke continued his great day with the boot to slot over another conversion.

Lincoln unfortunately switched off for a 10 minute spell in which good structured play from Belgrave saw the visitors break the line to score a converted try to level the score at 21-21.

The Lincoln players and Head Coach Matt Mcclurg had a good chat under the posts and stuck to their game plan to ensure the rest of the match was only going to go one way.

Lincoln recycled the ball well and got onto the front foot before Cowe, who produced an excellent performance throughout, powered through three tackles to power for a try under the posts, which Cooke converted.

Lincoln made sure there was definitely no way back for Belgrave when they were awarded a penalty for the visitors going off their feet at a ruck. Cooke slotted over the three points to secure victory, and top spot, for Lincoln.

Lincoln will return to league action with a home match against Keyworth this Saturday (October 17).

POST MATCH COMMENTS
After the match Lincoln’s 1st XV Head Coach Matt Mcclurg said: “Three from three and that’s the biggest test we’ve had. It was a good, fair, hard game and what you expect in Counties 1.

“It was pleasing to see that some of our executional play and pod lines were good and we are looking forward to Keyworth at home this Saturday.

“There were some good standout performances by man-of-the-match Archie Tagg, Josh White and Jack Randell.”

Lincoln captain Jack Randell added: “I thought the lads were brilliant on Saturday. We’ve started this season with a bang.

“It’s a really good feel this year with a great set of lads and Saturday really showed that. We grinded out a well fought five points.

“I thought Taggy, Grant and Sam Cave were excellent, putting us on the front foot every time they touched the ball.

“Keyworth this week is another opportunity to keep this unbeaten run alive and stay top of the league.”