KESWICK WOMEN 88
LINCOLN LADIES 5
WOMEN’S INTERMEDIATE PLATE SEMI-FINAL

Lincoln Ladies endured a long and tough trip to Cumbria, but showed great character and refused to give up in a battling 88-5 defeat at Keswick.

Lincoln are currently top of their league and looking for promotion and this match presented an extra push for potential silverware, but Keswick’s speed, and the visitors missing several players, proved too much on the day.

Keswick started quickly with a try inside the opening six minutes of the first half before adding a further six to take a 45-0 lead in at the break.

Lincoln’s forwards continued to put in a strong performance in the second half and the scoreline doesn’t reflect the big effort put in by the entire team.

Keswick scored four tries in the second half, before Lincoln’s excellent performing forwards slowed the ball and the opposition’s attack down.

The pressure eventually told as Keswick added a further two tries, before Lincoln stretched the Keswick defence and went over their only score of the match.

Captain Emily Hird bounced back left to the blindside to create a two-on-one. She faked a pass to winger Bella Pollard who the opposition defender then ran to, allowing Hird to run in to dive over for a try.

Keswick had the final say with the final try of the match and Lincoln will now switch their focus back to the league as they look to get back to winning ways at home against Doncaster Demons on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln Ladies Head Coach Brian Kelly said: “This match was always going to be a big ask with so many of our backs missing. That said, our girls stuck at the task despite playing against a very good three quarter line.

“Our forwards were really strong and played the better rugby, including winning the scrums against the head.

“But ultimately speed won the game and when Keswick realised we struggled with their kicking it was pretty much game over with the majority of their tries coming from kick and chase.

“Our girls stuck at it and managed to break down the Keswick defence a number of times, with only handling errors stopping them from improving their score.

“The game was about pride and the ladies never gave up at all.”

Lincoln Ladies captain Emily Hird said: “It was a tough game. However, the girls didn’t give up and battled through the full 80.

“Even though we were missing a few vital personnel I am really proud of the girls who stood up and took their places.

“It was amazing that we even got to a national plate semi-final and it was a really good learning experience for us all.

“Now we move back to focusing on the league and the rest of the games in that."