SHEFFIELD TIGERS WOMEN 25
LINCOLN LADIES 5
WOMEN’S NC 1 NORTH (SOUTH)

Lincoln Ladies took their league title challenge right to the wire and finished as runners-up after a battling 25-5 defeat at champions Sheffield Tigers Women.

Lincoln went into the match at the top of the table with only two points separating them from Sheffield. Both teams had only lost one league game so far this season prior to this match, with Lincoln winning October’s reverse fixture 27-24 at Longdales Park.

Although the result didn’t go Lincoln’s way on this occasion, they should be very proud of how well they have developed as a team, and all they have achieved this season, with 10 wins from 12 league games.

Both teams battled hard and the first score of the match didn’t come until the 13th minute when Sheffield slotted over a penalty.

Lincoln received two team yellows - for Sarah Fox-Fiddes and Shannon Pasotti - for repeated infringements in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Being down to 13 players eventually took its toll as pressure from the Tigers led to an unconverted try.

Lincoln refused to give up and reduced the deficit soon after the kick-off. After Sheffield knocked on, Lincoln recycled the ball several times to the right-hand side of the pitch before it was shipped across to Rachell Dutton. Dutton handed off two players and ran in for a try wide out on the left.

The score remained close until Sheffield added two quick-fire converted tries to swing the game more firmly in their favour as Lincoln trailed 22-5 at the break.

Lincoln were determined to stay in the match and battled hard despite losing three players to injury in the second half.

The only score of the second half came when Sheffield slotted over a penalty, whilst Lincoln showed great determination in the opposition 22 on numerous occasions, but just couldn’t convert those chances into points.

Lincoln will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they face Stamford in the NLD Women’s Cup on Saturday, May 23.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln Ladies Head Coach Brian Kelly said: “At the start of each year’s cycle we ask the girls what they want for the season. It helps us plan.

“To lose only two league games all season, and be so close to promotion reflects how much this group has grown in self belief over the year.

“As coaches we couldn’t be prouder of the performance against an equally strong Sheffield team. Scoring to make it 8-5 with 13 players on the pitch showed just how much fight and determination this squad has.

“Ultimately, that 15 minutes before half time took so much out of the team we struggled to get back in to the game.

The second half was 3-0 which indicates how evenly matched the sides were. Even trailing by 17 points at the start of the second half we got into the Sheffield 22 on multiple occasions and just couldn’t convert. We’ve scored some amazing tries the season but on Sunday the ball just wouldn’t stick for us.

“It’s been wonderful to see this team grow in confidence and belief, and it shows how much they’ve developed that they’re already talking about what they can achieve next season.”


Lincoln Ladies captain Emily Hird said: “While it wasn’t the result we wanted, I can’t fault the grit and determination of the girls.

“What we have achieved this season is still extraordinary and every single one of them should be proud of themselves.

“This last game doesn’t define our season but 2nd in the league, a semi-final of a national plate competition and a final of the NLD cup does.

"It has been a honour to captain them this season. I know we will come back next season even stronger and promotion can be ours.”