Lincoln Ladies’ new structure clicked into place and paid dividends in a fantastic performance that saw them claim a sixth league win in a row - a 74-5 home victory against Leigh Ladies.

Hannah McCabe crossed for four tries, Rachell Dutton grabbed a hat-trick, and captain Emily Hird and Izzy Rowson both scored a brace. Bella Polard also scored her first try for the club.

Lincoln’s remaining points came via the boot of Emily Nelson who successfully slotted over seven conversions for the league leaders.

The whole team played brilliantly with standout performances including the joint forwards of the match Charlotte Eyre and Nayeli Dacres, back of the match Hannah ‘Midge’ Kelley, and Lucy Ellis who was named as the best Lincoln player by the opposition.

Before kick-off both sides came together and observed a minute’s silence in memory of Southwell Rugby Club player Jacob Hardwick who sadly passed away recently. It was a touching moment that showed the strength and unity of the rugby family.

Although Lincoln dropped the ball from the kick-off, the resulting scrum saw them push Leigh off the ball before a great move through the backs. Dutton then made good yards before offloading to McCabe who ran 65 metres for her first try of the afternoon, which Nelson converted.

From the resulting kick-off, Lincoln secured the ball with Dacres and Sarah Fox-Fiddes strongly driving forward. Quick ruck speed out to the backs set up Dutton, who split two defenders before being held up and offloading for McCabe to score. Nelson added the extras.

From the kick-off Dacres and Fox-Fiddes once again produced good drives forward. The bouncing ball then put the Leigh defence off before Dutton split the defence, went around the winger and handed off the full-back to score a try to the left of the posts, which Nelson converted.

Dacres continued her fantastic performance with another strong drive straight from the kick-off. Lorna Mckinlay then drove forward before the ball came out to Abigail Lee, who stepped into a gap. Lee then ran to the first defender before offloading to Hird, who ran 55 metres to score a try, which Nelson converted.

Despite the one-sided scoreline Leigh enjoyed some decent possession, but Lincoln knocked them back in the tackle each time they tried to make some distance.

Lincoln soon scored again after the ball went wide to Dutton from a scrum and she broke through and carried to the 10 metre line. As she got to the full-back she shipped the ball out to Pollard, who scored her first try for the club.

Lincoln then put pressure on the Leigh scrum and the visitors tried to kick clear, but the ball bounced into the hands of McCabe, who ran right to left, and around most of the Leigh team to go over for a try under the posts to complete her hat-trick. Nelson added the extras.

From the kick-off, Lincoln put together a couple of phases in the middle of the park before Rowson broke through a few tackles and sprinted down the wing. She then outstripped the defender and went over for a try to the right-hand side of the posts, which Nelson converted.

Leigh were proving quite disruptive in rucks and mauls, but Lincoln were just too strong for them.

After a drive by Nelson the ball was worked out to Hird, who stepped in between the defence and ran in for a try to give Lincoln a commanding 52-0 lead going in at the break.

The second half started scrappily and it took Lincoln 15 minutes to score their next try of the match.

Leigh broke downfield and looked like they were going to score, but great defence from Lincoln kept them out. Lincoln then ran the ball off the back of a scrum in their own 22 before it ended up in the hands of Liv Smith. Smith drew in the full-back and passed to Rowson, who ran 45 metres to score a great try.

It wasn’t long before Lincoln were in again as Dutton split the middle of the Leigh team apart to run in for a try from the halfway line to score her second try of the match. Nelson added the extras.

Leigh finally got on the scoresheet when they split down the left-hand side to go over for an unconverted try.

However, when Leigh tried to kick out from a scrum soon after it landed in the middle of the pitch and was collected by Lee, who passed the ball onto Hird. The Lincoln Ladies captain then flicked it onto McCabe, who ran around the outside to score her fourth try of the afternoon.

From the kick-off, Dacres claimed the ball and made a great break of around 35 metres. Lincoln then recycled the ball too quickly and knocked on, but they soon won the ball back when Leigh tried to kick it from a scrum.

The ball ended up in the hands of McCabe, who made a break before being stopped. Lincoln recycled quickly before one quick phase saw the ball go through the backs to Dutton, who ran into space to score a try and complete her hat-trick.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln Ladies Head Coach Brian Kelly said: “We spoke about keeping the ball away from Leigh’s forwards and playing as quickly as we could prior to the game and that’s exactly what the girls did.

“We scored the first three tries inside 12 minutes and after that we never looked back.

“All credit to Leigh for hanging in there and scoring a try in the second half when a lot of teams would have given up.

“Some amazing individual performances, but Sunday was about the team structure. The girls clicked everywhere as a team and the result reflects that.”

Lincoln Ladies captain Emily Hird said: “Another solid win at home and another great performance from the girls.

“We introduced a new structure this week and every single player brought into it. The clearing of the rucks, the speed of ball from the base and handling from the backs created fast paced flowing rugby that the opposition couldn’t cope with.

“Some of the forward carries were unbelievable and the set piece gave a great foundation for the backs to play off.

“A special shout out to Midge for filling it at 9. Her delivery and speed of ball was top tier and allowed the whole game plan to work.”