Ollie Jones crossed for a hat-trick of tries as Lincoln Imps XV made it back-to-back league victories with a 36-14 home win over Lincolnshire rivals Horncastle.

Mitch Ashworth grabbed a try on his return to the team and Daz Rorie and Toby Barrett each scored one.

Lincoln’s remaining points came via the boots of debutant Ollie Jorden and captain John Raynor who successfully slotted over two and one conversions respectively, It was a great game for Jorden, who has come up through the club’s youth system, and played a solid 60 minutes at fly-half and inside centre.

The hosts opened the scoring after just seven minutes when a lineout and drive set up a move through the hands. Ashworth offloaded to Raynor, whose powerful run was stopped just short of the try line before Jones picked it up to surge through and score. Raynor added the extras.

Lincoln increased their lead after 26 minutes when a quick tap and go from a penalty saw Ashworth evade numerous defenders to go over for a try, which Jorden converted.

Lincoln lost Craig Finter to the sin bin in the closing stages of the first half and Horncastle soon took advantage of having an extra man.

After a couple of phases five metres out, the visitors found a gap to go through the defence for a try between the posts to reduce Lincoln’s lead to 14-7 going in at the break.

Lincoln extended their lead within seven minutes of the restart after a great pass by Ashworth set up Rorie to power over for an unconverted try.

Horncastle reduced the deficit to just five points after a scrum set up a move through the hands and one of their players powered through a few tackles to score a try.

Lincoln hit back shortly before the hour mark when Jones threw in a lineout before getting the ball back from Finter to run in for a try in the corner, which Jorden converted.

Jones continued to be a big threat to the Horncastle defence and he completed a deserved hat-trick after 67 minutes. After a lineout five metres out, Lincoln drove towards the posts and Jones picked up the ball from the base of a ruck to power over for a try.

A scrum in the centre of the park led to a great backs move that put Barrett over for a try in the corner in the final minutes to complete a fine victory for Lincoln.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln Imps XV coach Dave-Rose Allen said: “We made hard work of the first half and came in at half-time 14-7 up.

“In the second half we really stepped up and started to show what we can do.

“Great performances from hat-trick scorer Ollie Jones and a very welcome return to Mitch Ashworth made a difference, and the inclusion of a precious Colt Ollie Jorden who controlled the game and played really well.

“We look forward to East Leake away in two weeks (on February 28)."

His fellow Lincoln coach Shaun Dunn said: “After a good start we then sat back on our heels and let Horncastle back into the game. Then, after a few words at half-time, we turned it around and played how we should. I am proud of our second half performance.”

Lincoln Imps XV captain John Raynor added: “In the first half we were not playing to our standards and were lazy.

“We came in at half-time and talked about what we needed to do. In the second half we stepped up and turned it on until the 80th minute.

“I am proud of the lads and we are still growing as a team. I am looking forward to going to East Leake and giving them their first defeat.”