EAST LEAKE 1ST XV 34
LINCOLN IMPS XV 24
COUNTIES 4 MIDLANDS EAST (NORTH EAST)

BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: JEN DAVEY

Toby Barrett grabbed a brace of tries as Lincoln’s Imps XV pushed unbeaten league leaders East Leake all the way in a battling 34-24 defeat on the road.

Captain John Raynor and Sam Cave also scored tries for Lincoln and Jack Miles successfully slotted over two conversions.

Lincoln went into the match having won their last two league games and travelled to Nottinghamshire in high spirits. They knew it would be a very tough encounter though as East Leake had won all 10 of their league games so far this season.


East Leake opened the scoring with a converted try after just nine minutes of the match, but Lincoln responded quickly and levelled matters soon after.

Miles sent a kick into the corner and an East Leake player managed to keep it in play, but Barrett chased it and finished well in the corner. Miles added the extras.

Lincoln moved in front midway through the first half when Barrett intercepted the ball and ran 30 metres for a great try.

The visitors thought they had extended their lead when Pete Usher looked to have grounded the ball, but he was adjudged to have been held up.

Lincoln were not to be denied for long though as they moved further in front with a real captain's try after 28 minutes - the ball was worked through the backs to Raynor, who went on a strong run through the defence to score.

The visitors then lost two players to the sin bin in quick succession - Chris Smith for a high tackle and Matt Parkinson for playing the ball on the floor.

East Leake made the most of having two extra men on the pitch to score a late unconverted try to cut Lincoln’s lead to 17-12 going in at the break.


East Leake were reduced to 14 players after receiving a yellow card within seven minutes of the restart.

Then just four minutes later Lincoln played through the forwards and Cave took the ball and forced his way over for a try, which Miles converted.

East Leake responded with two converted tries to level the score at 24-24 with just 14 minutes remaining.

The visitors deserved to come out of the match with more to show for their valiant effort, but East Leake scored two unconverted tries in the final six minutes to snatch the victory.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln Imps XV coach Dave Rose-Allen said: “It was a great effort, but ultimately a game that we gave away with poor discipline.

“We controlled the game and were the better team over 70 minutes.

“The team is still learning and we are improving as we go. Pushing undefeated top of the league shows that we’re not far away from our target and can compete at the top end of the league.”

Lincoln Imps XV captain John Raynor said: “I am proud of the lads’ effort on Saturday. The energy, team work and quality, were all there. We showed what we are capable of.

“I’m gutted we lost it in the last 10 minutes, but we know why and it’s something we can work on.”