LINCOLN IMPS XV 67
SPALDING 2ND XV 0
COUNTIES 4 MIDLANDS EAST (NORTH EAST)
BY JOSEPH VERNEY

PHOTO: CREDIT BRIAN PENNEY

Toby Barrett crossed for five tries as Lincoln Imps XV produced a fantastic team performance to open their league campaign with an emphatic 67-0 win over Spalding.

Sam Cave grabbed a brace of tries and captain John Raynor, David Beveridge, Max Adams and Matt Griffiths each scored one.

Lincoln’s remaining points came via the boot of Jack Miles who successfully slotted over six conversions.

Lincoln opened the scoring after just four minutes when Adam Rodgers threw in a lineout for Adams, who was fantastic in the air all day, to catch. Lucian Morosan then passed to Cave, who cut through the line and fended off the full-back on his way to scoring a try, which Miles converted.

The hosts were in again within five minutes after a well-worked backs move saw Griffiths set up Barrett with a one-on-one. The winger then stepped the defender to run in for a try in the corner.

Lincoln moved further in front with their third try of the match after 24 minutes. A quick move through the hands of Ethan Sheard, Cave, Luke Brodrick and Griffiths, led to the latter chasing his own kick to catch it on a difficult bounce to score.

Lincoln increased their lead before the half hour mark when Freddie Wright tipped the ball onto Adams on a great line, and the youngster outpaced the covering defence to run in for a try. Miles added the extras.

Spalding saw a player sent off for alleged dissent with the original yellow being upgraded to a red as Lincoln took a commanding 24-0 lead in at the break.

Lincoln scored their fifth try of the match within two minutes of the restart after a move from a scrum led to a snap pass out the back from Miles, creating a big gap for Barrett to run through and score.

Just six minutes later, a quick move through the hands set up Barrett for a try in the corner to complete his hat-trick.



It wasn’t long before Barrett was in again. A set play from a lineout saw Miles put the younger winger through a big gap to run in for his fourth try just as the Red Arrows were flying over. Miles added the extras.

Lincoln’s set piece continued to be strong and, after a great lineout steal by Adam Stubbs, Cave tipped the ball to Ben Waters. Waters smashed through before being tackled just short of the line, and Beveridge expertly cleared the ruck to allow Cave to score from a pick and go. Miles once again slotted over the conversion.

Club stalwart Beveridge then rolled back the years as Morosan and Mles combined to set up the prop just inside the opposition half. Beveridge then broke through and sold the Spalding full-back on the fake as he ran in for a fantastic try, which Miles converted.

Lincoln weren’t finished yet and managed a further two tries in the final 10 minutes to complete a fine victory at Longdales Park.


First, the forwards drew in players and Wright made a good offload in the tackle to Cave, whose great pass gave Raynor a three-man overlap. With acres of space, the Lincoln captain ran in for a try, which Miles converted.

A strong scrum, followed by an offload from Raynor, then set up Barrett to run down the winger and cross for his fifth, and Lincoln’s final, try of the match.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln Imps XV Coach Dave Rose-Allen said: “I am really happy with the way we played. The first game of the season is always a challenge and, whilst the win was a good one, it supplied plenty of areas for improvement.

“The current depth of players at the club is raising our standards and that will make for a very exciting season.”

Lincoln captain John Raynor added: “What a great team performance from start to finish. Everyone put in a shift, stayed together, executed our game plan and showed real determination. I couldn’t be prouder of the lads.


“We have a few things to improve on which we will work on in training, but we take the positives. We will keep improving and come back even better.”



Spalding’s 2nd XV captain Ryan Medlock said: “It was a tough game against a well-drilled Lincoln team. The team battled hard all game and didn’t give up until the final whistle.”