League leaders Lincoln Imps XV continued their unbeaten start to the season, and made it three from three, with a 32-3 win in difficult weather conditions in Horncastle.

Captain John Raynor, David Beveridge, Brandon Hogan, Sam Cave, Michael Ward and Jack Miles all scored tries for Lincoln, with the latter also slotting over one conversion.

Horncastle’s points came via a Morgan Williams penalty and they fought valiantly for the full 80 minutes and never let their heads drop.

There wasn’t much between the sides in the opening 20 minutes until Horncastle lost a player to the sin bin after a team warning.

Lincoln soon capitalised on having an extra man after Hogan passed to Luke Brodrick from a scrum, who in turn set up Ward. Ward held the pass to the perfect time to commit the last defender before releasing Raynor on the overlap to score.

Lincoln then lost Hogan to a team yellow shortly after, but that didn’t stop the visitors from extending their lead with a vital try just before half-time.

Super sub Beveridge had only just come on when he drove off a strong forward surge to spin over for a try near the posts to give Lincoln a 10-0 lead going in at the break.

Lincoln moved further in front within seven minutes of the restart after great team build up moved them into the opposition 22. The forwards kept the ball in tight for six phases before a pick and go near the line from Hogan saw him go over for a try.

Shortly after the hour mark, Lincoln were in again after a scrum pushing forward into the 22. Brodrick picked up the ball and hit Miles on a hard line, who carried three players over the line with him as he scored a try.

Lincoln scored their fifth try of the game six minutes later after pushing Horncastle back off their own ball and over the line from a scrum, leaving Cave to dot down to score.

Horncastle got their first points on the board when Williams slotted over a penalty nine minutes from time.

In the closing stages of the match both sides were reduced to 14 players after an off the ball incident.

Lincoln finished the game strongly with a late converted try. After a strong carry in the middle of the park by Max Adams, Raynor, acting as nine, saw an overlap and passed back to the blind to Cave. Cave drew in the defence before passing to Ward, who put on the gas and stepped back inside, beating three Horncastle players on his way to scoring a try under the posts.

 Miles slotted over the conversion to complete the scoring and a great victory for Lincoln.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln Imps XV captain John Raynor said: “I am proud of the boys.

"The conditions were poor. With driving rain and strong winds it was not easy to play our usual rugby, but we stuck together and the boys fronted up and battled for every inch and got the result.

“Like every week, we have things we need to work on that we need to get on top of in training, but we are growing each week.

“I would also like to thank the supporters who braved the weather to come and cheer us on. Up the Imps!”

Horncastle captain Mike Hoyes said: “It was a very hard-fought game in horrible conditions. Castle never gave up and had several opportunities, but unfortunately couldn’t execute.

“Positive performance from the green and gold and all in all a good game of rugby.”