LINCOLN 3RD XV 21

MARKET RASEN & LOUTH 3RD XV 22
NLD MERIT LEAGUE NORTH EAST
PHOTO CREDIT: BRIAN PENNEY

Lincoln’s 3rd XV suffered heartbreak as they lost 22-21 in the final seconds of their local derby match against Market Rasen, which meant that the bragging rights ended even at two wins apiece between the two sides this season.

Jak Harvey, Max Cartwright and Ollie Jorden all scored tries for Lincoln, with the latter successfully slotting over three conversions. Rasen responded with tries from Ryan Fenty, Ben Lound, Dominic Norbury and Alex Topham, with the latter kicking one conversion.

Lincoln went into the match having won the last two derby clashes - 32-7 and 39-24 - with Rasen having won the first of the season 17-12.

The hosts started strongly and opened the scoring after debutant Harry Taylor, playing at scrum-half, passed to fly-half Jorden, who put Harvey through a gap. Harvey then broke through a tackle to run in for a try, which Jorden converted.

Rasen reduced the deficit when prop Fenty powered over for an unconverted try.

Lincoln responded positively and worked the ball through the back of a scrum. Taylor offloaded the ball to Jorden who ran through a gap to score a try, which he also converted.

Back came Rasen, with Topham running from full-back and weaving his way through the defence to score a try.

Topham also added the conversion as Lincoln took a narrow 14-12 lead in at the break.

The second half was another close affair with Rasen scoring first as Lound powered over for an unconverted try.

With less than 10 minutes, Lincoln were awarded a scrum that turned into a penalty due to backchat from the opposition. After a couple of phases within the Rasen 22, Cartwright ran in for a try under the posts, which Jorden converted to give Lincoln a narrow four-point lead.

Lincoln battled hard to try and see out the match, but Rasen snatched the victory from the jaws of defeat as Number Eight Norbury drove over from a scrum with the final play of the match.

Although the result ended in disappointment for Lincoln, they can be proud of their performances and having scored 104 points, and winning two of the four games against Rasen this season.

Lincoln’s 3rd XV will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they host Gainsborough’s 2nd XV in their final league game of the season on Saturday, April 25.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln’s 3rd XV Team Manager Tom Wilson said: “Heartbreak for the 3s as we narrowly lost 22-21 to Rasen 3s with the final play of the game deciding it.

“It was a strong performance from Lincoln with plenty of positives across the pitch, and the lads can feel unlucky not to come away with the win - especially after getting the better of Rasen in our last two meetings.

“There were lots of great individual and team performances, and it’s been brilliant to see the Colts continuing to grow in confidence and look increasingly at home in senior rugby.

“A special mention to Harry Taylor on his senior debut - an excellent achievement and a performance to be proud of.

“Plenty to build on as we move forward, and we’ll look to turn performances like this into a win in our final game of the season next week.”

Rasen’s 3rd XV Manager Dom Barnes-Browne said: “While it’s third team rugby, the local rivalry is still strong for both teams.

“After a win for Rasen at the start of the season that was followed by two losses to Lincoln. Rasen came wanting to avenge defeat and leave the season as winners making it 2-2.

“It was a great close game to watch which was forward focused by both teams. Both teams with a mix of experience and youth put it all out there on a hard pitch.

“Rasen would like to thank the players that joined us to play the game. With the last play of the game, Rasen four points down, and a scrum in Lincoln’s 22, the lads managed one last push to score (which was never in any doubt), which showed even with some more mature legs on show they put it in for the full 80 minutes.

“2-2 is a fair reflection of our seasons and true third team grassroots rugby. Some old boys, some coming out of retirement, and new young lads making their senior debuts.”