Lincoln opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a good move through the hands which started in their own 22. After turning over a couple of rucks, Harvey kicked the ball through and Ward collected it before a pick and go put Strand over the line for a try near the posts. Ward added the extras.

Gainsborough dropping the ball on halfway led to Lincoln’s next try and Ryan Harmer booted the ball forwarded before Ward kicked it and dived on it to score a try, which he also converted.

Another dropped ball on halfway was kicked through by Ward before he dribbled it on further to go over for a try under the posts. He then missed what seemed like an easy conversion in front of the posts, but that didn’t stop Lincoln from taking a commanding 19-0 lead in at the break.

Lincoln increased their lead in the second half after pushing Gainsborough backwards in a scrum on their own 22. Strand got the ball before offloading it to Mensah in the centres, who ran through a hole in the defence to score a try under the posts. Flanker Stringer was an unlikely candidate for the conversion, but he made no mistake as he slotted over the extra two points.

After a long well-disciplined set of defensive play by Lincoln, Gainsborough found a hole and exploited it to score their first try of the match.

Lincoln were soon back on the attack with some good phase play before Harvey ran through a gap to score an unconverted try.

The hosts were then reduced to 14 men after Rob Lister was sent to the sin bin for tackling without the ball.

 Gainsborough took advantage of having an extra man and put pressure on Lincoln’s defence. As they pushed Lincoln backwards, Strand picked up the ball from the bottom of the scrum and received a yellow card, while Gainsborough were awarded a penalty try, which was the last score of the match.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

After the match Lincoln’s 3rd XV Team Manager Tom Wilson said: “It was a fantastic start to the new season for the 3s.

“The lads played some excellent rugby when we had the ball, and our defensive effort was impressive throughout.

 “A really positive performance and a great way to start the season.

“There’s plenty to be excited about, and we’re looking forward to the season ahead and testing ourselves against some great teams.”

Lincoln’s new 3rd XV captain Daz Rorie said: “It was a good team performance overall. The first half could’ve been a bit better, but this was the first game of the season so we expected a bit of rustiness.

 “Gainsborough always make it hard and they never give up the fight.

“Overall, I am very pleased and everybody put a shift in.”