SOUTHWELL 3RD XV 15
LINCOLN 3RD XV 19
NLD MERIT LEAGUE NORTH EAST

BY JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: SOUTHWELL RFC

Lincoln’s table-topping 3rd XV made it two league wins from two with a hard-fought 19-15 win at Southwell in wet conditions.

Lincoln spent most of the opening 15 minutes piling on the pressure in the opposition half and they were soon rewarded for their efforts.

After securing a great turnover with Ryan Harmer and captain Josh Holiday going through the ruck, Lincoln produced some good phase play and handling. Some pick and go moves followed to set up an unconverted try for Harmer.

Lincoln continued to pin Southwell in their own 22 and, under pressure, the hosts tried to kick clear. The kick was caught by Tom Southall, who beat one player before offloading to Ollie Gutteridge who crashed over for a try, which Ryan Tinsley converted.

Lincoln extended their lead after a strong scrum inside the opposition 22. Paul Swaby passed to Tinsley, who produced a sublime ball back on the inside to Finley Boswell, who ran a great line to burst through for a try under the posts.

Tinsley once again successfully slotted over the conversion as Lincoln took a commanding 19-0 lead in at the break.

Lincoln struggled to get out of their own half in the second half with Southwell scoring three unconverted tries to reduced the deficit to just four points.

However, Lincoln’s defence held firm to ensure that there was no further change to the score and, more importantly, the victory.

POST MATCH COMMENT

After the match Lincoln’s 3rd XV Team Manager Tom Wilson said: “It was a scrappy game at times, but the lads showed fantastic teamwork and put in a huge defensive effort when it mattered.

“We really made the most of the first half and that ultimately gave us the platform to secure a narrow victory.

“A huge amount of credit to everyone who turned up and put in the effort in less-than-ideal conditions.

“I am really proud of the lads and the way they worked for each other.”