STAMFORD COLTS 17
LINCOLN COLTS 21

Finn McKenna crossed for a hat-trick of tries as Lincoln Colts ended their season with a great 21-17 comeback win at Stamford.

Lincoln opened the scoring after 15 minutes after a well-worked move from a scrum, and slick passing by the backs, put McKenna through a hole in the defence and he ran in for a try. James Tomlinson successfully slotted over the conversion.

Stamford hit back to level the score 10 minutes later when they ran through a gap in the defence to score a try.

Lincoln’s defence initially kept Stamford out after a good pick and go move around the corner. However, they couldn’t stop the strong carry that eventually led to hosts scoring their second try of the match as Lincoln trailed 12-7 at half-time.

Lincoln fell further behind when Stamford were playing from a penalty advantage for offside. Although the visitors initially did well to keep them out, Stamford managed to get their winger outside Lincoln’s Second Row to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Stamford were then awarded a penalty for a high tackle, but their kick missed touch and was well caught and gathered by Joe Meldrum on the right wing. Lincoln then moved the ball all the way down the line and attacked the holes in the Stamford defence.

After a great carry by Isaac Londregan, the ball was moved out to McKenna who outpaced the Stamford backs to run in for a try under the posts. Tomlinson successfully drop kicked his conversion attempt.

With just two minutes remaining, Lincoln scored the match-winning try from a well-worked lineout move. Jamie Usher took the ball at the tail of the lineout before a good carry from Londregan set up McKenna, who ran in for a try to complete his hat-trick. 


Tomlinson slotted over the conversion and Lincoln held on to secure a fantastic victory.

POST MATCH COMMENT

After the match Lincoln’s Director of Age Grade Rugby Chris Briggs said: “The game was the first real Colts game that the Under-16s had played, so bringing in those Under-16s before the season ended to play up for the Colts was well worth it.

“Their energy and bravery to step into a full Colts game was evident to see.

“We need to look at our understanding of the offside laws, but the movement of the ball when we had it, and our dominance of the tackle and breakdown areas, was great to see and how we really challenged Stamford to have to play.

“When we had the ball we looked like we were going to score every time.

“I am super proud of the Under-16s moving up and the Under-18s in their last Colts game. For Jamie Usher and George Elias it was their last game for Lincoln Colts before they enter senior rugby.

“Ben Linton at captain is moving from Under-17s to 18s next season so he’s staying with us and his captaincy at the weekend was amazing and his communication with the referee and the rest of the boys was fabulous.

“As a group, they did really well and I’m really pleased to come to the NLD champions and take a win. That’s something that will stay with those boys for a long time and I’m super proud of them."