LINCOLN COLTS 47

SPALDING COLTS 0
NLD COLTS POOL GROUP C
BY JOSEPH VERNEY

PHOTO CREDIT: KIRSTY DUNN & ANDY BARGH

Lincoln Colts scored seven tries in an “incredible performance” which saw them secure an emphatic 47-0 home victory over Spalding at Longdales Park.

Captain Kieron F, Euan L, Fin M, Evan K, vice captain Tom A, Kyran M and Dylan A all scored tries for Lincoln with Isaac T successfully slotting over six conversions.

Lincoln enjoyed a lot of territory with the wind behind them in the opening 15 minutes.

Spalding initially defended really well to keep the hosts out until a breakdown on the right-hand side saw the ball come out to Fin M. Fin M passed the ball to Kieron F in a 2-on-1, and he dummied left before stepping the defender and running in for a try. Isaac T added the extras.

Lincoln increased their lead when Fin M used the wind well with the boot from a penalty to win a lineout, before a ball off the top and a planned move by the backs put Euan L in for a try, which Isaac T converted.

Creativity in the lineout then saw Hugh D take a short ball down to the five-metre line. Lincoln quickly recycled before the ball found its way out to Fin M, who cut through to score a try from just outside the opposition 22.

Isaac T successfully slotted over the conversion to give Lincoln a commanding 21-0 lead going in at the break.

Lincoln extended their lead in the second half when a loose ball ended up with Euan L running on a great line and he cut through the defence to the five-metre line. After recycling the ball, Tom A picked it up through the centre of a ruck to go over for a try under the posts, which Isaac T converted.

After a scrum, Spalding then tried to kick for territory, but Lincoln regathered it. Euan L then grubber kicked it for Evan K to chase and dot the ball down for a try. Isaac T added the extras.

Spalding were unlucky when their penalty kick towards touch was blown back in field by the windy conditions. The ball was gathered by Ethan M who made 40 metres before setting up Kyran, who was playing excellently out of position in the Second Row, and he ran in for a great try from the halfway line.

Isaac T maintained his 100% evening with the boot by slotting over his sixth conversion.

Lincoln completed the scoring after a strong scrum on halfway set up a good move down the blindside. The hosts made good ground and recycled the ball well before Dylan A ran in for a try from 10 metres out, but Isaac missed his first conversion in very windy conditions.

After the match Lincoln Colts Head Coach Chris Briggs said: "Incredible performance by the boys. I am so proud of all of them.

“Horrible conditions and due to availability there were some major selection headaches with some players having to play out of position. None more than Kyran Makinson, moving from centre to the second row, who was awarded Forward of the Match.

“It took us a while to get into our stride and we struggled to convert our territory into points, and credit to Spalding’s defence for making us really have to work for everything.

“As the game progressed the players found another gear and really hit their straps with some excellent rugby. Our set piece is improving with us being dominant in the scrum.

“We have set a new standard of how we can play and I couldn’t be happier for the boys, they deserved the win.”