Lincoln V Kesteven Match Report

Match Report

Lincoln V Kesteven 30.01.2016

This mid season clash between the 2nd placed team and the 3rd placed team had been built up as a crucial game with both teams supporting promotion ambitions. It was clear to Kesteven that Lincoln were both highly motivated and well organised with a talented squad, Kesteven however have come too far this season to surrender games just because they get a little difficult.

This fixture proved to get a little difficult very quickly! Lincoln had a strong scrum and proved powerful in the loose. However it was off first phase ball that Lincoln opened the scoring with a well-executed backs move putting their dangerous full back into score on the 12th minute.

Kesteven rallied after this rude awakening and started to find their game with strong carries in the open play from the forwards and from centre. After working their way into the 22m Kesteven spurned a couple of penalty opportunities before kicking to the corner to set up a maul. Strong work from the forwards resulted in Purvis spinning his way over the line to bring the scores level. The conversion was missed.

The home team’s defence had been very quick off the line all match but this time the referee spotted that Lincoln were getting a little too over enthusiastic with a late challenge on fly half Parker. The Lincoln forward was given 10 minutes to cool down. On the half hour mark this message didn’t seem to have got through with the intensity of the game boiling over into a small scrap with resulted in Full back Draper and another Lincoln player being yellow carded.

With Lincoln two men down in their pack Kesteven easily turned over a Lincoln scrum and Number 8 Turner broke from the base to dot down under the posts on the 34 minute mark. Wood converted to make the score 5-12 to Kesteven. HT

In the second half Kesteven knew they would have to step up their game as they would now be heading into the wind. Step up their game they did by raising the intensity of their phase play and breakdown work to counter the advantage of the elements. On the 47th minute Turner snatched up the ball, made a break and neatly offloaded to Lines who crashed through the last man to score. This score was to prove Lines’ last action as he got injured in the process of scoring. Wood converted to make the score 5-19.

Lincoln had a very clear weapon all game long with their back three being dangerous throughout. On the 63rd minute Kesteven thought they had a Lincoln attack covered with equal numbers in the defensive line, however a missed tackle out wide was well converted into a score that Lincoln couldn’t convert. 10-19.

Kesteven went back on the offensive taking play back down into the Lincoln 22, Turner having a very strong game found a hole in the home defence and beat the 15 with ease to again score a highly important try under the posts. Wood converted to make the score 10-26.

In the last minute Lincoln were awarded a penalty. Using the wind well they took territory with which, almost identically to the first score, they slung out wide to their danger men. Lincoln scored out wide with the last play of the game to make the score 15-26. Tuner got man of match for his moments of individual skill and power.

Kesteven thanked their opposition for a tough game, but elated with the knowledge that their biggest rival for 2nd place had suffered a severe setback.

Kesteven now focus on Oundle in the next round of the cup. On the 13th Kesteven take on league leaders Loughborough who only sit two points ahead.

Kesteven Team: Odams, Sheardown, Purvis, Pert, Sayle, Webster ©, Lines, Turner, Wood, Parker, Miles, Goodrich, Taylor, Hughes, Draper. Vincent, Armstrong, Dingley.