Skegness 1st XV 31-7 Horncastle 1st XV

     Skegness travelled to Horncastle at the weekend in another league fixture. Previous week’s results have gone against the blue and whites and Machin’s selection of another new team would have to prove themselves. This team however, included players who have proved themselves in the past and could deliver the goods in the run up to Christmas.
Hill, Brookes and Stevenson lined up in the front row and beat their opposite numbers with ease. The referee had decided to penalise, the awesome power of the front three on numerous occasions for driving up in the scrum. This did not deter the strong men of the team.
A. Hill, Vice captain and Machin, Captain, found themselves in the second row for, I believe, the first time ever. Their leadership was not lost in the depths of the Skegness scrummaging machine.
The back row was a powerful and quick set of players. Cummings, Fitzpatrick and safe sure hands Johnson pressurised, secured and won possession at the breakdown. This gave the backs the platform to attack.
The first try was orchestrated by the back line. An incisive and direct run from full back Pollock received a pop pass from Haigh to score under the posts. Halliday converted to make the score 7-0.
The second try came from a quick tap from the half back. Divilly fed his captain who ran a sublime line and made inroads towards the try line. Halliday mimicked his captain’s line and with a little side step scored and converted his own try.
The final try of the half came from the returning Smith. After a good chip and chase from Wood, Cummings continued the move by cutting back, against the defence at pace. His run was stopped short of the line. Smith was the first man their and with good technique picked up and scored amidst the attention of two horny players.
Skegness started the second half 19-0 up and hoped to add to the tally. Cumming was forced from the pitch with a neck injury. Taylor filled his boots and bolstered the line out to further impose themselves on the Horncastle forwards.
Machin called for more running with ball in hand. Smith obliged as another good handling move from the back gave Smith the time to run at the defence. Horncastle tacklers struggled to get to him and with a telescopic arm reached over the try line to score his second in the corner.
The back continued to work their magic but a mix up in communication meant that the winger could hack on a loose ball. Kyme chased back valiantly and attempted to halt the Speedster. Two more kicks and taps and the Horncastle winger had scored a try to get his team on the score board.
The final score of the game came from the forwards. A direct run at the defence coupled with a hitch kick baffled the Horncastle team and he scored his well deserved try under the posts. Smith this time converted as Halliday had injured his kicking ankle. Skegness had successfully battled a young and improving Horncastle team 31-7.
Next week, 23rd December, the first team face an invitational fifteen of the presidents. This annual game is always a good one which all players and spectators enjoy. Players from Christmas past, present, and even the future, challenge the first fifteen. This is a Sunday game which usually kicks of at approximately 11.30am. All are welcome to watch the game and enjoy the Christmas festivities.

Skegness 1st XV
T.Hill, Brookes, Stevenson, A. Hill, Machin, Cummings (Taylor), Fitzpatrick, Johnson,
Divilly, Halliday, Wood, Haigh, Smith, Kyme, Pollock.