Skegness 1st XV 15-21 Lincoln 2nd XV

     Skegness’ first game of the New Year entertained Lincoln at Wainfleet playing fields. All the players were keen to run off some of that Christmas pudding. The blue and whites were comprehensively beaten 60-0 in a match before Christmas at Lincoln. This game was still fresh in the players’ memories as they attempted to show the green and reds that they can play rugby.
The first try went to the home team who worked their way up the pitch with good handling and support play. The winger Woods attempted grounding for a try was held up. The referee gave Skegness a five metre scrum. An infringement from the Lincoln back row with their binding gave Skegness a penalty. A quick tap from Divilly found Bignell running hard and jinking his way through the defence to reach over and open the scoring. This was a  good start for the dynamic duo. Halliday converted and Skegness took a 7-0 lead.
Kime and Hill both tackled and attacked with purpose as the worked together to clean up any kicked balls. Skegness valiantly defended their line and held Lincoln briefly.
A defensive lapse, however, allowed Lincoln to score a converted try. Skegness also conceded two kickable penalties which Lincoln scored from and the home side found themselves trailing 7-13 at half time.
Wood gave way to Smith and the second half started the same as the first. Skegness played well in the open and a stole number of balls in the line outs. Spiers and Johnson’s jumping was excellent. Any ball they won was secured by Stevenson and Cumming who never lost possession. The pack battled with a determined Lincoln defence. An infringement by a Lincoln Substitute gave Halliday the chance to kick three points and narrow the deficit. He kicked the ball cleanly and moved the score to 10-13.
Another defensive error gave the opposition backs too much time to manoeuvre. They created an overlap and quick handing saw the green winger score an unconverted try. Smith also had the chance to run unopposed to the line but could not take the pass in the swirling wind.
With the score 10-18, captain Machin, playing at hooker, urged the team to pick up their game and run at the Lincoln players. Further excellent open running rugby gave Skegness the territorial advantage. A dropped ball however, was hacked on by the green and reds. A couple of rucks later and with ten minute of the game left Cummings was shown the yellow card by the referee. The resultant penalty was scored by Lincoln to make the score 10-21.
Somehow, the Skegness team conjured up the energy to play with a man down. A subtle end over end kick by Divilly placed his opposition scrum half under pressure. Nightingales challenge made the number nine fumble the ball. Divilly dived onto the lose ball to score a try. Halliday could not convert which made the score 15-21
A Lincoln scrum on the Skegness twenty two gave little chance of the blues winning the game. Skegness somehow won possession from the next ruck and released their backs. Halliday, Pollock, Nightingale and Smith all touched the ball as they ran down field. Strong mauling from Taylor and Horner secured possession and the blues attacked again. The ball was chipped on by the number ten but it bounced away from the blue and whites. The ball was grounded over the line by Lincoln and the final whistle blew.
It was almost a dramatic victory by the seasiders but they could hold their heads high.

Skegness 1st XV
Stevenson, Machin, Horner, Taylor, Spiers, Cummings, Bignell, Johnson,
Divilly, Halliday, Kime, Pollock, Nightingale, Wood (Smith), A. Hill.