Skegness 1st XV 31-21 Sleaford 2nd XV

     Skegness entertained Sleaford at the weekend and it turned out to be a great game. Sleaford scored first and that was only after five minutes. Defensive errors from the blue and whites gifted Sleaford a simple try.
Sleaford then scored again from another error in defence and the game was shaping up to be a thumping defeat. 14-0 down after ten minutes of rugby Skegness needed to act quickly.
Skegness then seemed to wake up and start to play good open running rugby. The backs began to work their moves and Smith made a break on the outside. His offload to wood developed the move and Haigh eventually scored the try by reached over after a tap tackle. This made the score 14-5.
The father and son duo of Ian and Stephen Johnson played extremely well. Ian was part of the front row trio and Stephen packed down at number eight.
Taylor’s aggressive rucking gave the Sleaford forwards numerous bruises as well as one or two of his own team mates.
Another error saw the Sleaford centre pounce upon another mis-placed pass. They scored another converted try to extend their lead to 21-5. Captain Hill called for composure and increased intensity.
Unfortunately Brookes hyper extended his elbow and he was forced from the field. With fourteen men on the pitch Skegness were preparing to bring on a substitute. The referee played on and Fitzpatrick took the game to Seaford.
His galloping run and numerous handoffs helped him to run from his own twenty-two to the oppositions. Good quick hands and straight running from Stevenson produced an overlap, which Wood exploited, and Skegness had scored another try. Halliday converted to make the score 21-12 at the half.
The half time talk was detailed and accurate from the captain. Skegness needed to cut out mistakes and take the game to Sleaford. The pack was shuffled around to accommodate the new hooker Cummings and the second half began.
The new look team had an immediate impact. Haigh’s strong running took him deep into the Sleaford defence. He was hit by two players but managed to offload the ball to Divilly who scored the try. Halliday converted to make the score 21-19.
Hotchen playing at full back had a good second half by ensuring that the Sleaford kicking game was halted. The Skegness defence was also excellent and Sleaford could not score.
A line out gave Skegness the next score as Cummings spiralled a good throw to Fitzpatrick at the back of the line. He then popped the ball back inside to Divilly running hard. His line cut into the Sleaford defence and he scored in the corner. This score gave Skegness the lead 24-21.
With both wingers Wood and Kime getting involved in the game the Skegness back line created attacking opportunities at will. Halliday’s passing and the centres strong running gave their forwards a good target.
The final score came on the final whistle. Horner’s spinning run, committed defenders. His loose pass was picked up by the supporting scrum half. With the help of Cummings, Hill and Horner, Divilly was driven over the line to complete his hat trick.
Halliday converted with the last kick of the game and Skegness has completed a valiant fight back to win 31-21. Next week Skegness travel away to North Hykeham in the league and this will prove to be a bruising encounter.

Skegness 1st XV
I. Johnson, Brookes (Horner), Stevenson, Taylor, Hill, Cummings, Fitzpatrick, S. Johnson,
Divilly, Halliday, Wood, Haigh, Smith, Kime, Hotchen