Lincoln crash Sumner's Wave
At Lincoln: Lincoln University 34 (Logan Bell, Jack Stratton, John McKeefry, Connor Garden-Bachop tries; Sam Gilbert 4 conv, 2 pen) beat Sumner 13 (Tom Crozier 2 tries; Tom Ziolo pen). HT: 6-10. Referee: Blair Barclay.
Sumner were surely sniffing blood when they came to Lincoln. The Rams were again depleted by Crusaders commitments, although Jack Stratton was welcomed back.
Indeed, The Wave led at half-time, with the formidable Dylan Nel looking dangerous. But Lincoln markedly lifted the intensity after the break and came home with a rush in the last quarter.
One Ram who didn’t really need to lift the intensity was Ben Morris because the captain played flat out, especially from the 20min mark. Morris was superb on the carry, at the lineouts, and on defence.
Jack Stratton also showed his class. The halfback sparked Lincoln’s first try when he darted on the open side from the base of a scrum and linked sweetly with second-five Logan Bell. With 15min to go Stratton was the wider player when John Borland fed the ball from a scrum. The simple move wasted the Sumner defence.
Stratton was to the fore again when Sumner lost the ball at a lineout in Lincoln territory. Stratton swooped, toed the ball ahead twice and set the scene for John McKeefry’s try with 10min to go.
As Sumner sought a consolation breakout at the end, Connor Garden-Bachop was gifted an intercept try. Not that he didn’t deserve it. The right wing knows how to beat a man one on one and just needs to be put in space so he can keep adding to his try tally.
The hard-as-nails Borland was like Morris in his commitment. The No.8 was sin-binned in the second half for a no-arms tackle but even when playing to the letter of the law he caused Sumner a deal of pain on the tackle and the carry.
Cullen Grace had a strong game in the No.6 jersey while Nick Lake was always searching for attacking chances. The fullback was stricken with cramp in the dying stages, with a try beckoning. Sam Gilbert missed only one kick at goal.
Sumner’s two tries were scored by hooker Tom Crozier, within a few minutes at the end of the first half. The first was a result of sustained forward effort, the second coming through what appeared to be an innocuous cross-kick.
MVP: Ben Morris 3, Cullen Grace 2, Jack Stratton 1.
The Premier Reserve Wethers had an historical win through the tunnel against a Lyttleton side down on physicality from previous years. The game plan was executed well throughout the match and the side were able to come away with a good win 22-10. The match fitness may have been down as a result of the two weeks enforced break from rugby but the side played sensible rugby and will be eager to build heading into their 3rd and 4th placed match against HSOB on Saturday at Lincoln Uni. The championship round will get underway the following week with the top eight sides splitting into two pools for the three week round.
Lincoln University Colts A sides have been consistently strong over the years and they will be looking to make the semi finals again in 2018. Their most recent win comes from their match against New Brighton on Saturday. They were able to dominate the set pieces and score when it countered to come away with a convincing victory 31- 19. They have two more matches to play in the second round robin against Sydenham on the 7th and this Saturday up against Burnside at Lincoln University.
With the inevitable exodus over the University holidays the Hunters that remained on campus filled spaces in other sides while their match against CBHS 2nd XV was forfeited. The BYE this weekend is timely as players look to head back for matches against HSOB and Suburbs over the next two weeks.
Unfortunately it was a similar situation for the Women's Premier side who were down a few players when they took on the might of Christchurch at Christchurch Park. The side found it difficult to penetrate the strong defence and stem the attacking power from the formidable Red and Black side who prevailed 69-7. This Saturday they will play Canterbury University at UC at 2:45pm in what will be an enthralling match if the round one match is anything to go by. In it Lincoln claimed their first ever victory against their Ilam road counterparts 35-24.
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