Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire League
Scunthorpe Barbarians 6
Lincoln City Knights 48

Lincoln City Knights ran in eight tries as they returned to winning ways with a 48-6 victory over Scunthorpe Barbarians.

Tries from Andy Donnor, Steve Hughes and Dale Jinks gave Lincoln an 18-2 lead by halftime, with Scunthorpe’s only response a Tom Alldridge penalty.

A brace from Graham Cass and tries from Meehal Grint, Steve Blagdon and Jim Bardgett completed the rout, but the Barbarians managed a late consolation try through Gavin Kempthorne.

Coach Dave Moll was delighted with the performance.

“It was a much better performance, but we are still trying to force the ball a lot although that could be down to the opposition, so credit to Scunthorpe,” said Moll.

“I was very impressed with our defence this week - we blocked Scunthorpe out all game apart from the last few minutes.

“All in all it was a good team performance and a great platform for the coming weeks.”

Debutant Johnny Ledger, who controlled the game well from scrum half and converted all eight attempts at goal, added:

“The defence was much improved and the team discipline was excellent,” said Ledger.

“The attacking play was the best we have played all season and we have got something to build on for a harder game against Sheffield next week.”

Lincoln made a lively start and were almost rewarded but Ledger was held up over the line.

Scunthorpe put the first points on the board with an Alldridge penalty. But Lincoln soon responded with the first try of the match. Donnor shrugged off a tackle to burst through for a try, which Ledger converted.

The Knights extended their lead with Colin Whitham showing great strength before offloading to man of the match Bardgett. Bardgett burst through the gap before releasing Hughes to run in for a simple score, which Ledger converted.

Great defence created Lincoln’s next score. A big hit from Grint forced Scunthorpe to drop the ball before quick thinking and a great pass from Bardgett released Jinks, who evaded the defender and dived over for a try. Ledger added the extras.

Lincoln added try number four within two minutes of the restart when Grint took advantage of a fumbled kick to pick up the loose ball and run in for a try, which Ledger converted.

Austin Huntley had only been on the field a few seconds when he was tackled one metre from the line, but there was no stopping Cass going over from close range. Ledger added the extras.

Bardgett released Blagdon to power over for a try, before the hooker confused the defence with a dummy and ran through the gap for a great try. Ledger converted both attempts.

Kempthorne dodged past three tackles before running in for Scunthorpe’s only try late on.

But the Knights had the final say after Ledger found a gap in the defence with an excellent sidestep before racing clear and releasing Cass to run in for a try. Ledger slotted over the conversion to complete a great performance for the Knights.