Lincoln Squires 46
Sheffield Forgers’ 2nds 24

Four tries from Nathan Parkin helped Lincoln Squires to a 46-24 victory over Sheffield Forger’s second team in their first ever fixture.

A brace from Dave Starling and a try from man of the match Parkin gave Lincoln an 18-10 lead going in at the break, with Vincent Caldwell scoring both tries for the visitors.

Tries from Tom Else, Jon Hitchman and the debutant winger gave the Forgers hope, but further scores from Parkin and Steve Blagdon ensured a victory for the Squires.

Coach Dave Moll was pleased to see the Squires come out on top in their first ever fixture.

“I was pleased with the performance of the team containing several debutants,” said Moll.

“They gelled into a team early on and their performance bodes well for the future.”

Lincoln started brightly and were rewarded with a try after 17 minutes when Parking went over for the first of his four tries. Mark Pearson added the extras.

The Squires continued to push forward with captain Pete Webster making an excellent break from halfway before being tackled. From the next play the hosts attacked quickly to put Starling over for a try, which Pearson converted.

Starling scored again just three minutes later when he reacted quickest to pounce on the loose ball for his second try of the match. Pearson once again slotted over the conversion.

Sheffield refused to give up and reduced the deficit to just 10 points with two tries in the final five minutes of the half.

Caldwell went over for a try, before adding a second after quick play from a scrum allowed him to dive over for his second. Tom Else converted the second try to leave the scores 18-0 in Lincoln’s favour going in at the break.

Sheffield made a positive start to the second half and cut the gap to just four points within minutes of the restart.

A good break from Dave Pearce set up Else for a try in the corner, before the Forgers levelled the scores at 18-18 minutes later.

The debutant winger evaded several tackles before racing clear for a try as Sheffield produced a determined second half fight back.
But two tries in five minutes put Lincoln back in front, with a 10 point advantage. Parkin went over for a try from close range, before the hooker completed his hat-trick with a huge break from halfway evading any defender that tried to stand in his way.

Parkin was off target with the first conversion, but Ross O’Loughlin successfully converted the second.

Lincoln extended their lead after a good break from O’Loughlin and good work from Webster set up Blagdon to spin past his man before going over for a try. O’Loughlin added the extras.

But once again Sheffield refused to give up and after good attacking pressure Hitchman went over for a try from close range, which Else converted.

The Squires made sure of the victory with two tries in the final 10 minutes. Parkin went over for his fourth try of the match, before Blagdon again showed his trademark spin to beat his man and go over for a great score. O’Loughlin converted both attempts to ensure that the Squires ended on top.

By Joseph Verney