Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire League

Rossington Sharks 32
Lincoln City Knights 16

Lincoln City Knights held on to second place in the league despite a disappointing 32-16 defeat away at Rossington Sharks.

Tries from Andy Donnor and Pete Webster made the scores 10-10 by halftime, with Paul Purnell and Patrick O'Donovon responding for Rossington.

A brace from Gareth Burns along with tries from Alani Kaihan and Ryan Johnson sealed the victory for the hosts, with the Knights only reply coming from Dan Reeds. The match also saw the debut of Kyle Rolfe who came on as a substitute in the second row and did a sterling job.

Coach Dave Moll was left frustrated by a poor performance.

"We were the masters of our own downfall and made too many errors to make it easy for Rossington," said Moll.

We have to regroup and come back stronger for the hardest game of the season next week at home against Thorne-Moor Marauders."

Captain John Turner echoed his manager's comments.

"It was a really poor performance but next week at home, I'm sure we'll regroup and bounce back," said Turner.

Lincoln started brightly and were almost rewarded only for Colin Whitham to be held up over the line.

The Knights soon moved ahead when Andy Donnor burst through the defence to run 20 metres for a great try, shrugging off the defence on his way. Johnny Ledger added the extras.

Lincoln continued to dominate but several unforced errors allowed Rossington back into the game with Purnell going over for a try midway through the half.

Man of the match Rob Mitchell made great yards with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a substitute, before minutes later saving the Knights with some brilliant tackles.

But despite Lincoln's hard work the Sharks edged ahead in injury time with O'Donovan bundling over for a try, which Gavin Morgan converted.

The Knights levelled the scores with the final play of the half. Mitchell was tackled metres out but nothing could stop Webster powering over from close range.

Lincoln began the second half positively but it was the hosts who were next to score as Kaihan went over for a try, which Morgan converted.

Rossington moved further ahead when Gareth Burns showed great strength before missed tackles allowed him to run in for a try, which Morgan converted.

The Knights almost hit back when an excellent interception from Steve Hughes allowed the full back to make superb yards deep into the opposition’s half. Hughes offloaded to Dale Jinks who made good yards, before Matt Meanwell was tackled a metre out.

Colin Whitham then showed great strength before offloading to Hughes who was tackled metres short of the line.

But the pressure didn't turn into points, and Rossington extended their lead with Ryan Johnson going over for a try in the corner, which Morgan converted.

Lincoln reduced the deficit when Turner released Reeds to run through the gap for a great try, which Ledger converted.

But Rossington had the final say with Burns going over for a try in the corner.

By Joseph Verney