Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire League

Lincoln City Knights 88
Scunthorpe Barbarians 34

Lincoln City Knights moved up to second place with hat-tricks from Johnny Ledger and Jim Bardgett giving them an 88-34 victory over Scunthorpe Barbarians.

Ledger and Dale Jinks crossed twice with further scores from Meehal Grint, Gareth Evans, John Turner and Steve Blagdon putting the Knights 44-12 ahead by halftime. Karl Clayton and Alistair Fagan responded for the visitors.

Tries from Bardgett, Ledger, Turner, Dave Starling, Andy Donnor and Ross O’Loughlin completed the victory.

Prop Paul Hamnett was delighted with the performance:

“It was a good solid performance but there are still some areas to improve,” he said.

“All players contributed well and it gives us more momentum going into the last game of the regular season, and hopefully into the playoffs.”

Returning half back Evans added:

”It was a great performance but we need to step up ahead of the playoffs.”

Lincoln took just two minutes to opening the scoring with Ledger running in for a try.

The Knights soon extended their lead when Evans released Jinks to dart through the defence for a try, which Ledger converted.

Scunthorpe hit back when Clayton span past his marker to go over for a try, which he also converted.

Jinks went over for his second try when he shrugged off his man before running 30 metres for a superb score, which Ledger converted.

Scunthorpe began to pressure the Lincoln line but to no avail and paid the price when Grint touched down for a try.

Lincoln played some fantastic rugby and a superb passing move put Ledger in for a try, which he also converted.

Evans sprinted 20 metres for a try after an excellent offload in the tackle from Jason Ward. Ledger added the extras.

Two tries in three minutes completed a great first half for Lincoln. Ward set up Turner for a try in the corner before great work from Bardgett set up Blagdon to sprint clear for a try. Evans converted both attempts.

With the final play of the half Fagan showed great strength to force himself over for a try, which Lewis Jones converted.

A lovely side step saw Bardgett race clear for a try within two minutes of the restart, which Evans converted.

Three tries in seven minutes extended Lincoln’s lead. Starling played a great line before running in for a try, before a bit of magic from the captain. Turner showed a superb side step before racing clear from halfway and cutting inside for a try. Bardgett raced clear for his second try with Evans two attempts and Ledger missing the other.

A great pass and move put Clayton in for a try, before a penalty try reduced the deficit further. Clayton converted both attempts.

Lincoln were soon back on top with Ledger showing a great sidestep before running in for his hat-trick. Evans converted.

Sherwood ran in for Scunthorpe’s final try, which Clayton converted, before Lincoln rounded off the scoring.

Two tries in as many minutes put Lincoln even further ahead. Donnor shrugged off his man to run in for a try before a great pass from Bargett released O'Loughlin to sidestep and sprint 30 metres for a great score. Evans converted both attempts at goal.

An excellent offload in the tackle by Starling released Bargett to sprint clear for his hat-trick.

Kirk Murray piled over for a try in the final minute but it was a mere consolation for the Barbarians.

By Joseph Verney