Rugby Lincoln beats Burnham, 19-12

Press, 27 June 1983, Page 12

Rugby Lincoln beats Burnham, 19-12

Lincoln came from 3-12 down at half-time to beat Burnham, 19-12, in an entertaining Ellesmere senior championship rugby match at the Lincoln Domain on Saturday. Lincoln had only itself to blame for being behind at the interval. Playing into a brisk breeze its deep cover on the left flank was found wanting on several occasions and Burnham made good use of the wind to exploit this weakness. Throughout the first half Lincoln was slightly ahead in line-out and ruck 'possession, but this was offset by the better tactical appreciation of the Burnham backs. However, with the breeze behind them in the second half the Lincoln backs were more dangerous and it was not long before the scores were level. But then Lincoln relaxed a little and it was only in the last 10 minutes that it forged ahead with a dropped goal to Mark Bray and, almost on time, a try. Full marks must be given both teams. Each endeavoured to play open rugby and the contest between the loose forwards for second-phase ball was especially tight. Each side had its dominant periods, with all six loose forwards — Harry Croft, Brian Hewson and Gregg Kohinui (Burnham) and Phil Kortegast, Jamie Clarke and Terry Moir (Lincoln) — playing good games. Burnside was without its regular hooker, Henry Hunt, but it had a lively replacement in Gregg Etom, and his opposite, Lindsay Norton, won the Lincoln “player of the day” award. The Lincoln captain, Eddie Kerr, maintained his tremendous form, although he had to devote himself more to the tight play in this match. The class of Buff Milner was apparent in the Burnham backline, and he was especially valuable on cover defence. The half-back, Mark Anderson, and the second five-eighths, Jim Jones, were other able backs for Burnham. Jones used the grubber kick to good ef-

fect. For Lincoln. Mark Bray play’ed his usual solid game and Gregg Jones acquitted himself well at full-back. For Lincoln. D. Fay and M. Bray tries; Bray two’ dropped goals; G. Jones penalty goal and a conversion. For Burnham. A. Wall a try; B. Milner penalty goal and conversion; M. Anderson penalty goal. Referee: Mr M. Howse. Other results were:— Senior A.—Darfieid 21, Kirwee 3; Southbridge 0, Peninsula 0; Sheffield 7, Leeston 0. Senior B.—Diamond Harbour 18, United 4; West Melton 17, Dunsandel 4; Prebbleton 24, Springston 6; Irwell 20, Lincoln 19. Senior reserve.—Section 1: Prebbleton 27, Darfieid 12; Leeston 42, Selwyn 0; Waihora 9, Banks Peninsula 3. Section 2: Southbridge 24, Sheffield 10; Burnham 43, Kirwee 9. Under 21.—Prebbleton 66. Southbridge 6; Darfieid 15, West Melton 8; Burnham 13, Dunsandel 12; Waihora 14, Lincoln 6. Under 18.—Springston 36, Diamond Harbour 0; LeestonIrwell 42, West Melton 8; Prebbleton 24, Darfieid 3. Under 16.—Lincoln 16, Sheffield 12; Waihora 32, Southbridge Combined 6; Springston 31, West Melton 0. Under 14.—Waihora-Penin-sula 12, Darfieid 4; Selwyn beat Lincoln, by default; Springston beat Southbridge, by default; West Melton 20, Prebbleton 0; Leeston-Irwell 35, Dunsandel 0. Under 12.—East; Lincoln 34, Prebbelton 0; Leeston 26, Irwell 0; Southbridge 20, Peninsula 13. West: Burnham 14, West Melton 3; Sheffield 41, Springston 6; Selwyn 26. Darfieid 0; Waihora 16, Dunsandel 10. Under 10.—Burnham 14, Peninsula 10; Lincoln 14, West Melton 10; Darfieid 20, Waihora 12; Southbridge 10, Selwyn 10; Leeston 14, Springston 14; Prebbleton No. 2 14, Dunsandel 14; Sheffield 20, Prebbleton No. 1 4; Irwell 36, Kirwee 16.