A Hykeham Presidents XV took to the field for the first time in many years last night at a sodden Kelham Road, in atrocious conditions.

The conditions however did not deter the pressies' from playing a fast attacking style of Rugby. Indeed the skill levels on display where very high from both sides in these conditions. Those skills made this a truly entertaining game to watch and play in!

Hykeham started strongly and held the territorial advantage for prologed periods, using their aggressive forwards to control possession and tie in the Newark defence at set-piece and breakdown. Hykeham scored early and managed to maintain their pattern of play throughout the 1st half, with scores from Green, Fisher, Watson, Ward, Munton for a 27-3 lead at halftime. Hykeham made some changes and came out to face a typical Newark side, who dogged until the end and mounted a fight back in the 2nd half, adding 2 converted tries, 1 from their strong running centre. But Hykeham also added to their score with tries from Ford and Davies for a final score of 39-17.

As is typical of any fixture between Hykeham and Newark the rugby was gripping throughout, full of agression, skill and passion and the ethos of the game!

This was a superb team performance by the Hykeham Pressies' with a good balance of guests and some of Hykeham's 2nd team players stepping up. There were standout performances from individuals Ric Shaw and Josh Dandy in the backs and Shaun Fisher off the back row. A huge thanks especially to our guest players Craig Dowse (Spalding), Shaun Fisher and Adam Downing (Sleaford), Karl Ward (Mkt Rasen) and Chris Green (Lincoln). All of whom leave with a good impression of what Hykeham Rugby is about!

Thankyou to Newark for the invitation to play on what is a big night for the club.