Cleethorpes 52 – 15 Hykeham

Cleethorpes Rugby club kept the wins rolling with another victory, this time in the Lincolnshire Intermediate semi-final. Both Cleethorpes and North Hykeham came to the game full of confidence off the back of big wins lasts week. North Hykeham started the strongest with sustained pressure resulting in the away team taking a deserved lead. This seemed to kick start the home team into action which was led by club legends Rich Hyde and Sean Ward who taught the team a lesson in how a second row should play in the loose long with Nance who where a constant pest around the break down. Cleethorpes soon found themselves on the edge on Hykeham’s 22 and didn’t waste the opportunity with a perfectly executed lineout thanks to the consistent accuracy of Andy Shaw, the maul saw Scott Brown demonstrate his power barrelling three Hykeham players to score the day’s first try.
The next try was truly a classic with the ball going through everyone’s hands except Jonathan Grant who could only stand and admire. Adam Beeken ran a switch with Shaw, who popped to Stark who beat 3 men the ball eventually found its way to Burton who played a one-two with Goodwin which resulted in a score by Burton under the post. Captain Broderick showed his ability to put his team in the correct position with some expert kicking out of hand.
Daniel McDaid scored with a trademark show and go an also slotted 3 conversions. McDaid’s return the team has been pivotal to the recent improvement in results. Isaac-Ciro and Goodwin teamed up for the fourth try of the half scored by Goodwin. Perhaps more impressive was Ciro, Goodwin, Paris and Trigg’s defensive performance not letting Hykeham’s backs over the gain line all game.
The second saw another try from Burton along with tries from Stark, Stinson and Jonathan. Other highlights from the half saw Beeken tackle everything in that moved with the ball from the opposition, this earned Adam the man of the match and the mantle of future of the club. Grayson who was unlucky to be on the bench after some strong performances was introduced and celebrated his birthday with several big hits as did Roberts, Davidson and Mcgregor when they came on. Carr came on also to set up a try and secure the scrum and Isaac showed his pace with a 70 meter run. Pat Hughes added another 3 conversion along with a try assist with an offload out of a tackle. Hykeham never gave up scoring a try under the post to make the final score 52 -15 to Cleethorpes.
Cleethorpes return to playing for enjoyment has seen them win three in a row and really excited the 100 strong crowd with eggcellent open and expansive rugby. Next week sees the team play their final league game of the season at home to Long Eaton followed by the more important captain’s night out. Cleethorpes RUFC is currently looking strong although the really bonus this season has been seen with the fantastic progress of our junior teams, thanks to the dedication of the coaches and volunteers which will result in our first junior recruits joining the senior next season.