Bakelock 22 – 5 Lincoln

Bakelock faced Lincoln in the final group game of the NLD cup with a bonus point win essential for Bakelock to have any chance of progressing in the competition.

The home side started brightly putting Lincoln under early pressure. Several powerful drives edged Bakelock closer to the Lincoln line. Stevenson, smelling blood, gathered and with several opponents clinging on powered over in the corner.

Lincoln tried to respond through their dangerous looking backs but Mayhew, Winter and Musgrove had other ideas stopping them dead with some fabulous tackling. Bakelock were then awarded a rare penalty which Orridge intelligently opted to quickly tap and go. Having made the break he passed out to man-of-the-match Musgrove who sidestepped brilliantly before going over for a try. Half time Bakelock 10 – 0 Lincoln.

The second half began and with the strong wind behind them Lincoln employed the kicking game to pin Bakelock back. Full back Ellison handled the high ball superbly executing some tremendous clearing kicks. The pressure eventually told however with Lincoln scoring after a scrappy period of play.

Celebrating like they had won the cup Lincoln thought they were well and truly back in the game. They had to think again as the excellent Bakelock pack surged forward winning ball at both ruck and scrum. Second row Fitzsimons, instrumental as ever, won possession and cut through the defensive line to score under the posts.

As the game progressed Orridge prodded and probed with some deft kicking ensuring the game was played in the Lincoln half. The conditions were such that free flowing rugby was difficult but the ball did find its way to Peachey who fended off his opposite number before rounding the remaining defenders to score the crucial bonus point try.

The final whistle blew bringing the game to an end with Bakelock running out comfortable winners without, in truth, ever having to get out of second gear. Final score Bakelock 22 – 5 Lincoln.

Coaching points / comments

Another excellent performance in testing conditions. We have definitely upped a level and are now competing with the best.

Game management was excellent; more often than not the correct option was taken. We held up the ball in the tackle again, indeed several of the Lincoln backs were actually lifted off their feet!

The forwards competed brilliantly again laying the platform for the performance. Two actually scored tries – let’s not have much more of that!

The big thing for me however was the defence. We had 15 players all putting in tackles and that makes us very hard to beat. Pound-for-pound Tom must be the best tackler in the league!

Well done, see you Wednesday.