United Counties League

Premier Division

Sleaford Town 1

Irchester United 0

SLEAFORD Town are really enjoying 2012, having remained unbeaten since the turn of the year, encouraging form even allowing for the fact that there have been a couple of blank weekends without fixtures due to the weather.

For this latest victory Town had to wait until five minutes from time to secure the points despite having dominated the game from the start and for more than half the match having a man advantage.

That said the win, against fellow strugglers, was well merited and vitally important and saw Sleaford pull a little further away from the danger zone.

The key to Saturday’s success was the defence, which looked strong throughout the 90 minutes, with Jones and Braithwaite at the heart of the defence making two early headed clearances to set out their stall from the very start.

With most of the action towards the Irchester goal a Jason Sedlan cross was pushed away for a corner and shortly after a free kick from Liam Tunstall fizzed over the bar.

Town were well on top but missed that vital cutting edge.

Sam Husband brought out a fine save from the Irchester keeper, cutting in from the left before firing in a shot on target.

In the 38th minute Irchester were reduced to 10 men after a foul on Jones but it remained goal-less going in to the half time break.

Town were hoping to capitalise on their man advantage and a neat flick by Michael Musson set up strike partner Tunstall but his shot went wide of the mark.

Then Tim Beadles somehow managed to hit over from point blank range after the keeper had fumbled.

It was left to club talisman and Town’s all time highest scorer Jamie Shaw to apply that vital finishing touch.

Coming on as a second half substitute, Shaw did what he does best by being in the right place at the right time. When a shot from current leading marksman Tunstall thudded against the bar in the 85th minute, Shaw, showing his natural predatory instincts, was first to react and on hand to pop the ball in for what proved to be the match winner.

Sixteen-year-old Harry Ginniff turned in an encouraging cameo late in the game, coming on as a substitute, with Town boss Brian Rowland saying: “He is a good young player, definitely one for the future.”

Town: Lindberg, Tunnicliffe, Jones, Braithwaite, Fenton, Beadles, Sedlan, Popple, Husband, Musson, Tunstall. Subs: Shaw, Ginniff, Calvert, Ellis, Ward

n This Saturday, Sleaford Town face a tough away fixture at Holbeach. Kick off 3pm

n In a generally encouraging week for Town, there was some disappointment with the news that influential midfielder Simon Bolland has left the club to join Spalding.

ALMOST 400 athletes converged on RAF Cranwell for the annual Sleaford Half Marathon and Family Fun Run on Sunday.

The event, organised by Sleaford Striders Athletics Club, saw runners from as far afield as Bristol, Carlisle and London.

After weeks of cold weather runners were treated to ideal conditions along the redesigned 13.1 mile route, which provided some challenging terrain and a testing climb up to the finish line.

Last year’s runner up Andrew Fisher, representing the RAF, went one better this year, producing a fine performance to win the half marathon in a time of 1 hour 14 minutes 56 seconds.

He successfully fended off a strong challenge from Nene Valley Harriers’ Michael Moore, who completed the course in a time of 1.15.31 to claim second place.

The battle for third was just as intriguing, with only 25 seconds separating the next four runners.

Third place went to Richard Bateson (1.18.23) of Lincoln Wellington, chased by a posse of Sleaford Town Runners led by John Siddens (4th, 1.18.26), Iain Bailey (5th, 1.18.32) and Greg Southern (6th, 1.18.48).

Lucy Holmes, representing Ripley AC, was the first woman home, coming 32nd overall in 1.27.37.

Of the Sleaford Striders representatives, Mark Hebden was first home in a time of 1.39.02. First lady Strider home was Sasha Oliver, in a personal best 2.01.40.

The Family Fun Run saw 68 children and parents taking part along the 3km course.

Samuel James and Steffi Wilkinson, both of Sleaford Striders, were first male and female juniors to complete the course, with Joe Maunde from Bourne Town Harriers in second place and Samuel’s younger brother Patrick James, third.

n To view more photos from the Sleaford Half Marathon and Fun Run see this week’s Sleaford Standard.

Mellish 12

Sleaford RFC 1st XV 41

SLEAFORD first fifteen returned to action on Saturday after a two week break due to the recent ice and snow.

The team saw a number of changes, with Cox returning to full back, Dave Gunter moving into centre, Holmes stepping in at scrum half and Cockcroft starting in the second row.

Sleaford faced the wind in the first half and Mellish were quickly out of the blocks, pushing Sleaford off the ball at the break down and showing early dominance in the scrum.

The home side were awarded a scrum on Sleaford’s five metre line and the Red and Blacks were driven backward, resulting in a penalty try for Mellish when the scrum was brought down by the Sleaford front row.

On 20 minutes Fisher off loaded to Holmes and, with the resultant overlap, Smith scored in the right corner to put five points on the board for Sleaford.

Another overlap on the right was neatly finished by Smith, who scored his second try of the game to give Sleaford a 10–7 lead at half time.

In the second Sleaford’s fitness began to tell and Mellish struggled to keep up with the quick rugby the Red and Blacks were playing.

A penalty from Mackie added a further three points for Sleaford and the infringement resulted in a Mellish player 10 minutes off the park for consistent dissent.

Sleaford took full advantage of the extra man, scoring three converted tries before the player returned to the field.

Smith went over for his third try of the game and Spencer and Lowerth also scored.

From the base of a scrum the ball was moved quickly from Holmes to Mackie, stepped inside his opposite number to go over under the posts and set up an easy conversion.

In the game Mackie kicked four conversions and a penalty.

Sleaford 1st XV: Ashton, Harley. Andrews. Cockcroft, Downing, Lowerth, A. Gunter, Fisher, Hopkins, Mackie, Smith, D. Gunter, Spencer, Titmus, Cox.

Replacements: Hopkins, Chambers.

Sleaford scorers: Tries - Smith (3); Lowerth; Spencer, Mackie; Conversions – Mackie (4); Penalties – Mackie

n This Saturday, Sleaford 1st team travel to Stourbridge Lions for their rearranged semi final clash. Kick off 3pm.

A coach is travelling from Sleaford Rugby Club. Any spectators who wish to travel on the coach should get in touch with the club.

FORMER leading British tennis player and now a TV presenter, Andrew Castle, is to be guest of honour when Sleaford Tennis Club formally opens its new courts at Boston Road recreation ground.

After years of hard work by members, the club now has four new all-weather courts.

The courts are to be officially opened on March 24 at 2pm.

Watch out for more news on this event and Sleaford Tennis Club in forthcoming editions of your Standard.

l Sleaford Tennis Club will be holding its annual meeting at the Solo Club, Market Place, Sleaford on Wednesday, February 29.

Presentations will take place from 6.30pm followed by the annual meeting at 7.30pm.

County development officer for the LTA, Andy McFeeters, will be presenting trophies to winners of the club’s 2011 competitions.