The Red and Blacks recorded their first league win of the season with a fine performance at Ruskington Road against Lincolnshire rivals Grimsby.

It is to be hoped this result will be a springboard for the rest of the season.

Opting to play against the slight breeze, Sleaford found the opposition predictable in their pick and go game, a tactic that the visitors were to use repeatedly throughout the game.

Staying disciplined in defence, Sleaford made it very difficult for Grimsby to cross the gain line and began to grind the opposition down.

As Grimsby became more and more frustrated poor discipline at the breakdown saw the home side awarded a penalty which James Offer converted to put Sleaford three-nil up.

They increased their advantage with a Sammut try in the corner.

With Sleaford confidence now high, the Red and Blacks extended their lead to 15-0 with a second try for Sammut, in his final game for Sleaford before taking up a new career in London. Offer added the conversion.

Sleaford were now playing with a freedom and ambition rarely seen this season, with half backs Offer and Batchelor orchestrating the attacks.

The third try for the Red and Blacks would have graced any game. It began with full back Tom Mahoney, keeping the ball in play superbly, and was taken on by Mackie deep in his own half, before centre Euan Adamson took over and released fellow centre Dave Hankinson, who raced in from 20 metres out to round off a superb move. Again Offer converted to make the half time score-line 22-0.

The loss of Batchelor in the second half meant a reshuffle for Sleaford in the second half and they took some time to get back into their stride.

Grimsby took full advantage of this situation with a try from a catch and drive lineout that was neatly converted.

The Red and Blacks then moved Offer to fly half and Mackie to scrum half, which enabled them to regain the upper hand.

To round off an encouraging performance, Sleaford added a fifth try when Offer made a decisive break after a series of rucks to allow Adamson to touch down under the posts. Again, Offer converted.

Sleaford 1st XV squad: Davies, Hunt, Loveday, Daughtrey, Stanger, Pocklington, Sammut, Chalmers, Offer, Batchelor, Knight, Adamson, Hankinson, Mackie, Mahoney, Fisher, Robotham