Perfect day for Mackie as Sleaford beat rivals
Kesteven 0
Sleaford RFC 1st XV 34
SLEAFORD made the short journey over to local rivals Kesteven hoping to extend their winning run over this opposition.
Kesteven enjoyed early possession but the Sleaford defence showed they were more than equal to anything thrown at them, with big hits coming in from various players, notably Mackie and Camm.
When Sleaford did turn over the ball they immediately showed that the back line was dangerous, with Spencer and Ingleton a constantly menace to the home defence.
The Red and Blacks took the lead through a Mackie penalty and a few minutes later he successfully kicked another to make it 6-0.
The first try came from a usual source, with Spencer crossing the line following sustained pressure from the pack. With Mackie adding the extra points, Sleaford were building a good lead.
The whole team were playing well, with backs and forwards interchanging effectively.
Pushing the home side into the corner following a good kick, Sleaford were determined to put the Kesteven hooker under pressure. With Downing and Hards soaring into the air, the visitors took the line out ball to set up Mackie, who broke through a gap that opened up in front on him to go over by the posts. He then added the conversion to push the lead to 20-0 and take his own personal points tally to 15.
Sleaford were then reduced to 14 men when Harley was sin-binned 10 minutes.
Mackie then turned provider to set up Smith, who cut an excellent line inside and then had a clear run under the posts. Once again the conversion was added to extend the lead 27-0 going in to half time.
For the second half, Kesteven had the advantage of playing down the slope but Sleaford were determined not to let their hosts back into the game.
From a Kesteven attack, Spencer intercepted the ball and started the 80 metre sprint to the Kesteven line but after 60 metres the covering defence caught up with him.
The play now entered a scrappy period where Sleaford’s defence held firm as Kesteven seemed to run out of ideas.
The final score of the game came from a Kesteven scrum. On the Kesteven five metre line, the Sleaford pack shoved the Kesteven forwards backwards and the ball squirted out allowing D. Gunter to fall on it to claim the try that gave Sleaford the bonus point.
Mackie, who had a faultless day with his kicking, added the conversion to take the final score to 34-0, of which he scored 19.
Sleaford 1st XV: Davies, Harley, Ashton, Hards, Downing, Loweth, A. Gunter, Fisher, D. Gunter, Mackie, Titmus, Spencer, Ingleton, Smith, Camm. Subs: Andrews, Sherin, Cockroft
Scorers: Tries - Spencer, Mackie, Smith, D. Gunter; Conversations - Mackie (4); Penalties: Mackie (2)
n This weekend Sleaford are at home to Melbourne. Kick off 2.15pm.
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Weather for Sleaford
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
