A home draw against Grimsby had the potential on paper for the red and blacks to face a difficult fixture, especially on the back of their three consecutive league defeats and the visitors early season form. However a confident home side had points on the board early on and never really looked troubled with a workmanlike performance in the opening 30 minutes that set Sleaford up for a comfortable passage in to the Round 3 draw on Tuesday. Sleaford RFC welcomed back their club captain Paul Norry last weekend following an extended business foray overseas that has kept him away from rugby for the majority of the early part of this season. Mark Baldwin was also available and added his physical presence in the loose as was ex-skipper Justin Helliwell who made a welcome return to the game following his shoulder injury. However missing this week were Damian Smith, Lee Clarkson, Ryan Bachelor and Rhys Jefferies, with Chris Angell dropping to the bench and Dan Gunter being preferred as a starter to Tom Collyer on the wing. Early pressure Centre Euan Adamson opened the scoring under the posts on just 5 minutes following good early forward pressure which had given the three-quarters a good platform to work off. A well chosen line and the simplest of miss passes gave him an unhindered run in from 5 yards out. The try was converted. Sleaford's good start was quickly advanced as David Gunter finished well out wide on the right after the forwards quickly recycled possession left the visitors with a shortage of defenders. A long range conversion from stand off Will Parry kept the scoreboard ticking. With the red and blacks increasing confidence as they began to dominate the game, debutant scrum-half Matt Pereira sneaked round the blind side from a driven maul to score his first try for his new team the extra points were easily taken A further try 22 minutes in from full-back Geoff Flathers put the home side securely in the driving seat but also caused them to lower their guard and as they began to question some of the decisions from the visiting referee from South Carolina they were suitably punished by the visitors as they leaked a try out wide. A re-focusing of the minds from the huddle under the posts was justly rewarded with a further score, this time from wing Ryan Flaherty to take the home side in to a 33 point to 5 half time lead. Second Half
 | | Richard South secures line out ball. |
In the second period with Sleaford playing in to the elements it was Grimsby who made the strong start, testing the red and black defence with some good handling skills in broken play. The visitors could not however find a way through the defensive line even when Sleaford were reduced to 14 men following Justin Helliwell being adjudged to have made an illegal block. In fact after he had served his 10 minute suspension, the red and blacks were deep in Grimsby territory and so he came on to assist Matt Pereira score his second try of the day. With the game really beyond reach at this stage, the visitors courageously maintained their pressure and were justly rewarded with two further tries but it appeared that whenever Sleaford elected they could raise their game accordingly and get further points on the board. Young Ryan Flaherty and Tom Collyer bagging tries for Sleaford to round off a much improved performance for Sleaford than in recent weeks but one that still only saw the home team perform periodically. Sleaford will look to raise their game once again this coming weekend as they host Nottingham Moderns in the league at home – kick off is at 2.30pm. And with the now annual bonfire and firework party later on Saturday evening (gates open at 6pm), coach Brain Harshaw will be hoping that his side give him something to celebrate. Team: L Chalmers, A Priestley, P Norry (capt), R South, D Hards, J Helliwell, M Baldwin, A Daughtery, M Pereira, W Parry, D Gunter, C Sammut, E Adamson, R Flaherty, G Flathers. Subs : T Collyer, C Angell, S Speight, S Atkinson Scorers : Tries : E Adamson, D Gunter, M Pereira (2), G Flathers, R Flaherty (2), T Collyer
Conversions : W Parry (4)
Penalties : none Other selected Senior Vase results: Belgrave 38–5 Kesteven Lincoln 29–30 Oakham Spalding 19–5 Shrewsbury Syston 34–12 Market Rasen | 
