Deeping Ducks, Lincoln, Kesteven and Lincolnshire Lancers all played over the weekend, while Market Rasen & Louth completed a special fundraiser for charity.

Deeping Ducks showed great determination and character as they ended their first rugby league season in the East Midlands Merit League with a laborious 62-38 defeat to Sherwood Wolf Hunt ARLFC.

The Ducks started the game slowly but scored more points than their opponents in the second half. Their defense was impressive, resulting in several turnovers, and they attacked with great enthusiasm and determination, said team manager and player Kieran Lynch.

Andrew Donnell scored two tries for Deepings, while Ducks players of the match Chris Jones, Robert Purins, Samuel Cunnington, Alex Reyes Conway and Kieran Lynch scored a try each.

Donnell scored the remaining points with the shoe, converting five conversions.

After the game, team manager Kieran Lynch said: “I am incredibly proud of the Deeping Ducks in their first season. The boys have done exceptionally well and the team spirit is stronger than ever.

“We have built strong relationships with other clubs and although we would have liked to have played a few more games, I think we have achieved a lot more than we originally expected.

“We have laid a solid foundation for the coming years and are excited to see what next season has to offer.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the players for their commitment this season and to coach George Stevens for his hard work in building an ethic that will guide us in the future.

“Special thanks to our sponsors and to Lynsey Fowler and the entire Deepings Rugby Union FC committee for their unwavering support.”

The Lincolnshire Lancers, part of Lincoln Rugby Club, finished third in their first season in the IGR Touch Rugby Northern Development League.

They travelled to Butts Park Arena in Coventry at the weekend for their final tournament of the season, where they ended up in second place.

After a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Hurricanes, the Lancers beat Newcastle Ravens 2-1. They then lost 5-2 to Liverpool Tritons before beating Coventry Corsairs 3-0.

The team captain was Tom Vanden Eede and Kieran Foxall (4), Ashley Vamplew (3) and Jamie Walmsley (1) all scored tries for the Lancers.

Jill Stubley was nominated as Player of the Day for her “consistent performance, confident handling and help with drives.”

Tom, who will hand over the captaincy to Logan Teague next season, said: “This season the Lincolnshire Lancers took part in the IGR Touch Rugby Northern Development League for the first time.

“We started this season in Manchester and have gone from strength to strength since then, fighting our way to third place in the league.

“The team’s commitment and confidence are incredible and we can’t wait to see what next season will bring.”

The league season is over but the team will be at Lincoln Pride later this month before competing in the NERDS development tournament day hosted by England Touch in Stockton-on-Tees on September 21, 2024.

Lincoln Imps XV hosted Kestevens Development XV in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon and the visitors emerged victorious with a 37-12 victory.

Jack Palin scored two tries for Kesteven and man of the match Olly Andrew, Harry Cox, Scott Odams, Cam Muir and Arlando all scored one each. Finn Tumman added a conversion try.

Kesteven’s best tries came from Odams, with winger Will Young leaving several players in his wake before releasing the ball on the 22-yard line and running in to score a great try.

Dave Rose-Allen, captain of the Lincoln Imps XV, scored his side’s first try after running into the corner on a trick play following a lineout and scoring a point.

The hosts scored a second try just before the end when Shaun Williams picked up the ball ten yards from goal, stepped into a gap and ran under the posts to score, with Jack Randell adding another.

Market Rasen & Louth RUFC took part in a 24-hour Bronco Challenge which started on Friday 9th August to raise money for Dementia UK and a ‘major clubhouse revamp’.

The challenge was for each player to run a total of 1200 metres every hour as fast as possible. Sixteen players completed the entire 24 hours, supported all the time by other older and younger players and club fans.

There was also a walking rugby match and a range of other activities on Saturday. The Bronco Challenge was player led and supported by everyone at the club. 70% of the money raised went to Dementia UK and the rest to the club’s redevelopment. Donations can be made here.

The club wanted to raise money for Dementia UK as it is a cause close to their hearts.

Former player and club member Mason Cole suffers from dementia and his son Ollie played for the club for several years.

Mason began playing for Market Rasen in 1979 and was captain of the first team in the 1983/84 season and president of the club for several years.

He held various other roles at the club over the years, including groundsman for two decades and junior coach for five years. He loved the sport and played until he was 53.

Market Rasen coach Paul Cook, who was among those taking part in the challenge, said: “As players we have learnt a lot about each other which will only help us progress with our rugby!”

“Thanks again everyone! We plan to do something like this every year, a huge event for a good cause to help anyone who needs help!”

Cook, Spen Holvey, Ben Young, Harry Lightfoot, Connor Janney, Alex Ruck, Chris Starling, Mike Starling, Joe McDonnell, Tom Dale, Tom Miller, Curtis Spencer, Rory Barnes-Brown, Dom Barnes-Brown, Bobby Timmins and Will Inman all took part in the challenge.

Cook thanked all previous donors and everyone who made the event possible, adding: “It was a big challenge, we had to work very hard to overcome it, but it was worth it!”

“Everyone who was there and supported or took part kept morale high, brought new energy and pushed the tired boys until the end!”