Both rugby teams claim victories

The wins were a great way to thank the Gainsborough Sporting Club and Lincolnshire Co-op who have both awarded grants to the floodlight scheme that is enhancing the training of the club.

Generally the club is improving season upon season.

It is eight years since it put out two teams on a regular basis but with the improvement in training resources and the support of those mentioned above as well as Gelders who provided the storage facilities, Gainsborough are competing with other teams in the area and attracting quality players.

The All Blacks play in the Lincs Merit League and the next step up for the club in terms of competition is to apply to the Midlands League competitions secretary as well as receiving the blessing of Notts, Lincs and Derby RFU, .

Gainsborough have a committee meeting tonight (Thursday) when a decision will be made on whether or not to go forward into the Midlands League system.

Many things need to be taken into consideration, not least of which is that the last time the club was in the league it was almost brought to its knees in trying to comply with very stringent rules and financial costs of falling foul of these.

The All Blacks travelled the short distance to Scunthorpe to play their sixth side and led 14–0 at half-time thanks to tries from Vernon Goude and Nathan Harmer Bates.

Russell came on for Goude at half-time and Ronan came on into the back row, scoring two tries.

Hamer Bates got two more and Dave Gill crashed over. Shaun Parker converted five.

The All Blacks conceded a try near the end, the first time their try line has been crossed in the last three weeks.

Man of the Match was Elliot Humphries.

The Maoris travelled to Retford and won by 45-20 and, although the first half was a keenly fought affair, the stamina and fitness of the Gainsborough players proved to be too much.

There were tries from Shirley, Woody (2), Bond (2), Shaun Simpson and Ross Duncan.

Mark Goude scored eight points converting the tries.

Bond was Man of the Match but this was an all round team effort, led by Nathan Mitchell.

On Saturday the All Blacks are away to Horncastle in the County Cup – a real test against tough opposition.