Gainsborough’s 1st XV completed a league and cup treble after coming from behind to beat Nottingham Moderns 28-27 in a dramatic NLD Plate Final.
Going into the game Gainsborough were 21 games unbeaten after winning Midlands Four East (North) last season to gain promotion, as well as being crowned Lincolnshire Intermediate Cup champions.
The NLD Plate Final had been delayed until August, but that didn’t stop Gainsborough from ending the 2021/22 campaign on a high ahead of the start of the new season away against Grimsby on September 3.
They didn’t have it all their own way against Nottingham Moderns though, who started strongly with two converted tries and a penalty, leaving Gainsborough trailing 15-0 in the early stages.
Gainsborough reduced the deficit when Jordy Holden ran onto his own kick to score a try, which Brad Beresford converted. However, Moderns soon added another try to extend their lead to 22-7 going in at the break.
Moderns moved 20 points in front with another try early in the second half, but Gainsborough refused to give up hope and mounted a comeback in the final.
Daniel Chadwick powered over for a try, which Brad Beresford converted before the latter also crossed for a five-pointer. Beresford received the ball from the base of scrum and ran from halfway to a score a try, which he also converted.
With the last big attack of the game, vice captain Ben Watson shipped the ball out to captain Jordan Beresford. The skipper then tipped the ball on for full-back Kieron Smythe to score in the corner.
Jordan’s brother Brad Beresford showed nerves of steel as he coolly slotted over the conversion to give Gainsborough the trophy by the narrowest of margins.
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