— Jack Teague contributed with this report.
Nottingham Outlaws overcame the Lincoln Colonials 25-7 to continue their winning start to the season.
The game was tighter than the three score difference in the score line showed, as Lincoln managed to worry a very strong and well drilled unit on both sides of the ball.
Lincoln started well having received the ball from the opening kick-off. Sam Hunt sparked the game into life with a superb run but Lincoln failed to capitalise— a fourth down pass attempt flying desperately through the hands of Tom Bray.
Nottingham then showed why they may well make the play-offs this season, scoring twice in the first half to take a half time lead of 13-0. A run down the middle resulted in Nottingham’s first touchdown before blown coverage outside allowed a deep pass to be completed for a 30 yard score.
After the break Lincoln came out firing and put up their first score of the game. A strong run from running back Parvaaz Ahmed put the Colonials in touching distance of the end zone, and then a perfect floated pass from quarterback Simon Wilkinson found a diving Tom Bray who hauled in a superb catch with his feet just in bounds.
Dan Youngs kicked through the extra point to bring the Colonials within six points of the Outlaws but a muffed punt and then a debatable penalty call handed Nottingham two safeties, extending their lead to 17-7.
The knockout punch was delivered in the fourth quarter as Nottingham managed to breakthrough for their third touchdown of the game. A successful two point conversion attempt made it 25-7 and that was the way it stayed until the end of the game.
Coach Alex Robson told his players that he was proud of the way they had played against a team with experience, power and skill. Despite the result Lincoln will take plenty of positives from the game and now have an extra week gap to prepare for the trip to Hull on November 28.