After a 4-week winter break, Lincoln return to NEMLA in 2015 feeling confident against a travelling Ruthin, who are also beneath the home team in the Premier 3 table. Lincoln field a strong team including a returning Will Monnery at LSM, and new addition Matthew Clarke in the midfield. With 6 short-stick midfielders available on the day, Lincoln are able to run two midfield lines for the first time ever, enabling them to conserve energy and gel as separate offensive trios throughout the game.

Lincoln

G - Jon Stamper
D - Ant Burnell, Sam Deakin, Toby James
LSM - Will Monnery
M - Aiden Jakubik, Jake Stenhouse, Michael Barker, Martin Sherwin, Christopher Ng, Matthew Clarke
A - Dan Jones (c), Sam Cave, Lucas Mullery

Lincoln start the game positively, with captain Dan Jones setting the tone by scoring from an "in-bound" set-play from behind the goal. This was followed by Jake Stenhouse finding the net after a trademark downhill drive, and Sam Cave both literally and metaphorically mirroring him by scoring with a drive from behind. Despite strong play at the X, and having the Lion's share of possession, Ruthin are unable to capitalise due to patient defence by Lincoln, and quintessentially robust goaltending from Stamper. A clean sheet for Lincoln, and the first quarter ends 3-0.

Ruthin score imminently in the second quarter from a face-off fast break, but Aiden Jakubik answers back with a face-off win and a goal of his own. Dan Jones and Jake Stenhouse both add a second to their tallies, ousting any chance of a Ruthin comeback. Lincoln are unstoppable on the clear today, and Michael Barker running downhill and downwind manages to split a double-team at halfway, creating a fast break and teeing up a ruthless and poised Sam Cave, who throws endless fakes before netting. Despite creating more offence in the second, Ruthin are only able to claw back one more tally, and the last goal of the half is scored by Martin Sherwin with a long range effort. 8-2 Lincoln.

Lincoln begin the second half with continued dominance. In an unsettled opportunity, Sam Cave is able to cleverly flick the ball out of crease traffic to Dan Jones, who is able to quickly find an empty Ruthin goal. The big-little attack duo continue elude Ruthin with their two-man game behind the goal, which creates numerous opportunities, especially with a lurking Lucas Mullery on the crease. However, the next scorer is the hard-working midfielder Christopher Ng, with his first goal in yellow, who catches the ball with time and room on the crease and buries his chance. Ruthin score with a surprising shot from distance, but Lincoln dominate the rest of the third quarter, riding hard, winning every loose ball and all their poles (Ant Burnell, Toby James, Will Monnery and Sam Deakin) willing to clear the ball. An unsettled opportunity leads to a goal through lightning-quick passing, Matthew Clarke eventually finding Sam Cave for a quick-stick finish. Then, with the ball settled in possession, Dan Jones silently finds Aiden Jakubik on the crease who scores from nowhere. Lincoln are beginning to make it look easy and the scoreline complies: 12-3 Lincoln.

The fourth quarter is more of the same from the boys in yellow. Michael Barker contributes at the face-off, and the first midfield continues to produce with Aiden Jakubik assisting Jake Stenhouse who completes his hat-trick. Lincoln are now oozing with confidence and this begins to show, Lucas Mullery plays quarterback with a pin-point feed to Dan Jones who finishes behind-the-back. Having been unfazed on the clear all game, tender Jon Stamper seizes his opportunity to go coast-to-coast, clearing the ball and is on the cusp of scoring before facing a Ruthin triple-team. Following a token Ruthin goal, Lincoln find themselves with two minutes left in the game and the ball in their sticks. The Yellowbellies provide a fitting conclusion to the game with a composed and patient possession resulting in a typically-hard shot from Aiden Jakubik finding the net.

The game ends 15-4 with Lincoln providing a superb all-round performance including a patient defence and balanced, multidimensional offence (7 goals from the attack and 8 goals from the midfield).