14 September 2009 'Ag Match' hopes now focus on 2010

Maybe "Richie" would have made the difference - Richie McCaw, that is! But the former Lincoln University agricultural science student and Rugby Scholar had duties elsewhere!

Nevertheless, Lincoln University did have a Richie in its rugby team when it played Massey University in the annual "Ag Match" on Saturday 12 September, on the campus No. 1
ground. 

Despite a home turf advantage and spirited support from fellow students and university alumni, Lincoln University lost to the northern visitors 20-11 and for the second year in a
row failed to lift the LA Brooks Trophy and Mog Shield.

The "Ag Match", as it's billed, is an annual rugby clash between the two universities dating back to 1929. In the modern era it's been dominated by Lincoln until this season and 2008.

Massey's tally of three tries to one tells the story of the game. Slick combinations in its backline, domination of the lineouts, plus two lucky intercepts leading to tries, gave the Massey lads an edge which the Lincoln students couldn't equal despite scrummaging superiority and forward drives which gave them a handy whack of territorial advantage.

"Massey scored on our mistakes," said Lincoln's coach, graduate, and former All Black Dave Hewett, "but we'll be back next year, so watch out!"