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Saturday, Jan 19, 2008
NEWARK Rugby Club endured a difficult weekend where the only team to beat the River Trent flood was the first team who produced a poor performance in losing 25-0 at Derby.
The flood last week prevented any games being staged at Kelham Road but the match at Derby went ahead after a Saturday morning inspection.
Newark now hope to get their Midlands Two East promotion challenge back on track tomorrow (Sat), at home to Paviors, provided the water relents.
A weekend of unpredictable results left Hinckley at the top for the first time this season in a group of four clubs split by two points. The lack of a proper training session contributed to Newark’s problems at Derby plus a rejigged line up after injuries ruled out captain Danny Coen at scrum-half and centre Paul Cook.
A reshuffled team included Matt Clark at scrum-half and a new recruit from Nottingham in wing James Wheeler. The loss of Cook brought a switch from outside-half to centre for Michael Dobson with the No 10 spot going to James Connolly.
A selection decision brought a start for Mark Miller, who had scored four tries the previous week, at full-back ahead of Richard Byrom who was a second-half substitute.
Clark’s lively play earned him the man-of-the-match award while a break by Wheeler in the first half provided Newark’s best chance of a try.
Newark despite conceding an early penalty goal played some good rugby in the first half but failed to take their chances. The turning point came just before the break when Derby stole possession in their 22 to engineer a try from long distance.
It meant Newark turned round 10-0 down and some poor play at the start of the second half helped Derby to seal the match through two more tries and a penalty goal.
Apart from a good spell in the first half, Newark never produced the consistent play that has seen the team enjoy such a fruitful season where for the first time in three years they will be spared an end-of-season fret over the possibility of relegation.
Saturday, Jan 5, 2007
AN injury-time penalty goal from captain Danny Coen ensured Newark Rugby Club started the first league game of 20
08 in the winning ways of the old year.
Newark looked set for a comfortable win at Old Northamptonians only to allow a 16-3 lead to crumble into a one-point deficit as this Midlands Two East encounter entered stoppage time.
Coen, who had previously kicked three penalty goals and converted a try by wing Mark Miller, had already seen one late attempt slip by the posts when Newark gained another attempt to snatch victory.
This time the scrum-half landed the testing kick from the right-hand side of the 22-metre line to give Newark a 19-17 victory to keep the pressure on leaders Syston who lost at home to Paviors, 11-0.
Newark’s victory – their 11th of the campaign – leaves them second on points difference behind Syston. The top two are then being chased by Kettering and Hinckley.
A number of changes had not helped Newark in the build up to the opening game of 2008. Martin Brummitt, the wing, cried off on Friday evening due to the birth of a daughter, while an ankle injury ruled out hooker Ben Spokes and lock Graham Cheneweth was unavailable.
The reshuffle forced prop Shaun May to partner Jon Evans at lock and for JJ Connolly to fill the gap left by Brummitt. Newark started slowly and needed the first of Coen’s two penalty goals to lead 6-3 at half-time.
Newark had also failed to take their opportunities in the opening half, particularly when flanker Matt Brewer burst clear alongside full-back Richard Byrom.
Newark played their most controlled rugby at the start of the second half. After Coen had landed his third penalty, some enterprising play on the left by Connolly and centre Paul Cook turned some loose possession into a try for Miller.
Miller sprinted on to Cook’s cross field kick to give Newark’s their only try of the match which Coen converted. That left the Northampton team 16-3 down but two excellent individual tries turned the match on its head and left the visitors needing that late penalty goal to save embarrassment.
Despite the sluggishness, there were some good performances. Centres Cook and Ed Collishaw were strong in defence while Evans, left on his own as a line-out jumper in the absence of Cheneweth, was a constant source of possession.
Newark now take a break from league rugby to play at Moderns tomorrow (Jan 12) in the quarter-finals of the Notts, Lincs & Derbys Cup, kick off 2pm. The winners are scheduled to host Mansfield in the semi-finals later in the season.
League action returns the following week when Newark travel to Derby. The first home game of the year comes on Jan 26 when Paviors visit Kelham Road.
Old Northamptonians 2nds 42 Newark 2nds 17
A slow start cost Newark 2nds at Old Northamptonians where the hosts scored two tries in the first 10 minutes. That handed the advantage for the rest of a club fixture that brought two tries from wing Johnny Statham and one from centre Will Naylor.
Statham raced in for his first try in the opening quarter before Naylor contributed an excellent individual effort where he broke three tackles to touchdown for Newark’s second.
Newark turned round 19-12 down and ran out of steam after they failed to convert pressure into points at the start of the second half. Statham scored his second try towards the end. Scrum-half Matt Clark added one conversion.
Market Rasen 2nds 29 Newark 3rds 34
NEWARK 3rds needed to rely on their forwards at Market Rasen to preserve their unbeaten record for the season. The home backs had the led way in the first half after an opening try from flanker Tom Holmes.
Tries by wings Paul Ward and Neil Johnson kept Newark in touch until a second-half penalty try gave Newark the advantage. That was converted by centre Dan Harrison whose late penalty goal pushed his team further ahead.
Harrison had also kicked three conversions and an earlier penalty to main his team’s run of 17 matches unbeaten.
Saturday, Dec 22, 2007
NEWARK Rugby Club’s first and second team squads had a weekend off but the undefeated third XV continued their winning run at Melbourne in a Pennant fixture.
A 17-7 victory took the sequence to 17 this season in a hard-fought match. The individual honours went to the back row of Tom Holmes, Daley Edwards and Dan Skelton who competed well against some powerful opponents.
Newark scored two tries in the first half through lock Phil Howes and centre Bryan Loftus. The other centre James McKwen grabbed the third after the interval. Captain Dan Harrison kicked one conversion.
A touch of Christmas spirit was served up at Kelham Road where Newark 4ths hosted their counterparts from Mansfield. Charlie Fehrs, the club’s former president and life member, supplied mince pies and sherry at half-time though the visitors left fully satisfied having won 17-7. The home points came from centre Tom Lee who converted his first-half try.
Newark Colts had a disappointing trip to Hinckley for a first-round tie in plate competition of the National Cup. Despite scoring first through wing Angus Spencer, they lost 17-12.
The second try came from substitute wing Tom Webb for a team bolstered by two under-17s in outside-half Mark Byrom and prop Darren Gray. Centre David Fagan added one conversion.
Newark ’s first team are back in action on Saturday week when they visit Old Northamptonians in a Midlands Two East game.
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007
Newark 16 Syston 7
NEWARK Rugby Club performed a remarkable turnaround by defeating league leaders Syston,
16-7, on Saturday after losing the first game between the teams 55-15 last month.
A big Kelham Road crowd roared on Danny Coen’s team to a victory that leaves them only two points behind Syston at the top of Midlands Two East. The competition resumes after the Christmas break when Newark travel to Old Northamptonians on Saturday, Jan 5.
Newark proved the stronger in the second half after the opening 40 minutes ended in Syston leading 7-6 thanks to an early try against two penalty goals from scrum-half Coen.
Once more Newark’s pack provided the winning edge by wearing down the visitors in the final stages. The pressure paid off and after a series of scrums referee Trevor Sharp awarded a penalty try which Coen converted.
A final penalty goal from Coen put his team nine points in the clear against a team who scored nine tries in the first game. This time Newark closed down their danger men especially full-back Warren Coles.
For Newark, the win completes a marvellous first four months of the season. After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, a mixture of some new players plus better attendance at training has brought some very consistent results.
Bob Fowkes, the club coach, said: “Everyone has worked very hard. On Saturday we just wore them down. The pack has been tremendous and the midfield defence has become much tighter.”
Newark owe a lot to their group of ‘oldies’ in props Ben Vidler and Mickey Barker with Richard Byrom controlling affairs at full-back.
The pack has been strengthened by the return of Matt Brewer, a former colt, alongside two fellow Nottingham players in the versatile Ben Spokes and second row Graham Cheneweth,
Fowkes also reported that wing Mark Miller, who needed hospital treatment afterwards for an eye injury, was recovering after coming off midway through the first half.
Newark first team, who have no game tomorrow (sat), will be in action on Boxing Day in the annual President’s Match, the kick off is at noon at Kelham Road.
Frost caused Newark 2nds’ proposed game at Derby to be cancelled last Saturday.
Newark 3rds 54 Derby XV 14
SOME excellent running maintained Newark third team’s unbeaten record this season. The backs scored all eight tries after the Derby visitors had started much the stronger.
Substitute Chris Blood set up one of the best scores when taking a quick tap penalty to end in one of two tries for Bryan Loftus after a break by captain Dan Harrison.
Harrison contributed three tries of his own and kicked seven conversions while the other touchdowns came from Neil Johnson, James McKwen and Steve Hodges.
Notts Casuals 2nds 46 Newark 4ths 7
Newark 4ths endured a difficult trip to Notts Casuals where the home team’s second team proved too strong especially in the first half when they ran up a 31-0 lead.
Good tackling by scrum-half Dan Cudlip and wing Richard Nichols, playing his first game, kept the score down. In the second half, Newark did better and gained their only try through flanker Paddy Robinson after a quick throw by Richard Bunn. Centre Ben Combes kicked the difficult conversion.
Newark Colts 8 Paviors Colts 5
An individual try by scrum-half James Sizer was the highlight of Newark Colts’ triumph over county rivals Paviors. His breakaway touchdown came after he pounced on a loose ball in midfield to dart away. David Fagan added a first-half penalty which kept Paviors at bay despite their second-half try. The Colts are scheduled to play at Hinckley tomorrow (sat) in the first round of the National Colts Plate.
Saturday, Dec 8, 2007
EDF Energy Intermediate Cup – 3 rd rd
Bedford Athletic 38 Newark 0
EDF ENERGY INTERMEDIATE CUP – 3rd rd, Midlands section: Ampthill 5, Loughborough Stus 3-Bedford Ath 38, Newark 0-Luctonians 64, Derby 0-Syston 3, Newport (Salop) 10. North section: Birkenhead v Cleckheaton post-Chester 15, Broughton Pk 6-Middlesbrough 34, Aspatria 0-Stockport 39, Carlisle 0.
Team: Byrom; Miller, Collishaw, Cook, Connolly; Dobson, Brummitt; May, Spokes, Barker, Cheneweth, Evans, Tau’a L Cove (capt), Claydon.
Subs: Brewer for Tau’a, Staines for Claydon, Galinski for Byrom, Vidler for Barker.
NEWARK Rugby Club take on Syston tomorrow (sat) aiming to avenge the Leicestershire team who won the first match between the clubs, 55-15, in November.
Syston have now taken a four-point advantage at the top of Midlands Two East, but Bob Fowkes, the Newark coach, believes his team are capable of a much better effort at Kelham Road (kick off 2.15pm).
Both teams warmed up for the clash by losing in the third round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup last Saturday in vastly differing styles. While Syston lost narrowly at home to Newport Salop 10-3, Newark failed to score a point in a 38-0 defeat at Bedford Athletic.
“We never really got going at Bedford and cannot afford to do the same to Syston,” reported Fowkes. “We let ourselves down in the first game and I know the squad are determined to put on a better show for the home spectators.”
Newark expect captain Danny Coen to be back on duty after missing out on the Cup trip. His place at scrum-half went to the versatile Martin Brummitt which gave JJ Connolly an opportunity on the wing.
The cup trip also gave Fowkes a chance to give a revamped front row a chance by fielding Shaun May, against his old club, at loose head with Mickey Barker moved to tight head.
Newark defended well for periods in a first half where two tackles by Brummitt and centre Paul Cook stood out. However, the Bedford team thrived on the pressure created and were 19-0 up by the break, having scored three tries two of which were converted.
There were no complaints from the visiting team about the first two scores but had good reason to question a dubious third score when the home centre looked to have grounded the ball short.
Newark needed an early try in the second half to get themselves back in the game, but despite a good spell they well short twice when lock Graham Chenoweth and hooker Ben Spokes were held up.
Bedford from then on took control and scored three more tries in the last quarter where Newark introduced Nick Galinski, the ex-colt, on the wing for a further opportunity in the 1st XV.
Notts Pennant
Mansfield 2nds 10 Newark 2nds 33
Tries: M Cove (2), Waqalevu (2). Kicks: M Clark 2c, 3p.
TWO flankers turned centres in Gareth Bartsch and Jon Webster were among the prime players in Newark 2nd XV’s handsome win at Mansfield.
The duo provided the midfield ballast that allowed Newark to dominate this Notts Pennant match. Despite going 7-0 down, the visitors gradually took over helped by two tries each from Matt Cove and Buddha Waqalevu.
Matt Clark, part of an effect partnership at halfback alongside Jasper Nissim, kicked three penalty goals and two conversions.
Friendly
Meden Vale 14 33 Newark 3rds
Tries: Johnson, Loftus, Edwards (2), Harrison. Kicks: Harrison 4c.
A good first half took Newark 3rds to another big win, this time at Meden Vale. Wing Neil Johnson and centre Bryan Loftus raced in early on to give the visitors the edge.
Daley Edwards, the former colt who has tasted first team action, showed he is coming back into form by collecting two tries while captain Dan Harrison grabbed a try and four conversions.
Notts Pennant
Newark 4ths 13 Univ of Derby 22
Tries: Coy, Booth. Kick: Lee 1p.
TRIES by flanker Ben Coy and lock Sam Booth were the highlights of Newark 4ths’ defeat to Derby University in the Kelham Road mud. Tom Lee added a penalty.
Saturday, Dec 1, 2007
Midlands Two East
Banbury 7 Newark 48
NEWARK Rugby Club produced an excellent first-half performance that settled their latest match in Midlands Two East at blustery Banbury on Saturday.
Newark led 38-0 at the interval having taken full advantage of using the strong wind first to rattle the home team. The victory keeps Danny Coen’s team in second place four points behind leaders Syston who visit Kelham Road on Saturday week.
Before the top-of-the-table clash, Newark travel tomorrow (Sat Dec 8) to Bedford Athletic in the third round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup, kick off 2pm.
The individual highlight of the win over Banbury was a second-half try for lock Jon Evans. Regular Newark watchers described it as one of the best by a club player in many seasons.
“It was a beauty,” Bob Fowkes, the club coach, said. “Just about every player handled in a move that started in our own half. It was a joy to watch.”
Fowkes handed the man-of-the-match accolade to Mark Miller, one of the club’s most versatile players. He took over on the wing after Aloesi Waqalevu had pulled out on the eve of the match.
Miller, who joined from Nottingham three seasons ago, started out as a prop, but since then has played senior rugby in four different positions. He was among the first-half try scorers when Newark played their best rugby.
Matt Brewer, who started at No 8, contributed a hat trick of tries in another excellent individual display. Other scorers were flanker Lewis Cove, centre Paul Cook and hooker Ben Spokes. Captain Coen added three conversions.
Friendly
Ollerton 10 Newark 2nds 59
Newark 2nds accepted a fixture at Ollerton after the scheduled match against Nottingham Law School was cancelled. Back row Jon Webster led the visiting pack by scoring two of the nine tries.
Other scorers were captain Alex Jackson, Matt Cove, Andy Fagan, Cameron Mackinnon, Jason Phillips, Andy Hill and Ben McCarthy. Matt Clark kicked six conversions and one came from Hill.
Pennant
Newark 3rds 28 Mellish 2nds 15
A fine individual try by Daley Edwards capped Newark 3rd XV’s victory over Mellish 2nds at the top of the Pennant table.
Newark maintained their 100 per cent record of 14 victories thanks to Edwards’ late score where he touched down despite four opponents trying to drag him down.
The touchdown put Newark in the clear which captain Danny Harrison, who had earlier scored two tries, improved by adding a late penalty goal.
Mellish had turned round 8-3 up but the home team proved too strong after the interval through a try by full-back Sam Sibilski and two from Harrison who contributed 18 points in all.
Ripley Rhinos 12 Newark 4ths 10
A poor performance in the first half cost Newark 4ths at Ripley. They turned round 12-0 down and though they ‘won’ the second half, 10-0, they ended up narrow losers in this Pennant match.
Flanker Dan French grabbed one try alongside a score from full-back Craig Ellis. The match also marked the return of former club captain Nick Codd at lock.
Ends
Saturday, Nov 24, 2007
Newark 18 Matlock 9
THE old and new helped Newark Rugby Club reclaim second place in Midlands Two East through a 18-9 win over Matlock at Kelham Road.
Two loyal servants in Richard Byrom and Martin Brummitt struck for tries in between a score by Matt Brewer, the former colt, enjoying his first season in the senior squad since returning from Nottingham.
Byrom, whose belief and determination continues to surprise now well into his forties, finished off a three-quarter move in the first half where Newark faced up to the conditions and still turned round 8-6 up.
Bob Fowkes, the Newark coach, said: “Richard did all the hard work in facing the wind, but he took a knock in touching down for his try and had to be replaced at half-time by JJ Connolly.”
Newark took control after the interval when they used the wind to keep Matlock pinned into their half. Brewer extended the margin when he emerged from a driving maul as the scorer following good forward pressure.
Brummitt, now into this 12th season of 1st XV rugby, had the final word when some excellent inter-play between forwards and backs ended in the wing touching down.
“It was another pretty good performance and the good thing was that Matlock never looked like scoring. We played ‘one end’ rugby in the second half,” Fowkes reported.
The win for Newark lifts them into second place, four points behind leaders Syston. Kettering drop to third place after losing to Hinckley.
A measure of Newark’s improvement this autumn is measured by the fact that Matlock won both games between the teams last season, 21-10 and 15-13.
Newark now have two games on the road, starting in the league at Banbury tomorrow (sat Dec 1) kick off, 2.30pm. The second match comes at Bedford Athletic on Saturday week in the third round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.
Matlock 2nds 24 Newark 2nds 34
GARETH Bartsch, moved from flanker to centre, showed his versatility in a Pennant win at Matlock where captain Alex Jackson grabbed the first of eight tries his team scored.
Newark led 22-10 at half-time after Jackson had finished off a push over try followed by scores from hooker Ian Tomlinson and two by wing Alex Statham.
Matlock narrowed the deficit after the interval but Newark finished on top through two more tries by centre Nick Galinski and flanker Jon Webster. Scrum-half Matt Clark kicked two conversions.
Newark 3rds 48 Matlock 3rds 0
ANOTHER big win for Newark 3rds brought up the 500 points for the season in only the 13th match since September. Five of the eight tries came from forwards in two each for Craig Johnson and Daley Edwards and one by prop Will Orrey. The other scores came from full-back Sam Sibilski (2) and wing Mickey Knapton. Captain Dan Harrison kicked four conversions.
East Leake 2nds 0 Newark 4ths 34
NEWARK fielded a front row trio all under 21 in a good team performance at East Leake. Sam Hutchinson, Gareth Williams and Dan Cupit provided the backbone to a win by six tries to nil.
Centre Chris Wildgust (correct!) grabbed two tries with one each from his fellow midfielder Tom Lee, wing Danny White, full-back Craig Ellis and lock Sam Booth. Lee and Wildgust also kicked a conversion each.
Saturday, Nov 17, 2007
Newark 22 South Leicester 20
NEWARK Rugby Club underwent a major reshuffle before the EDF Intermediate Cup tie against South Leicester, but still emerged winners at Kelham Road, 22-20 to book a third-round place.
Plans of coach Bob Fowkes were thoroughly disrupted by three players dropping out before the game due to niggling injures which brought late call ups for wing Alex Statham while centre Martyn Dobson and flanker Gareth Bartsch came onto the subs bench.
Newark then weathered some dominant play from South Leicester, who play a league higher in Midlands One, to turn round only 13-8 down, lock Mark Staines having scored an excellent try alongside a penalty goal from Danny Coen.
South Leicester led for most of the second half but were eventually worn down by Newark’s forward play which brought two tries for hooker Matt Cove and ex-captain Charlie Claydon. Coen converted both scores, including a difficult attempt to put his side ahead at 22-20.
Claydon was playing his first full game since overcoming a heel injury that has curtailed his season. He was joined in the back row by Chris Coen, the No 8, who played 40 minutes in his first action for the 1st XV this season.
Fowkes said: “It was a good effort by everyone. We had problems before the start in sorting the team out, but we overcame them. It was good to see Chris and Charlie back in action. They give us strength in depth and make selection tricky for the next games coming up.”
Newark return to league action tomorrow (Sat, Nov 24) when they host Matlock in Midlands Two East. Fowkes’ men are currently in third place, four points behind leaders Syston.
Newark 2nds 52 Moderns 2nds 19
A storming second-half display brought Newark a comprehensive victory over Moderns in a Notts Pennant match after the teams were level 19-19 at half-time.
Newark scored 33 points after the break through five tries topped off by a solo effort from outside-half Jasper Nissim. Earlier touchdowns had come from prop Duncan Coote, captain Alex Jackson, wing Johnny Statham and centre Jock MacKinnon.
The avalanches of points had come after a first half where centre Ben Walker had scored twice alongside one from wing Tom Hill. Walker also added four conversions and two came from scrum-half Matt Clark.
Moderns 3rds 17 Newark 3rds 81
CENTRE Jim McKewen made a successful comeback by scoring two tries for the unbeaten Newark 3rd XV.
McKewen touched down twice in the second half after replacing Byran Loftus. The Newark team dominated play from the beginning and had two tries from centre Steve Hodges on the scoreboard after five minutes.
Two back row forwards, Mat Pitcher and Darren Gourley, also scored tries and there was one each for Craig Johnson, Dan Skelton, Simon Wing, Loftus and Dan Harrison who also slotted eight conversions.
West Bridgford Vets 12 Newark 4ths 19
Two tries from wing Paul Randall brought Newark victory at West Bridgford. He struck twice in the second half to decide a match which had been locked 7-7 at half-time. Scrum-half Tom Lee grabbed a first-half try while Chris Blood converted both tries after the interval.
Saturday, Nov 10, 2007
Syston 55 Newark 15
NEWARK Rugby Club suffered a big jolt on Saturday when losing heavily to Syston, the leaders of Midlands Two East, despite scoring first in a 15-55 defeat.
Syston scored nine tries in a victory that puts them four points clear at the top ahead of Kettering and Newark who have slipped to third position.
Newark led after the opening exchanges ended in prop Shaun May driving over after some sustained attacking play. Captain Danny Coen added the conversion to give hope that the leaders could be turned over.
However, Syston quickly fought back and a grabbed their first try before a Coen penalty put Newark ahead again at 10-7. From then on, though, the Leicestershire club dominated and played the windy conditions far better than the visitors.
Newark were not helped by injuries to two of their prominent forwards this season in flanker Matt Brewer and hooker Ben Spokes. Both went off in the second half nursing ankle and rib problems.
Syston led 24-10 at half-time and made the game safe through an excellent period of attacking rugby at the start of the second half. The only consolation for Newark was a late score for substitute wing Andy Hill.
Bob Fowkes, Newark’s head coach, now has the task of lifting morale for back-to-back home games starting tomorrow (Sat, Nov 17) against South Leicester, in the second round of the EDF Intermediate Cup, and then against Matlock, in a league fixture on Saturday week. Both games kick off at 3pm.
Fowkes said: “Everyone was very disappointed, but Syston were a very strong side and have not lost in the league for more than a season now. We just have to keep working and not let one bad day affect us.”
He intends to use the Cup match to give opportunities to players waiting on the sidelines during recent weeks. Among those scheduled for a run are two experienced forwards in ex-captain Charlie Claydon and Chris Coen.
Newark Colts are also involved in cup action tomorrow (sat). They travel to Market Bosworth for a second-round match in the National Colts Cup, kick off 2.15pm.
Newark 2nds had a frustrating afternoon at Kelham Road last Saturday. Alex Jackson’s team were virtually changed and ready to play when it was discovered that Ilkeston had cried off the scheduled Pennant match.
West Bridgford 2nds 19 Newark 3rds 48
AN early try from scrum-half Simon Wing put Newark 3rd XV on the way to another a good victory in an unbeaten season so far. Full-back Sam Sibilski capped a fine display by scoring a try along with two each from backs Bryan Loftus and Dan Harrison. Other scorers were lock Craig Johnson and back row Matt Pitcher with Harrison adding four conversions.
Newark 4ths 20 Ollerton 2nds 9
GOOD defence in the second half helped Newark 4ths to keep Ollerton 2nds in check at Kelham Road. The visitors led 6-0 early on but by the interval tries from halfbacks Chris Blood and Tom Lee had turned the contest in favour of the home side.
Blood, who had converted both tries, added two penalty goals in the second half to complete a win in the Pennant competition.
Saturday, Nov 3, 2007
Newark 27 Old Northamptonians 21
AN excellent second-half recovery brought Newark victory over Old Northamptonians at Kelham Road to set up tomorrow’s trip (Sat, Nov 10) to Syston, the undefeated leaders of Midlands Two East.
Newark gained second place, two points behind Syston, thanks to a methodical comeback after Old Northamptonians had led 14-3 at the interval and then 21-10 early in the second half.
The deficit was overturned through some dominant play from the pack where Ben Spokes, the versatile forward, grabbed two tries in final quarter to continue a prolific debut season contributing six tries so far, to be the top scorer.
Newark’s strong finish made up for a slow start in which Danny Coen’s team looked surprised at the cussed opposition from the Northampton team who took their chances in the first half to score two tries.
A penalty from Coen, who had a 100 per cent return from five kicks, was Newark’s only reward in the first 40 minutes, but a splendid try straight after the break from centre Paul Cook looked to have turned the match.
Coen converted the try to put Newark back in the game at 14-10 but the home side immediately conceded a scrum in the 22 and some sleepy defence helped Old Northamptonians to record a third try.
In previous seasons Newark may well have folded at the concession of such a simple score, but the team showed their growing confidence in the final 25 minutes where they overcame that 21-10 deficit.
Both tries were credited to the bustling Spokes after strong forward play while Martin Brummitt was stopped inches short from another attack.
Newark 2nds 15 Old Northamptonians 16
The return of Chris Coen, the first team back row after a long injury lay off, helped Newark 2nds to stage a strong comeback after conceding a 13-0 lead to Old Northamptonians.
Coen appeared as a substitute in a second half where Newark scored three tries to grab a 15-13 lead before a late penalty gave the advantage back to the visitors.
Tries for Newark came from Ed Slater, a newcomer at lock, wing Jason Phillips and full-back Chris Roberts.
Newark 3rds 41 Derby 4ths 5
Tries: N Johnson, J Statham (2), Loftus (2), Orrey, Harrison. Kicks: Harrison 3 cons.
Newark 3rd 41 Derby 4ths 5
NEWARK dominated this Pennant match to record a victory by seven tries to one. Some excellent running rugby was a score by wing Neil Johnson after a sweeping move led by Bryan Loftus and Steve Hodges.
Loftus went on to contribute two tries himself alongside two from wing Johnny Statham and one each for prop Will Orrey and captain Danny Harrison who also kicked three conversions.
Leesbrook 2nds 12 Newark 4ths 20
Tries: Bennett, Booth, Bunn. Kicks: Bennett 1 pen, Stan Hutchinson 1 con.
Newark 4ths overturned a half-time deficit of 12-8 to record an uplifting Pennant win at the Derbyshire club. Young and old contributed to the win with veteran Richard Bunn, who also coaches the under-17s team, gaining the final score. Colts Sam Hutchinson at prop and scrum-half Danny Cudlip had notable games.
Saturday, Oct 27, 2007
Newark 27 Derby 3
ANOTHER quick and confident start put Newark on the way to record their sixth success from seven games in Midlands Two East on Saturday.
A 27-3 win over Derby keeps Newark in third place two points behind leaders Syston who they meet on Saturday week (Nov 10) at the Leicestershire venue.
Newark led 17-3 at half-time against Derby having dominated the first half by playing some confident and composed rugby that impressed a good crowd at Kelham Road.
James Connolly scored the first three tries in the opening 40 minutes when the outside-half darted through the blindside after some good inter passing. Newark scored down the same channel twice more in the half through flanker Matt Brewer and his back row colleague Fitz Tuaa.
Danny Coen converted the third try to help Newark to a healthy lead, Derby having kicked a penalty midway through the half.
Newark had sufficient pressure and possession in the second half to have scored more than a fourth try from Brewer, his second try of the match. Captain Coen converted and finished the match by adding a penalty goal to complete a good win for his team.
A measure of Newark’s improvement this season is that the team felt a little disappointed at their performance. However, most members left Kelham Road delighted at the display over a team who have dominated games between the clubs over the last decade.
Newark won comfortably despite a number of late changes with lock Graham Chenoweth withdrawing on the morning due to illness. The unavailability of prop Shaun May also brought a front row reshuffle in Ben Spokes, who has played at No 8 and hooker this season, moving to loose head.
Newark host Old Northamptonians tomorrow, kick off 3pm, with the second teams starting at 2pm. The under-11s put on a curtain raiser at 2.30pm.
Scunthorpe 3rds 20 Newark 2nds 15
A slow start by Newark 2nds at Scunthorpe gave the initiative to the home side who scored a try and penalty goal to lead 8-0.
Newark had grabbed a try and penalty goal before half-time through full-back Chris Roberts but were still 17-8 behind. The visitors came back strongly after the interval and registered a second try through wing Tom Hill which was converted by his namesake Andy.
Southwell 2nds 21 Newark 3rds 26
TWO late tries brought Newark 3rds a good win away to Southwell 2nds. A performance of great character was topped off by an individual effort by Sam Sibilski and the full-back then helped make the winning score, alongside back row Daley Edwards, for wing Toby Edlin.
Southwell had built a seven-point lead midway into the second half after the match went to uncontested scrums because of front row injuries. Newark scored twice in the first half through lock Craig Johnson and captain Dan Harrison.
Harrison also converted one of the tries while Matt Clark, the scrum-half, chipped in by improving the last two scores.
Saturday, Oct 20, 2007
Paviors 0 Newark 30
Tries: Cook, May, Spokes. Kicks: Coen 3c, 3p.
Paviors 0 Newark 30
NEWARK pulled off one of their best wins in the last few seasons by defeating Nottinghamshire rivals Paviors 30-0 at Burntstump.
The display left captain Danny Coen praising his team. “Everyone played their part and we were on top from the first scrum. It was one of the team’s best displays in a very long time,” he said.
Victory keeps Newark in joint second place alongside Paviors in Midlands Two East where Syston have set the early pace, putting together an unbeaten run of six games.
Ben Spokes continued his impressive season by starting at hooker having been moved from the back row. He contributed a try alongside one each for fellow front rower Shaun May and centre Paul Cook, who was playing his first game of the season after finishing cricket commitments. Coen chipped in by converting all three tries and landing three penalty goals.
One of Newark’s success stories this season has been the versatility of Mark Miller. He first joined the Kelham Road club 18 months ago as a prop and has now featured at 1st XV level in four positions of flanker, centre, wing and full-back for the second time this season.
A whirlwind start by Newark brought a 23-0 lead at the break following the tries by Cook and May. Paviors enjoyed a significant period of pressure after the interval but the match was made safe when Spokes scored.
Newark 3rd XV 47 Boston 2nd XV 5
Tries: Loftus (3), Johnson, Wing, Harrison, Holmes (2), Knapton. Kicks: Harrison 1 con.
Newark had to put up some stout defence at the start of each half against Boston, but still ran out comfortable winners by nine tries to one.
Bryan Loftus broke the first period of pressure by scoring the first of his three tries in a match where the most spectacular was a 50-metre break by scrum-half Simon Wing.
The other tries came from Tom Holmes (2), Craig Johnson, Mick Knapton and Dan Harrison who also kicked a conversion.
Derby Colts 14 Newark Colts 20
A familiar name at Kelham Road helped the colts to a triumph over Derby in the second round of the National Cup for the age group.
Mark Byrom, son of Richard, the former club captain, took over at outside-half from the injured Harry Dunn to help guide the colts to a notable away success.
Byrom made the first try for David Fagan, the centre who enjoyed a prolific afternoon of 15 points. He also kicked two conversions, a penalty goal and a drop goal.
Dunn, who played a notable part in the club’s under-17s team last season, broke a collarbone in a schools tournament for Worksop. Newark’s other try at Derby came from Adam Dukes.
Newark 4ths 62 Skegness 0
Tries: Blood (4), Dinning, Bacelis, Wildgust (2), Ellis (2). Kicks: Witton 1c.
CHRIS Blood had a memorable afternoon running in four tries for the 4th XV in a big win over Skegness. He also kicked five conversions.
Centre Chris Wildgust and full-back Craig Ellis contributed two tries each while one each came from wing Paul Dinning and Renatas Bacelis plus
Saturday, Oct 13
Newark 20 Stratford 10
A late call up ended in a debut try for wing Nick Galinski as Newark Rugby Club recorded a 20-10 win over Stratford in the first round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.
Galinski started the match at Kelham Road after Alex Statham, the intended wing, dropped out after the warm up complaining of shin splints.
The change added to a much-changed Newark line up but an excellent first half ended in Newark leading 20-5, Galinski grabbing the fourth try after scores by three more familiar faces in backs Michael Dobson and Martin Brummitt plus one from lock Mark Staines.
Newark were led, in the absence of regular captain Danny Coen, by flanker Lewis Cove who gained the plaudits of Bob Fowkes, the Newark coach, for his efforts.
“Lewis is Mr 120 per cent and led from the front,” Fowkes reported. “We blew them away in the first half and then could not repeat the play in the second half when Stratford came back at us.”
Newark were also hit by injuries during the match and finished having to use flanker Johnny Webster at centre rather than in his usual position.
The victory continues a good start to the season by Newark of five wins in six competition games. The success puts the squad in good heart for tomorrow’s (sat) Midlands Two East match at Paviors, the joint unbeaten leaders alongside Syston.
Sleaford 2nds 15 Newark 2nds 29
A good start and finish brought Newark victory in a Pennant game at Sleaford. An early try from scrum-half Matt Clarke put Alex Jackson’s team on course to victory by four tries to three.
Clarke’s try was converted by full-back Ben Walker who later added a score of his own to give Newark a 17-10 lead at half-time.
Sleaford struck back in the second half to reduce the deficit to two points before late tries from Simon Glass and Ben Ennals kept Newark ahead.
Newark 3rds planned game was cancelled.
Scunthorpe 5ths 20 Newark 4ths 3
NEWARK took up the challenge of a strong Scunthorpe 5th team and deserved a much closer scoreline than the one recorded. Their only points was a first-half penalty from James Bennett.
Saturday, Oct 6, 2007
Newark 21 Hinckley 28
NEWARK sustained their first league defeat of the season when conceding Hinckley a 20 point start at Kelham Road in a match that eventually saw the Leicestershire visitors win 28-21.
The slow start cost Newark dear in the end, despite a tremendous second-half fightback that brought Danny Coen’s team a one point lead going into the final stages.
However, Hinckley had the final word when they grabbed a late score to stop Newark’s unbeaten run of four games in the first month of league action.
The Newark revival came from another strong scrummaging display by the home pack that gained a penalty try in a second half which for a period had passive scrums because of an injury and then a yellow card for Hinckley players.
Newark’s power in the scrum came from props Ben Vidler and new boy Shaun May, who was deputizing for the injured regular Mickey Barker, who sustained a rib injury in the previous week’s win at Ampthill.
Another front row regular Matt Cove grabbed one of Newark’s two other tries alongside another score for flanker Matt Brewer. Captain Coen weighed in with three conversions but all the hard efforts in the second half were scuppered by Hinckley’s late surge.
Newark now rest from league action for a week and host Stratford tomorrow (sat) in the first round of the Intermediate Cup.
Newark 2nds 54 Lincoln 2nds 18
Tries: Mark Staines (3), Alex Statham (2), Will Naylor, Jasper Nissim, Duncan Coote. Conversions: Chris Roberts (7).
Newark 2nds conceded two unconverted scores before a dominant performance from the pack started to turn matters around which saw the home team lead 19-18 at half-time.
Duncan Coote put in a man of the match performance excellent in both the tight and the loose and well deserved his try. The second half saw superior fitness and handling skills give Newark backs the chance to run at the gaps that began to appear.
Alex Statham contributed two tries and one each came from Will Naylor and Jasper Nissim. Another key figure was Mark Staines, who bossed the pack, to claim three tries. Chris Roberts kicked seven conversions.
Newark 3rds 69 Boston 2nds 14
DAN Harrison’s team proved too strong for Boston 2nds, who took up the fixture after Keyworth cried off.
Newark scored 11 tries and the first came after only two minutes when Bryan Loftus touched down for the first of his three.
The highlight of the first half was a try from centre Tristian Goff who scored in the corner after a good three-quarter move.
Newark controlled the game with a great scrum which gave the backs a great platform to work off. Other try scorers were wings backs Toby Edlin, Paul Ward and Johnny Statham, lock Jerry Dougan, scrum-half Simon Wing, flanker Matt Pitcher and Harrison who also added seven conversions.
Newark 3rds 69 Boston 2nds 14
Tries: Toby Edlin, Bryan Loftus (3), Tristian Goff, Jerry Dougan, Simon Wing, Paul Ward, Matt Pitcher, Johnny Statham, Dan Harrison and seven cons.
Keyworth 2nds 44 Newark 4ths 0
Newark ran into a much stronger Keyworth team than envisaged and ended up having a difficult afternoon in their latest Pennant game.
After an unsteady first half, Newark had a much better second period including good work from Dan Cudlipp on his debut after stepping up from the colts.
Ends
Saturday, Sept 29, 2007
Ampthill 24 Newark 30
NEWARK Rugby Club continued their winnings ways in Midlands Two East this season last Saturday by gaining a fourth successive win, this time at Ampthill in Bedfordshire.
The back row of Matt Brewer, Ben Spokes and Lewis Cove combined well to have a huge influence in a 30-24 win that keeps Newark unbeaten alongside Paviors and Syston.
Brewer, fit again after missing two weeks due to an ankle injury, collected two tries while Spokes, who has now scored in three successive games, notched another one.
The pair, who have both joined from Nottingham this season, were backed up by another good show from openside Cove, who has added line-out jumping to his repertoire this season.
Bob Fowkes, the Newark coach, said but for a lack of concentration towards the end his team would have won by a more comfortable margin. “We played very well for long periods, especially in the first half when we had the advantage of the slope. It was an all-round pleasing show and our discipline was excellent, too.”
Newark led 17-5 at the interval and took control further in the second half before Ampthill came back. To go alongside the tries by the back row pair, captain Danny Coen continued his excellent kicking form by slotting a further five penalty goals.
Fowkes was pleased to report that he was able to introduce a new player into the backline at Ampthill in outside-half J J Connolly, another recruit from Nottingham, who missed most of last season due to an ankle injury.
Connolly’s arrival allows Newark to strengthen the midfield by playing Michael Dobson at inside centre alongside Ed Collishaw. Newark have lost one potential regular centre until Christmas in Joe Cormack who has gone to study in France.
Newark host Hinckley tomorrow (sat) with Fowkes aiming for another intelligent display. “Everyone is working really well and we just have to keep taking it one game at a time.”
Notts Medics 12 Newark 2nds 11
A slow start cost Newark 2nds dear against the Medics who scored early to establish control in this Pennant match.
Newark would have conceded more tries but for two excellent late tackles by Andy Hill and Alex Statham.
Chris Roberts kicked two first-half penalty goals to keep Newark on the heels of the Medics who grabbed a further score before Statham raced in for his team’s only try.
Newark 3rds 35 Stamford 2nds 0
STAMFORD provided the opposition at Kelham Road after Grimsby cried off on Thursday. Dan Harrison’s team dominated to win by five tries to nil.
Centre Steve Hodges contributed three while one each came from Bryan Loftus and Craig Johnson. Harrison added five conversions.
Newark 4ths 17 Belper 2nds 17
Newark led three times only to be hauled back each time by Belper in a Pennant match. A try from Trev Waude, converted by Stan Hutchinson, brought the first advantage followed by score from prop Dan Cupit.
Newark led 12-7 at half-time, but Belper came back twice in between a third score by outhalf Chris Blood from an attack he started on halfway.
Colts
Newark U19 53 Matlock U19 0
AN untried backline grew in confidence as Newark Colts asserted authority over Matlock in a win that yielded nine tries for the winners.
Barney Bromley ran the line from outside-half with Ryan Burbidge and Jono Blood in midfield. James Robinson, the No 8, gained the first try from the back of a strong scrummage and grabbed a second later on.
Other try scorers were Burbidge, Thomas Webb, Fred Tatham, James Dyer and Ollie Bradley. Hooker Adam Dukes also contributed one plus four conversions.
Newark 30 Market Bosworth 28
NEWARK survived a late scare to remain unbeaten in Midlands Two East after three games alongside Nottinghamshire rivals Paviors and Syston from Leicestershire.
A 30-28 win over Market Bosworth at Kelham Road was due to another good team performance and a winning confidence after those early wins over Kettering and Melton.
Newark looked to have settled this contest until Bosworth escaped from a line-out in injury time to give themselves a chance to grab an unlikely draw. However, Richie Robinson, the former Leicester centre who had enjoyed an accurate afternoon, failed to land the difficult conversion.
Danny Coen, the Newark captain, also had a decent afternoon kicking three conversions and three penalty goals to go alongside tries by No 8 Ben Spokes, fly half Michael Dobson and flanker Lewis Cove.
Bob Fowkes, the head coach, reported that it was another good all round effort. “We had the majority of pressure in the game and let in three tries from break away attacks. But the lads stuck at it and were worthy winners.”
Bosworth led 16-10 at half-time, Spokes having grabbed Newark’s first try after intense pressure. The match turned in the second half when more prolonged periods brought the scores for Dobson and Cove.
Newark welcomed back Richard Byrom at full-back and had the versatile Mark Miller, who originally joined the club as a prop from Nottingham Corsairs two years ago, on the wing.
Newark 2nds 28 Paviors 2nds 20
A fierce tackle by Jason Phillips turned Newark second team’s match against Paviors after the home team had conceded two early tries.
The wing scored Newark’s first try and was later joined on the score sheet by full-back Andy Hill and the other wing, Johnny Statham. Chris Roberts converted one of the tries and two penalty goals.
The winning try came from Ben McCarthy, the lock who had excellent game alongside boiler house (!) partner Matt Gibson.
Paviors 3rds 29 Newark 3rds 39
Newark took a hold on this Pennant game from the opening minute when centre Bryan Loftus scampered over for the first of the team’s seven tries.
Though Paviors fought back, a further try by prop Duncan Coote, after good work by wing Neil Johnson, put Newark back in front.
Johnson had a successful afternoon contributing three tries with the other scores coming from centre Steve Hodge and prop Jason Barnsdale. Dan Harrison kicked two conversions.
Bingham 15 Newark 4ths 7
A slow start cost Martin Brown’s fourth team at Bingham. They conceded two tries in the first five minutes before a collective effort made the next 70 minutes evenly fought. Newark’s only try came from Trev Waude which was converted by Stan Hutchinson. Scrum-half Tom Lee had another good game.
Ilkeston Colts 0 Newark Colts 58
Newark Colts started their season in a blaze of tries against Ilkeston. The slick handling showed that some good training over the summer has paid off.
James Sizer contributed a hat trick and Dean Woodruff two. Tom Webb, Fred Tatham, David Walters, Arran Riley and Leigh Brocklehurst grabbed one apiece. The conversions came from Sizer and three by captain Harry Dunn.
Sat, Sept 21, 2007
Melton 16 Newark 23
NEWARK grounded out a difficult win against robust Melton opposition to maintain their winning start to the season, after the high of beating Kettering on the opening afternoon.
Newark won 23-16 at Melton to continue the encouraging start to the season. “We had to work hard and the guys, to their credit, stuck at it,” Bob Fowkes, the club coach, said.
Danny Coen, the captain, reported a difficult afternoon that was made harder by problems at the base of the breakdown.
The scrum-half had a good afternoon through his place kicking which helped keep Newark in front. His two conversions and three penalty goals came alongside tries by No 8 Ben Spokes and centre Ed Collishaw.
Newark have already been hit by injuries. Matt Brewer, having rejoined the club from Nottingham, had an ankle injury while his replacement Charlie Claydon, the former first team captain, suffered a recurrence of a heel knock.
The departure of Joe Cormack, the centre, back to university studies brought a reshuffle in the three-quarters and a debut for another student in Bertie Weston-Davies, a reward for some hard training in the summer.
Fowkes reported that Lewis Cove, once more, had been an outstanding figure and had upped his game to compensate for the early loss of Claydon.
Newark led 16-8 at half-time following some good forward driving that brought the try for Spokes. Despite some strong Melton pressure in the second half, the Kelham Road boys managed to keep ahead through a second try, this time from centre Collishaw after a good three-quarter move.
Market Bosworth visit Kelham Road tomorrow (sat) for the next game in Midlands Two East.
Moderns 2nds 10 Newark 2nds 15
The welcome return of Richard Byrom, who had been injured in a pre-season game, helped Newark 2nds to victory over Moderns in a club match.
Byrom, the former club captain, played a full match in a game where Newark scored three tries through Chris Roberts, Dan Skelton and Alex Statham. Two players, prop Jason Barnsdale and centre Andy Nashed, made promising debuts.
Newark 3rd XV 43 West Bridgford Vets 5
A first home game of the season ended in a convincing six tries to one win for Newark 3rds over West Bridgford Vets in a Pennant match.
After Bridgford had dominated the opening spell, Newark had captain Danny Harrison to thank for a half-time lead. He first slotted a penalty goal and then caught a clearing kick to score the first try,
Newark made the game certain immediately after half-time. They scored three tries in eight minutes from centre Tristan Goff, wing Neil Johnson and centre Steve Hodge.
Bridgford grabbed a try back before Newark finished in command to grab further scores from wing Toby Edlin and back Darren Gourley. Harrison, besides his try and penalty, kicked five conversions.
Newark 4ths 7 Derby Vets 39
Newark 4ths only had a try by scrum-half Kev Shaw to show for their efforts in trying to tame a strong Derby Vets XV.
The visitors won the game through a strong first-half performance before the teams shared a score each after the interval. Shaw struck from an interception for a try which was converted by Stan Hutchinson.
Saturday, Sept 7
Newark 32 Kettering 22
NEWARK Rugby Club started the season in the best possible style at Kelham Road by defeating Kettering, one of the fancied teams for promotion, 32-22 in Midlands Two East.
For Bob Fowkes, the new head coach, it was a great way to start the campaign though he warned: “We’ve got to keep our feet firmly on the ground and now work towards another win at Melton this Saturday.”
Fowkes singled out the new back row combination of Lewis Cove and Matt Brewer, on his league debut, for special praise alongside new captain Danny Coen, who contributed 12 points through some accurate place kicking.
Coen said: “I always felt that we were in control of the tempo; Kettering struggled to keep up with the physicality and speed of our forwards and the commitment from everyone, including the three substitutes used, was outstanding.”
Newark began the first half by instantly surprising Kettering through a well-rehearsed back move that brought Aloesi Waqalevu sprinting into the line to score the opening try.
Coen landed the conversion to give a large crowd hope that this season Newark will not be among the strugglers after three seasons where the Blue and Whites have narrowly avoided relegation.
Throughout a frenetic first 40 minutes, Newark had the edge in the tight but Kettering’s back three always looked sharp. As the game progressed they increasingly looked for opportunities to move the phases wide.
Newark were grateful for a robust midfield defensive effort, ably led by Joe Cormack and Ed Collishaw. The untried partnership was relentless in their endeavor and generally got a better return at the collision.
Cormack, who leaves this week to continue his studies in Lyon, grabbed Newark’s second try to gain a half-time lead of 15-8, Coen having added a penalty and conversion.
Kettering started the second half on top and regained the lead through two tries that brought them a lead of 22-15. Newark replied and a Coen penalty put them back in sight of the visitors.
The final period proved to be a winner for Newark where the better fitness of the home pack had Kettering in trouble. The pressure brought two tries through Michael Dobson, after another attack by Waqalevu, and then from a forward drive by Lewis Cove which helped earn him the first man-of-the-match award of the season.
Amber Valley 2nd XV 5 Newark 3rd XV 28
TWO tries in the first 10 minutes gave Newark the perfect start in their first Pennant match of the season.
A good back move allowed full-back Roger Daniels to score the first of his two tries while moments later prop Duncan Coote found himself at the back of a rolling maul and peeled of to run round the blind side and score under the posts.
After a strong scrum from the Newark pack the ball was released to the back and once again drew the midfield allowing Daniels to race 40 metres to score his second.
In the second half Newark eased a little allowing the home team to apply pressure which eventually brought a try down the blindside.
Newark finally put the game out of reach when the backs had quick ball from a ruck and substitute Paul Ward scored his first try. Captain Dan Harrison kicked all four conversions.
Newark 4ths 56 Dronfield 2nds 5
Newark 4th XV made their first Pennant game a winning one and forcing captain Martin Brown to describe his team the strongest he has fielded as captain.
Tries came from both forwards and backs with the pack really running the show. Four backs, Tom Lee, James Bennett, Craig Ellis and Ben Combs all contributed tries while the forwards weighed in with six led by three from Stan Hutchinson who also kicked three conversions. The other tries from the pack men came from Trev Waude, Kevin Shaw and Will Bunn.
Brown commented: “Yes, Stan did buy a jug and so did I. Good performance from a good team. I wish I had this squad every week.”
GREIG Tonks, a former member of Newark’s youth section, continues to make his way up the England ladder through his selection for the under-20s squad this season.
Tonks, a full-back who has started his first year as a full-time professional at Leicester this season, is part of 32-man squad working towards next year’s Six Nations fixtures and the world championship for the age group in Wales next summer.
Newark Advertiser
Friday, Sept 7
NEWARK Rugby Club’s summer of change will be judged tomorrow (Sept 8) when Kettering visit Kelham Road in the opening league game of the new season.
The changes have come thick and fast in the shape of a coaching team, captain and a group of players drawn to Newark by the appointment of ex-Nottingham Corsairs coaches in Bob Fowkes and Bob Nashed.
Newark will be captained by Danny Coen while his predecessor and halfback partner Michael Dobson will resume action once the cricket season finishes.
Coen is expected to captain a team tomorrow that includes former Newark colt Matt Brewer who has returned to his first club after two seasons at Nottingham.
The versatile player has been joined by three other Nottingham players in lock Graham Chenoweth, No 8 Ben Spokes and centre Ed Collishaw. Another new face is ex-Wellingborough prop Shaun May.
Brewer made his return in the final training game of the pre-season last Saturday where the Newark squad were too strong for Lincoln, running out 35-11 winners.
Coen was partnered by Martin Brummutt who scored one of the seven tries. One of the most impressive performances came from ex-colt Nick Galinski who contributed two tries late in the afternoon from the wing.
Other tries came from locks Mark Staines and Ben McCarthy, wing Will Naylor and hooker Matt Cove. Newark 2nd XV start their season tomorrow (sat) when they also host a team from Kettering.
East Leake 17 Newark 3rd XV 28
Newark gained success only after an early scare where they conceded two tries in the first 20 minutes. Some powerful running from wings Neil Johnson and Michael Knapton brought a try each before late scores by captain Dan Harrison and Daly Edwards sealed the contest. Harrison added four conversions.
Meden Vale XV 0 Newark 4ths 83
Note: full list of try scorers not collated!
Veterans Stan Hutchinson and Trevor Waude had a busy afternoon exchanging refereeing duties and playing a half each.
These forwards have decided to play in the 4th XV this season in an effort to bring on new players. One newcomer wing Dan White was among the try scorers while Hutchinson grabbed two alongside Paddy Robinson.
The opposition should be stronger tomorrow (sat) when the team starts Pennant action at home to Dronfield 2nds.
Newark Advertiser
Friday, Aug
NEWARK Rugby Club complete preparations for the new league season tomorrow (sat) when Lincoln are scheduled to be the opponents at Kelham Road, kick off 3pm, for a training game.
Newark had two training games last week where they defeated Sleaford 45-15 and lost at Mansfield 22-15. Both games were split into four quarters and gave opportunities to a squad of 30 or so players each time.
Two new recruits – prop Shaun May and No 8 Ben Stokes – were among the try scorers at Sleaford where Newark scored nine tries.
May has joined from Wellingborough where he played last season while Stokes has come to Kelham Road to link up again with ex-Nottingham coaches Bob Fowkes and Bob Nashed.
Newark’s other try scorers at Sleaford came from familiar names in the versatile Mark Miller, flanker Gareth Bartsch, Martin Brummitt, who played at outside-half, centre Joe Cormack, full-back Toby Edlin and veteran forward Charlie Claydon. The other score was a penalty try.
Claydon was also among the try scorers at Mansfield alongside wing Alex Statham and flanker Lewis Cove. The only downside to the preparations was an injury to former captain Richard Byrom.
Byrom was injured in a heavy tackle in the later stages at Mansfield and needed a two-night stay in King’s Mill as a precaution due to bruised kidneys.
Newark’s season starts in earnest next Saturday (Sept 8) when Kettering visit Kelham Road for the first game in Midlands Two East this season.
Ends
NEWARK Rugby Union Club have appointed a new coaching team from Nottingham in an effort to help revitalise senior teams at the Kelham Road club.
Bob Fowkes and Bob Nashed have started work after deciding to end an eight-year spell at Nottingham where they jointly coached the Corsairs team, the club’s reserve XV. They replace Ian Smith, the former Leicester captain, who did not have his contract renewed at the end of last season.
Fowkes, who previously coached Moderns, said that he and his colleague were looking forward to “running their own ship” and were determined to raise the standards of rugby at the club.
The link between Fowkes and the club was created four years ago when his son, Neil, worked at Kelham Road as the first youth development officer for Newark and district.
They are joined in a new-look management team by captain Danny Coen and chairman of rugby in Alan Swain, a former captain, who has returned to the area after 20 years working away.
Coen takes over from Michael Dobson who steps down after two years at the helm.
He said: “My main goal for this season is to continue this successful run we enjoyed after Christmas when our results were among the best in the league.
“We should have beaten Matlock at the end of the season (who finished second) and so I am aiming to help Newark be as close to the top of the table as possible, come the end of the season,” Coen said.
Training for the new season has already started every Tuesday and a Thursday session will begin on July 19. The first league game is scheduled for Saturday, September 8 when Kettering are the visitors to Kelham Road.
Newark Advertiser
Friday, June 16
MEMBERS of Newark Rugby Football Union Club have elected their first woman president in Mrs Jacki Hunter as part of a new committee structure at the club.
Mrs Hunter was appointed at last week’s annual meeting alongside another first for the club in the election of a chairman in Mr Chris Waddington.
Mr Brian Fisher, the club trustee, in proposing Mrs Hunter said she had been a dedicated servant and the club had always been close to her heart. Five years ago, she was made the first women life member while continuing to be the assistant secretary.
The election of a woman president is still rare in the sport and officials from the Rugby Football Union believe there to be only a handful among more than 1,000 member clubs.
The election of Mrs Hunter came at a meeting where a letter from vice president Peter Spawton revealed how women members had struggled for recognition in the first half of the club’s 89-year existence.
Mr Spawton wrote: “It is amazing how the club has developed and progressed so much in the 53 years since I first became a member. It is particularly pleasing to note how much of a contribution the ladies make to the organisation in general. I remember when I first joined that they were not even allowed into the clubroom on a training evening.”
The Newark club has come a long way since then. Now there is a senior women’s XV and has an increasing number of girls playing in the younger age groups while Claire Hodnett has become a senior referee and has recently officiated at under-19 women internationals.
Mrs Hunter follows her late husband, Ken, in taking on the position of president and Mr Fisher added: “I’m sure Ken would be extremely proud.” She has been a member of the club for more than 40 years and has previously been the bar chairman and in charge of catering.
The Hunters’ biggest contribution to the club was overseeing the improvements to the Kelham Road clubhouse which take place in the mid-1980s. As a tribute to their work, the extension was named Hunters’ Hobby.
The new committee structure should make the role of president less onerous. In an effort to spread the weight of responsibility, the club has introduced the role of chairman to run the executive committee.
Mr Waddington, a former player and colts coach, will take charge of the executive committee. “It will be very much a double act as me and Jacki intend to work together to keep the club going forward.
“There are a lot of positive things happening and it is important we maintain the club’s traditions of offering rugby for players from minis to veterans.”
Club members heard at the annual meeting that work on new floodlights, costing some £40,000, for the 1st XV pitch had started and should be fully installed by September. The club is contributing 50 per cent of the cost having gained a grant from the Rugby Football Union’s community fund.
Ends
22nd September 2007
Newark 30 Market Bosworth 28
NEWARK survived a late scare to remain unbeaten in Midlands Two East after three games alongside Nottinghamshire rivals Paviors and Syston from Leicestershire.
A 30-28 win over Market Bosworth at Kelham Road was due to another good team performance and a winning confidence after those early wins over Kettering and Melton.
Newark looked to have settled this contest until Bosworth escaped from a line-out in injury time to give themselves a chance to grab an unlikely draw. However, Richie Robinson, the former Leicester centre who had enjoyed an accurate afternoon, failed to land the difficult conversion.
Danny Coen, the Newark captain, also had a decent afternoon kicking three conversions and three penalty goals to go alongside tries by No 8 Ben Spokes, fly half Michael Dobson and flanker Lewis Cove.
Bob Fowkes, the head coach, reported that it was another good all round effort. “We had the majority of pressure in the game and let in three tries from break away attacks. But the lads stuck at it and were worthy winners.”
Bosworth led 16-10 at half-time, Spokes having grabbed Newark’s first try after intense pressure. The match turned in the second half when more prolonged periods brought the scores for Dobson and Cove.
Newark welcomed back Richard Byrom at full-back and had the versatile Mark Miller, who originally joined the club as a prop from Nottingham Corsairs two years ago, on the wing.
Newark 2nds 28 Paviors 2nds 20
A fierce tackle by Jason Phillips turned Newark second team’s match against Paviors after the home team had conceded two early tries.
The wing scored Newark’s first try and was later joined on the score sheet by full-back Andy Hill and the other wing, Johnny Statham. Chris Roberts converted one of the tries and two penalty goals.
The winning try came from Ben McCarthy, the lock who had excellent game alongside boiler house (!) partner Matt Gibson.
Paviors 3rds 29 Newark 3rds 39
Newark took a hold on this Pennant game from the opening minute when centre Bryan Loftus scampered over for the first of the team’s seven tries.
Though Paviors fought back, a further try by prop Duncan Coote, after good work by wing Neil Johnson, put Newark back in front.
Johnson had a successful afternoon contributing three tries with the other scores coming from centre Steve Hodge and prop Jason Barnsdale. Dan Harrison kicked two conversions.
Bingham 15 Newark 4ths 7
A slow start cost Martin Brown’s fourth team at Bingham. They conceded two tries in the first five minutes before a collective effort made the next 70 minutes evenly fought. Newark’s only try came from Trev Waude which was converted by Stan Hutchinson. Scrum-half Tom Lee had another good game.
Ilkeston Colts 0 Newark Colts 58
Newark Colts started their season in a blaze of tries against Ilkeston. The slick handling showed that some good training over the summer has paid off.
James Sizer contributed a hat trick and Dean Woodruff two. Tom Webb, Fred Tatham, David Walters, Arran Riley and Leigh Brocklehurst grabbed one apiece. The conversions came from Sizer and three by captain Harry Dunn.
8th September 2007
NEWARK Rugby Club started the season in the best possible style at Kelham Road by defeating Kettering, one of the fancied teams for promotion, 32-22 in Midlands Two East.
For Bob Fowkes, the new head coach, it was a great way to start the campaign though he warned: “We’ve got to keep our feet firmly on the ground and now work towards another win at Melton this Saturday.”
Fowkes singled out the new back row combination of Lewis Cove and Matt Brewer, on his league debut, for special praise alongside new captain Danny Coen, who contributed 12 points through some accurate place kicking.
Coen said: “I always felt that we were in control of the tempo; Kettering struggled to keep up with the physicality and speed of our forwards and the commitment from everyone, including the three substitutes used, was outstanding.”
Newark began the first half by instantly surprising Kettering through a well-rehearsed back move that brought Aloesi Waqalevu sprinting into the line to score the opening try.
Coen landed the conversion to give a large crowd hope that this season Newark will not be among the strugglers after three seasons where the Blue and Whites have narrowly avoided relegation.
Throughout a frenetic first 40 minutes, Newark had the edge in the tight but Kettering’s back three always looked sharp. As the game progressed they increasingly looked for opportunities to move the phases wide.
Newark were grateful for a robust midfield defensive effort, ably led by Joe Cormack and Ed Collishaw. The untried partnership was relentless in their endeavor and generally got a better return at the collision.
Cormack, who leaves this week to continue his studies in Lyon, grabbed Newark’s second try to gain a half-time lead of 15-8, Coen having added a penalty and conversion.
Kettering started the second half on top and regained the lead through two tries that brought them a lead of 22-15. Newark replied and a Coen penalty put them back in sight of the visitors.
The final period proved to be a winner for Newark where the better fitness of the home pack had Kettering in trouble. The pressure brought two tries through Michael Dobson, after another attack by Waqalevu, and then from a forward drive by Lewis Cove which helped earn him the first man-of-the-match award of the season.
Newark 2nds 14 Kettering 2nds 24
A strong visiting pack quickly made their greater strength tell but Newark fought back to fight out a competitive match. Scores for the home team came from lock Mark Staines and prop Jason Henfrey. Chris Roberts added a conversion.
Amber Valley 2nd XV 5 Newark 3rd XV 28
TWO tries in the first 10 minutes gave Newark the perfect start in their first Pennant match of the season.
A good back move allowed full-back Roger Daniels to score the first of his two tries while moments later prop Duncan Coote found himself at the back of a rolling maul and peeled of to run round the blind side and score under the posts.
After a strong scrum from the Newark pack the ball was released to the back and once again drew the midfield allowing Daniels to race 40 metres to score his second.
In the second half Newark eased a little allowing the home team to apply pressure which eventually brought a try down the blindside.
Newark finally put the game out of reach when the backs had quick ball from a ruck and substitute Paul Ward scored his first try. Captain Dan Harrison kicked all four conversions.
Newark 4ths 56 Dronfield 2nds 5
Newark 4th XV made their first Pennant game a winning one and forcing captain Martin Brown to describe his team the strongest he has fielded as captain.
Tries came from both forwards and backs with the pack really running the show. Four backs, Tom Lee, James Bennett, Craig Ellis and Ben Combs all contributed tries while the forwards weighed in with six led by three from Stan Hutchinson who also kicked three conversions. The other tries from the pack men came from Trev Waude, Kevin Shaw and Will Bunn.
Brown commented: “Yes, Stan did buy a jug and so did I. Good performance from a good team. I wish I had this squad every week.”
GREIG Tonks, a former member of Newark’s youth section, continues to make his way up the England ladder through his selection for the under-20s squad this season.
Tonks, a full-back who has started his first year as a full-time professional at Leicester this season, is part of 32-man squad working towards next year’s Six Nations fixtures and the world championship for the age group in Wales next summer.
6th May 2007
Newark U17 25, Richmond U17 17
From Newark RUFCFor Newark, the victory completes an outstanding season where they were also crowned champions of Notts, Lincs & Derbys.
28th April 2007
Newark under-17s 37 Nottingham U-17s 32
NEWARK under-17s collected a second trophy within seven days by toppling arch rivals Nottingham in the final of Notts, Lincs & Derbys age-group championship at Mansfield.
After a win over Otley last week in the Midlands/North play off of the National Championships, Newark’s greater pace and support play this time proved too much for Nottingham in a 37-32 win.
The win proved a point for Newark because they had lost out on representing NLD in the national championship to Nottingham. Instead they were placed in the plate section and that win over Otley has put them into the final, on May 6, against Richmond at Worcester.
Newark made a quick start against Nottingham and tries from wing Russell Westcott and Arran Riley brought a lead that proved invaluable to withstand the stronger opposing forwards.
A third try from No 8 James Dyer earned Newark a 20-18 lead at half-time, Nottingham having struck twice from rolling mauls.
The second half followed the same pattern, Newark trying to use the whole field and Nottingham content to play 10-man rugby, using their well drilled pack to good effect, scoring two additional tries.
Newark ran in three further tries from Harry Dunn, Ed Hale and a first club try for second row Aaran Gibson after an excellent example of support play involving forwards and backs. David Fagan converted one of the tries to go alongside an earlier conversion and penalty.
John Fuchs, the team manager, said: “It was another good performance. We always seemed to know that we could outscore Nottingham. We were worried that the players would not be able to concentrate because of the national final in two weeks’ time.”
Newark Colts attempt to add to the silverware at the final of the Notts Colts Cup at Kelham Road, kick off 7.30pm.
15th April 2007
John Fuchs writes
Newark under-17s 43, Otley under-17s 10
Newark U17 can now look forward to their third final of the season and this is the biggest game a Newark side has faced for many years, a place in the National Plate final on May the 6 th against Richmond rfc at Worcester’s Sixways ground.
Newark, the winners of the Midland Division, now had to deal with Otley the Northern representatives, on a hot sunny day at Doncaster where it was hard to imagine rugby as a winter sport. Otley fielded some of the biggest U17 players ever seen and this was clearly going to be a busy day and straight from the kick off a lucky bounce on the hard ground saw Otley take an early lead after only 40 seconds, but they failed to convert the try
Newark are made of stern stuff and did not waste any time in driving the Otley players back into their 22 and the pressure soon paid off with a chip through and follow up try from the Newark scrum half Jamie Sizer, the try was converted by David Fagan. From the resulting kick off Newark forwards broke forward and kept the ball moving away from the Otley pack and winger Russell Westcott cut inside to take the second Newark try and again converted by Fagan
Otley were clearly rattled having taken the early lead they were not expecting such a response. The Newark forwards were the quicker to the ball, the Newark back row hunted in pairs and Otley never had the luxury of a break. Further good work from the line out and several rucks saw inside centre David Fagan break through the Otley defence to score and then convert his own try
From the restart fly half Harry Dunn kept the Northerners pinned back with some precise kicking from hand. The resulting Otley line out was picked out of the air by Aaran Gibson and from the drive scrum half Sizer saw the gap and drove through for a second try again converted by Fagan, at half time the score was Newark 28 Otley 5
From the start of the second half Otley did put together some pressure and came close in the corner but were driven out by another excellent tackle from full back Joe Musgrove. 10 minutes into the half Otley did get over the line with their replacement prop driving low for a good score.
Newark were not phased and continued to dominate possession and territory, although some very fancy moves could have pout the game over 50 points with time to spare, there were some tired legs and the replacements were soon brought into the action. Declan Round almost immediately added to the score but was brought down with a meter to go, Ryan Burbidge was held up over the line and the pressure soon paid off with a penalty to Newark taken and scored by Fagan.
More ruthless kicking from Dunn kept Otley in their own 22. From a scrum 10 meters our James Dyer picked up at 8 the drove over the line for another converted try, within a couple of minutes David Fagan took a flat pass of Dunn and went through for his second try to end the game at 43-10
This was biggest defeat of the season for a talented Otley side….the RFU fascination with size does not seem to be running true with Newark, skills, fitness and team work has put them into the final
Newark now face Richmond at Worcester on May 6 th……and another travelling convoy is expected to leave Kelham Road….first Newark have to face Nottingham in the NLD final this coming Sunday at Mansfield with a 10.50am kick off
Newark Squad: Michael Topley, Josh Mullally, Ryan Burbidge, David Fagan, Harry Dunn, Aaran Gibson, Jack Middleton, James Dyer, Fred Tatham, Aaran Riley, Barney Bromley, Andrew Birznieks, James Woods, Ed Hale, Mayowa Olonilua, Russell Westcott, Joe Musgrove, Oliver Davis, Leigh Brocklehurst, Niall Goldie, Declan Round, Jamie Sizer
See images taken on the day here
14th April 2007
Newark 13 Matlock 15
NEWARK Rugby Club 1st XV squad completed their ‘great escape’ on Saturday when results at the bottom of Midlands Two East fell in favor of the Kelham Road team after a season where they had started by losing the first 10 games.
Though Newark lost 13-15 to Matlock, Michael Dobson’s team were relieved to hear on the final whistle that Northampton Old Scouts and Ilkeston had also lost which left them fourth bottom in a league where the last three are set to be relegated.
Newark had started a tense afternoon in a confident manner displaying the form that has lifted them from bottom place at Christmas into ninth. Once again, led by the forceful play of their forwards they dominated Matlock after the visitors had made a confident start showing the form that has won them a play off place for finishing second behind champions Loughborough Students.
The match turned in Newark’s favour when Buddha Aloesi caught Matlock trying to attempt a counter attack. The fierce tackle gave the home team confidence and a break by the wing made the initial yards ending in Dobson striding over after some excellent support play by Jon Evans, Pete Corner and Charlie Claydon.
Danny Coen converted and Newark led 7-0 at half-time after surviving a fierce spell of Matlock pressure which brought the sin-binning of home hooker Matt Cove.
Another blow for Newark was the loss through injury of prop Ben Vidler just before half-time. However, the home made an excellent start to the second half and the pressure was rewarded by Coen adding two penalty goals for a lead of 13-0.
Newark should have made the game safe, but despite some strong drives from line-outs they narrowly failed to gain a second try. Matlock finished the stronger and a try by prop Dave Ball made for a tense final 20 minutes.
A penalty goal by Matlock full-back Chris Young closed the margin further and to the dismay of a large Kelham Road crowd No 8 Mike Brooks finished off another period of ferocious forward exchanges.
Brooks’ try levelled the scores and Young’s conversion put Matlock ahead for the first time with the match slipping into injury time. That left Newark awaiting the results from the other grounds to decide the relegation fate.
All the games proved equally tense with Paviors defeating Ilkeston 19-18 while at Derby, Old Scouts lost 20-18. Thus Newark survived by the skin of their teeth.
Newark owed much for their ‘great escape’ to the return after Christmas of some very experienced players in former captain Charlie Claydon alongside back row colleagues in Lewis Cove and Chris Coen.
These three provided the ballast to a pack well anchored by the dependable props in Ben Vidler and Mickey Barker. Other consistent performers proved to be Danny Coen at scrum-half and the explosive Aloesi on the wing.
Notts Pennant
Matlock 2nds 17 Newark 2nds 19
A debut try from George Padley helped bring a narrow win for Newark 2nds. The full-back struck after the had been earlier denied a score for a double movement.
Newark kept ahead through the consistent kicking of full-back Luke Kellaway who landed four penalty goals and a conversion.
Simon Wing writes.....
Newark 3rds won 66-14 against Matlock 3s in the final (pennant) match of the season. This gives us a 100 per cent record for the season (pennant) and 26 wins from 30 matches in all. Totally out matched Matlock up front with notable performances from Will Orrey, Craig Johnston and Duncan Coote. Dan Harrison again led the scoring with three tries and eight conversions. Sam Sibilski scored twice in a fine game from fullback and the centre partnerships of Steve Hodges, Micky Lenton (1st half) and Jason Mayfield (second half) created opportunities in both halfs of the match. An ideal way to finish off the season which has seen us score on average over 50 points per pennant game and only conceding 12 per game. It's also worth mentioning that it was Chris Perry's last game for the club before moving away.
Martin Brown writes.......
Scunthorpe 5ths 27, Newark 4ths 22
We had a good hard game against Scunthorpe 5/6's. There were some players from higher up as there 2's didn't have a game. We lost 27-22 with tries from Tom Lee, Chris Wildgust and two from Jamie Falvey. The one conversion was from Jamie Robinson (paddy). We were ahead at half time 17-12. The heat slowed us down in the second half. We also had an all Barnsdale front row to start with Dick Barnsdale hooking between his sons Jason and Craig. We have photos of the three of them. We had a strong squad of 22 players. Not bad for an away game. Players of note were Chris Wildgust, Tom Lee with a hang over from celebrating his birthday the previous night and Sam Booth with yet another consistent display. The team played well but I would have loved to have won it to make it 12 wins for the season. Just hope we can build on what has been a good squad of regular players in the next season.
31st March 2007
Newark v Ilkeston, away - League, Midland 2 East Won 32-34
Scorers: Tries; Lewis Cove (3), Buddha Waqalevu, Matt Cove. Kicks;
Danny Coen 2 cons.
Newark came away from an intense, passionate, all-action game at the
Stute with a vital 34-32 win over fellow relegation candidates Ilkeston.
from the first few seconds when Buddha Waqalevu stopped Ilkeston's try
machine, Adam Draper, in his tracks with the first of many crunching
tackles to a last kick penalty which would have won the game for
Ilkeston, it was 80 minutes of incident with the result always in doubt.
The victory was down to a pack which continuously ground down the
opposition, claiming 5 of the side's 6 tries and a defence which
proved its merit when the pressure was greatest.
Although the Cove brothers, Lewis and Matt, may claim the glory for
their tries it was a tireless performance from Mickey Barker and Ben
Vidler at prop through to No8 Chris Coen and brother Danny at
scrum-half as a unit which deserves the credit in producing what was
probably their best performance of the season.
Newark put Ilkeston under pressure for the first 6 minutes before Joe
Cormack's burst set up a ruck from which the ball was rapidly spun
wide and Waqalevu was effectively over the line before the defence could react.
Ilkeston came back with a penalty and converted try to go ahead 10-5
on 14 minutes but mid way through the half a distinct pattern was
emerging as Newark drove forward from a line-out 15 metres out and
when Matt Cove was prevented from touching down by Ilkeston collapsing
the ruck the referee immediately awarded a penalty try and Danny Coen added the conversion.
On 34 minutes with Jon Evans and Mark Staines, a late replacement for
Pete Corner, controlling the lines-out, Newark produced another catch
and drive from the 22 and Lewis Cove claimed the first of his 3 tries.
Danny Coen's conversion put Newark 9 points ahead but 2 converted
tries in the last 3 minutes of the half saw the lead again change
hands with the home side 24-19 ahead.
The second half started with Waqalevu putting in yet another run but
when he was obstructed chasing his kick ahead Danny Coen put the
penalty into the corner and Lewis Cove and the pack put in a repeat
performance for the try.
On 48 minutes Newark's flying winger, Waqalevu, created the pressure
which saw the pack twice held up over the line in rapid succession and
Ilkeston's clearance to touch did them few favours as Lewis Cove
completed his hat-trick, courtesy of his forward colleagues.
On the hour Ilkeston looked to have finally countered a Newark
line-out only to see Matt Cove, whose throwing-in had been such a
vital weapon in Newark's attack, burst down the blind side and meet
head-on a defender who was unable to stop the hooker from getting the
touch down for a 34-24 lead.
Ilkeston, though, would not lie down and a 67th minute penalty and a
try 6 minutes later set up a nerve tingling finish with Richard Byrom,
Michael Dobson, Jock McKinnon and Joe Cormack all putting in vital
tackles before the ever aggressive Chris Coen went on a charge which
saw Charlie Claydon held up over the line on 80 minutes, leaving just
enough time for Ilkeston's final attack and a long distance penalty
which didn't quite make it.
With the club officially on tour in Tallinn next Saturday there is no
1st XV game before the final Saturday of the league season but the
club's highly entertaining 3rd's have a Pennant fixture at Kelham Road
against Dronfield, kick-off 3pm.
Newark II v Ilkeston II - game cancelled as Ilkeston unable to field a
side.
Newark III v Mansfield IV, away - friendly.
Won 26-45
Scorers: Tries; George Padley (3), Dan Harrison (2), Duncan Coote,
Chris Blood. Kicks; Dan Harrison 5 cons.
Newark were well pleased with their performance and 45-26 victory over
Mansfield 4ths at Eakring Road.
Against a much bigger and vastly experienced pack Newark had a battle
on their hands to provide decent ball for their backs but when they
did so speed and outstanding running, especially from young full back
George Padley who scored a hat-trick of tries, proved decisive.
Using the elements in the first half Newark ran up a 33-0 lead and
extended it to 45-0 soon after the interval but after bringing on all
their replacements they relaxed in the final quarter and conceded 4 tries.
Dan Harrison produced an outstanding display at scrum-half and was
well worth his 2 tries and 5 conversion with Duncan Coote and Chris
Blood scoring the other touch-downs but it was the return of Simon
Wing at scrum-half which was a major factor in an outstanding team performance.
Newark IV v Ilkeston III, away - friendly Won 12-13
Scorers: Try; Toby Edlin. Kicks; Stan Hutchinson 1 con, 2 pens.
Newark 4ths produced their best display of the season to beat Ilkeston
3rds 13-12 at the Stute.
Facing a pack which was several stones heavier, Richard Bunn was
outstanding at hooker as well as Richard Primmett, Alex Jackson and
Ben McCarthy who all made themselves available after the 2nd XV game
was called off by Ilkeston.
Although it was a star performance by the pack the backs provided a
solid defence and produced a spectacular try when a multi-handling
move finished with a pass to Toby Edlin on the 10 metre line for the
youngster to cut inside and through the heart of the Ilkeston defence.
Stan Hutchinson put over the conversion and 2 penalties whilst his
son, Sam, put in a performance of great maturity.
25th March 2007
National U17 Competition 2006 – 2007
Midland Divisional Final
Newark 22 and Ampthill 8
Newark U17 claimed a significant victory against a determined and well organised Ampthill side at Broadstreet RFC this Sunday to win the Midland divisional Plate Trophy. Newark now face Otley RFC who won the Northern Division after beating Percy Park. The match will be played at Doncaster RFC on Sunday 15th April with the winner going on to play in the National final at Gloucester RFC on May 6th
It was always going to be a tough encounter, Ampthill have won this trophy for the past 2 years. Newark were the first to score with a penalty from captain David Fagan. Ampthill started to work their way back into the game through their forwards and eventually scored from short range just before half time with a half time score of 3-5. After the break came much of the same with Newark trying to get the ball wide, but Ampthill content to work around heir sizable pack, under the pressure Newark conceded the inevitable penalty and the score moved to 3-8. The Newark fitness started to show through and after several drives they were awarded 3 penalties close to the Ampthill line and quick thinking by winger Mayowa Oloniua sent him over for Newark’s first try and with nerves settled Newark started to take the game to Ampthill. Finally finding the gaps, fly half Harry Dunn burst through for his score and promptly followed by inside centre Fagan for his try. Fagan took the conversions
Click on thumbnail to see larger image
24th March 2007
A try late in the second half from Alex Statham earned Newark second team an uplifting win over the strong Derby second team in a hastily-arranged friendly at Kelham Road.
Greig Tonks, a former
17th March 2007
Newark v Kettering, home -League Midland 2 East Lost 14-44
Scorers: Try; Paul Cook. Kicks; Michael Dobson 3 pens.
Newark crashed 14-44 at home to Kettering in Midland 2 East, a defeat
which brought the spectre of relegation back to Kelham Road.
Wins for Mansfield, Ilkeston and Paviors mean that Newark drop one
place to fourth from bottom but there are only 3 points covering the
last 6 clubs which makes the visit to Ilkeston in 2 weeks and the
final home game against second placed Matlock seem like a survival mountain.
Newark were without experienced prop Ben Vidler who has been a
mainstay of their revival and inspirational scrum-half Danny Coen and
both replacements, Jason Henfrey and Matt Clark struggled, but it was
the re-emergence of the problems of early season that cost them the match.
Newark made a bright start but poor handling set Kettering up for
their first try on 4 minutes and 5 minutes later the visitors extended
with a converted try from a line-out.
When Newark failed to find touch from a penalty Kettering raced
through the heart of Newark's defence for a further converted try and
a 17-0 lead with just 15 minutes gone.
Newark's pack, especially second rows Jon Evans and Pete Corner and
No8 Chris Coen, were battling all the way and a great line-out take by
Evans saw Newark press on the line before losing the ball.
Play was kept in the Kettering half until a break-out looked odds-on
to score before Richard Byrom, and not for the only time in the match,
came to the rescue.
Newark's defence then had to be at its most determined with Coen
holding up the ball over the line and Charlie Claydon putting in 2
telling tackles, however Kettering extended their lead to 20-0 with a
penalty in the 10th minute of added time.
Newark improved after the interval and Michael Dobson put them on the
board with a penalty and a second following a lively run by Buddha
Waqalevu.
Michael Dobson's third successful kick, this time from the 10 metre
line, gave Newark hope at 9-20 on 52 minutes but Kettering put over a
penalty 3 minutes later and added a further try when Newark tried to
chip their way out of their own 22.
A knock-on denied Paul Cook a try after a series of drives instigated
by Martyn Dobson and Byrom but the defensive frailties were exposed
again as Kettering ran in 2 late tries before Newark gain a little
compensation when the Dobson Brothers were involved in sending Mark
Miller on a battling run down the wing and the supporting Cook dived
over for the try a try in the corner.
Next Saturday Newark travel to Paviors for a Notts Cup match but a win
would be of little compensation if they cannot retain their Midland 2
Status.
Newark II - No Match
Newark III v Market Rasen II, away - Friendly Won 17-12
Scorers: Tries; Mark Staines (2), Marr Brewer. Kick; Simon Wing 1 con.
Newark 3rds returned from Market Rasen 2nds with a 17-12 victory with
Mark Staines, playing his first game for 12 weeks, making a
significant contribution including 2 tries.
In a dogged performance Newark led 12-5 at half-time after Staines'
first try and one from Matt Brewer plus a Simon Wing conversion but it
was in a hard fought second half when Newark's forwards, especially
Dunc Dawson and Chris Perry, came into thei