Newark held on to record a narrow win.

Saturday, Dec 1

NLD VASE – second round

Dronfield 14 Newark 20

A second-half try by former captain Ed Collishaw helped Newark to a hard earned win over Dronfield in the NLD Vase on Saturday.

Newark needed a second-half surge to overtake the stubborn Dronfield team who led 11-3 30 minutes into the first half. Fly half Matt Cox contributed 15 points through a first-half try, two conversions and two penalty goals.
A good performance from the forwards was rewarded when Collishaw finished off a move midway into the second half to put Newark ahead for the first time in the match.

Cox added the extra points through a conversion from the touchline to put Newark 20-14 up.

Despite Dronfield enjoying the pressure in the final minutes, Newark held on to record a narrow win.

After Dronfield had taken an early 3-0 lead, they scored the game’s first try to go 8-0 up after 20 minutes. A penalty by Cox reduced the deficit only for the home team to quickly kick their second penalty.
Cox struck just before half-time to score under the posts and his conversion put Newark only a point behind at the break, 11-10.

A third penalty by the Dronfield fly half stretched the lead to 14-10 early in the second half before Cox’s next penalty started to establish Newark’s control.

Newark return to league action next Saturday, at home to Paviors, kick off 2.15pm.

The Kelham Road pitch is expected to be fit for action after the recent flood.

Team: Tate (capt); Edlin, Badley, Mark Byrom, Collishaw; Cox, Matt Clark; Barnsdale, Tomlinson, Gray, Primett, Evans, Rhodes, Fotheringham, Neil Clark.

Subs: Tinsley, Priestley, Bridges.

Tries: Cox, Collishaw.
Conversion: Cox (2).
Penalty goals: Cox (2).

Rob Wildman