Pre-season friendly

Newark Rugby Club
Pre-season friendly
Saturday, Aug 28

Newark 7 Loughborough Univ 36

Newark found a Loughborough University XV far too strong and quick at Kelham Road though there were still plenty of positives from a tough afternoon.

A second-half try from Sam Sibilski rewarded Newark for their enterprise throughout. Several excellent attacks deserved more than a single try. Richard Woolridge, a new scrum-half from Lincoln, added the conversion.

Newark had another new recruit on the wing in 17-year-old wing Bradley Eames. He coped well in a difficult baptism against the speedy Loughborough team.

It was also good to see flanker Arran Riley back in Newark colours after a season at Southwell.

Injuries did not help Newark’s cause. Prop Harry Pick needed attention to a cut and captain Ian Tomlinson received treatment for a leg injury.

Newark’s league season opens next Saturday, at home to Matlock, kick off 3pm. The match is sponsored by Tony Rose of Newark Storage, the club’s main sponsors.

Squad v Loughborough Univ: Cormack; Eames, Tate, Moore, Eveleigh; Cox, Clark; Barnsdale, Tomlinson, Pick, Primett, Tatham, Bartsch, Naylor, Webster. Subs: Rhodes, Riley, Bridges, Collishaw, Byrom, Miller, Sibilski, T Bunn, Wooldridge, Weston-Davies.

Rob Wildman