Two bonus points bring 1sts some comfort in narrow defeat

It was a case of what might have been at Kelham Road on Saturday where the 1sts lost out in another entertaining match against Long Eaton.

Last season Long Eaton won this fixture 35-29 before Newark surprised our local rivals 55-21 in the return fixture.

This was another hectic clash where there was never more than score between the two sides.

However, Newark allowed a lead late on of 31-26 to slip away into a narrow defeat which gained the team two bonus points – one for losing by seven or fewer points and a try bonus for four or more tries.

Newark’s speedy backs provided three tries from wings Josh Ashe and Ovi Gilder plus one from captain Will Britten. Forwards Mattie Ashton and Jed Chapple also scored. Scrum-half James Tarbatt kicked three conversions.

Long Eaton started strongly and went over in the corner after just three minutes. This stunned the home crowd, however Newark settled down to the task and the prolific Ashe, who scored four last week in the big win over Sutton Coldfield, went over near the posts after 15 minutes. James Tarbatt converted.

That lead of 7-5 did not last long as LE went over near the posts for a converted try to be 7-12 ahead.

Newark, like in the first match, were always prepared to run the ball and back themselves.

From a line-out just inside their own 22 they drove forward, Tarbatt broke blind and made a half break before feeding Gilder on the wing

He made 50 metres into the LE 22 before feeding captain Britten to go in under the posts. Tarbatt converted for a 14-12 lead.

In typical fashion, LE came back strongly for the last try of the first half by driving a line-out five metres out from the line. So they took a 14-19 lead into half –time.

Newark started the second half in fine style with the powerful front rowers Chapple and Ashton both going over for tries to give Newark a lead of 24-19.

Neither side could really break free and LE somewhat controversially scored again. Their full-back collected a good clearance kick from debutant Jack Drabble, chipped the oncoming defence and then hacked forward.

Wing Ashe felt he’d touched the ball down before the onrushing LE player, but the referee disagreed and Long Eaton led 24-26.

After an hour a seemingly innocuous incident ended in a flare up with the LE scrum half given a yellow card and Newark lock Will Ellison a red.

With 10 minutes to go Matt Walton made a half break before putting Gilder in a bit of space and that was all he needed to go over in the corner. The impressive Tarbatt converted from the touchline 31-26.

LE would not lie down and went over in the corner and added a very fine conversion to regain the lead at 31-33. Newark came back strongly and won a penalty in front of the posts in the LE 22.

Newark opted to tap and go rather than taking the points and failed to get over the line, spilling the ball and allowing LE to kick down field.

The crowd felt that Newark’s chance had gone and that proved to be the case. LE had the final say by going over in the corner but failed to convert.

Was it 3 points lost or 2 points gained? Difficult to say, but it certainly showed that Newark can compete at the top end of this league.

There was never more than one score between the sides throughout the 80 minutes in what was an entertaining but ultimately disappointing afternoon

Team: Drabble; Ashe, Williams, Walton, Gilder; Britten, Tarbatt; Ashton, Vinters, Godfrey, Ellison, Duncan, Seage, Dodders, Brogden. Subs: Chapple, Tuscher, Catley.
Tries: Ashe, Britten, Chapple, Ashton, Gilder. Conversions: Tarbatt (3).
Next Saturday (Sept 16): away to Melbourne, kick off 3pm.