Newark suffer from a slow start

The first team visited league leaders Lichfield for the first time and needed a good start. Unfortunately, the opposite happened.

The kick off went straight into touch and from the ensuing scrum Lichfield moved the ball to the right, and after a couple of plays dived over for the first try after only two minutes, duly converted.

Newark countered strongly, forcing a couple of five-metre line outs, but we were unable to breach the home line.

However, Newark came back again and from another line-out close in managed to force their way over the line after 10 minutes, with prop Mattie Ashton scoring.

After a poor clearance kick from Newark, Lichfield set up a powerful maul from a line-out to cross for their second try after around 15 minutes, 14-5 to Lichfield.

Newark continued to try and attack, but a mistake in their own 22 led to Lichfield scoring a third try after only 20 minutes.

The home No 8 and captain was having a good game and their right winger proving difficult to stop.

Lichfield lost a player for a team offence for repeated high tackles, but despite this scored their fourth try just before half-time following an outrageous dummy from their hooker, making in 26-5.

Newark came out with renewed intent in the second half but were not helped by losing a couple of their own line-outs.

From one of these the Lichfield scrum half pounced on a loose ball to score their fifth try, duly converted.

Things were not looking good for Newark, but this prompted a sturdy response. A try by Aloesi Waqalevu was unfortunately disallowed following what was judged to be a forward pass, but Newark were now in the ascendancy.

Lichfield had a second player yellow-carded for a team offence. From a line-out near the line, James Tarbatt sold an exquisite dummy to cross for Newark’s second try.

Both sides could have scored again in the final 10 minutes, but the score line remained constant, with Newark proving good value for a second-half performance yielding a try each.

Lichfield were good hosts with excellent facilities, and the visiting Leicestershire referee had a very sound game.

The second team paid for a slow start in their match against Ashbourne. They were 12-0 down after 10 minutes and led 17-0 at the break.

Newark 1sts: Archdale; Hickton, Ashe, Charles, Gilder; Walton, Tarbatt; Ashton, Vinters, Godfrey, Ellison, Duncan, Dodders, O’Leary, Brogden, Tarbatt. Subs: White, Dobson, Waqalevu.
Tries: Ashton, Tarbatt.
Next Sat: no game.
Next League match – Saturday 4 November: Newark v Tamworth, kick 2.15pm.
The 2nds next play on Saturday week (November 4) away to Ashfield.