Early tries give Newark hope against forceful league leaders

Newark played their best rugby early on in this tough encounter against the league leaders at Kelham Road on Saturday.

Tries from wing Ovi Gilder and hooker Jamie Vinters helped bring an early 17-14 lead.

However, overall Lichfield were too strong and pulled clear in the second half. Newark scored a third try from full-back James Tarbatt.

George Leeson, who converted all three tries, had given Newark an early lead after Lichfield were penalised for not releasing at a ruck.

Lichfield fought back and started to exert pressure before their No 12 sliced through the home midfield to score a try which was duly converted.

The writing was on the wall when more Lichfield pressure on the right gave an opportunity to their No 7 to outpace the defence to score another try which was, again, converted.

Somewhat against the run of play, Newark fought back and a break by captain, Will Britten, from midfield set Gilder free and he raced under the posts for Newark's first try. Leeson converted to leave Newark 10-14 adrift.

Buoyed by their success, Newark raided again down their left and were just repelled in the corner by the Lichfield defence.

However, in doing so they conceded a penalty from which Newark won a line-out and set up a threatening maul.

The Newark pack was composed and it enabled Vinters to dash over for a try in the corner.

Once again, Leeson converted to give Newark a lead of 17-14. Despite further Newark pressure, Lichfield responded with a try on the left whilst two Newark men were down injured.

The conversion was unsuccessful, but it meant that Lichfield had taken a lead which they would never give up. In fact, the visitors became very dominant towards the end of the half, scoring a further try and a penalty to go into half time at 17-27 up.

Unfortunately for Newark, the second half was mostly one way traffic. The Lichfield No 8, an influential and skilful playmaker throughout, stormed through a leaky Newark defence to score under the posts.

The try was converted as was a further effort after slick Lichfield handling gave them a further try, leaving Newark trailing 17-41.

At this stage, a cricket score looked likely as the Lichfield hooker went over for another converted try. Lichfield were running hard and off-loading with great skill and the Newark defenders were left chasing shadows.

Despite being on the back foot, Newark broke out and scored a well-worked try, Gilder setting up Tarbatt for the try which Leeson converted.

At 24-48, the game was still out of reach and Lichfield rubbed salt into the wound with three further tries, two which were converted. Newark were glad of the final whistle with the score at 24-67.

Newark v Lichfield: Tarbatt; Ashe, Britten (capt), Walton, Gilder; Leeson, Charles; Ashton, Vinters, Wright, Ellison, Duncan, O’Leary, Dodders, Stamp. Subs: Chapple, Jackson, Tuscher.

Tries: Gilder, Vinters, Tarbatt. Conversions: Leeson (3). Penalty: Leeson.

Next Saturday (Feb 10): away to Long Eaton, please note kick off time – 3pm.