NEWARK NEVER GAVE UP

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Saturday, Nov 14

Midlands One East

Newark 0 Bedford 38

Newark were given something of a painful lesson by title contenders Bedford Athletic whose win by five tries to nil has taken them to the top.

Athletic, despite the wet conditions, played some good rugby in building a 28-0 lead by half-time to put the match out of sight.

Newark never gave up and a battling second-half performance deserved at least a consolation try or two.

Front-rower, Jed Chapple provided Newark loyalists the most exciting moment when he burst clear from the 22-metre line in a move which looked likely to produce a try.
However, Newark could not recycle sufficiently quickly to finish off the break and the chance was lost.

Newark continued to press in the second half and forced several close-in line-outs and scrums which Athletic defended.

Athletic had demonstrated their speed and wit in the 10th minute when posting their first try. Newark needed to take their chances and forced a line-out near the visiting line soon after the opening try but did not have the cohesion to make the pressure tell.

Three further tries by Athletic settled the match though Newark retained their pride through a second-half display which deserved a try or two. The only points of the second half were a penalty by the Bedford team and their fifth try.

Newark were not helped by changes in the week to the team who had earned a losing bonus point the previous week at Paviors.

Lock Rory Williams is out injured for a few weeks, having damaged a knee, and fly half Dan Mackie is suffering from a dead leg picked up against Paviors.

Newark travel to Bugbrooke next Saturday (Nov 21), kick off 2.15pm.

Team
Newark: Callum Slack; Ford, Waqalevu, Tupholme, Statham; Scott, Clark (capt); Priestley, Chapple, Price, Tatham, Primett, Duncan, Hubbard, May.

Subs: Tomlinson, Crosby, Connor Slack.