THE MATCH WAS A MIDFIELD WRESTLE

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Saturday, Nov 21

Midlands One East

Bugbrooke 26 Newark 0

The Slack triplets – Callum, Connor and Jordan – achieved a family first in this tough league encounter in deepest Northamptonshire.

When Jordan Slack joined his two brothers at the start of the second half it left Newark regulars wondering if the club had ever fielded a set of triplets in a league match before.

Jordan came on at centre joining full-back Callum and Connor out on the wing. They were all part of a resilient second-half display after Bugbrooke had led 12-0 at the break.
Newark’s brave effort restricted Bugbrooke who added two more tries after the interval to collect a try bonus point.

Bugbrooke’s fourth try came after the match had been moved on to an adjoining pitch because of a bad leg injury to one of the home players.

A big part of the match was a midfield wrestle though Bugbrooke had the majority of attacking plays and the sharper edge.

Newark’s best play came early in the second half and they always competed for possession led by a hard-working front row of Ian Tomlinson, Jed Chapple and James Price.
That trio was unchanged from the previous week in a team which showed four changes.

A new-look back row featured Tom Coen and Tom Crosby in tandem at flanker alongside No 8 Josh Hubbard.
A further change came at lock where James Newman partnered Richard Primett. In the backs, centre Kent Birch played alongside Luke Tupholme.

After missing an easy penalty goal in the first five minutes, Bugbrooke scored out wide to reward early pressure. They added a second in the 30th minute which was converted.

Newark rallied at the start of the second half – Coen leading one attack down the flank – but they never looked likely to breakthrough.

Bugbrooke added a third try after Newark failed to clear the ball from a five-metre scrum and added a fourth when the match was moved to another pitch following the leg injury to a Bugbrooke player.

Newark team: Callum Slack; Connor Slack, Birch, Tupholme, Ford; Scott, Clark (capt); Chapple, Tomlinson, Price, Newman, Primett, Coen, Crosby, Hubbard.

Subs: Hempstead, Fotheringham, Jordan Slack.