A POSITIVE FIRST-HALF DISPLAY

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Saturday, November 28

Midlands One East

Newark 12 Derby 34

A positive first-half display gave Newark hope of upsetting second-placed Derby in this league match played in bad conditions.

A much-changed team, including teenager Jordan Hempstead and veteran hooker Matt Cove joining forces in the front row, took the game to Derby helped by the conditions in the first 40 minutes.

And the positive mood brought a penalty try, following a kick and chase by full-back Alex Scott, and a second from centre Aloesi Waqalevu put Newark into a 12-7 lead, Dan Mackie having converted the opening score.

Waqalevu, back on duty after missing the trip to Bugbrooke, struck off a sweeping move, led by Scott, which finished in just about the best try of the afternoon.

Derby, who had scored first, levelled before half-time at 12-12 having seen Newark miss several chances to increase the lead, especially when captain Matt Clark was held up near the line.
Newark knew they would be under pressure in the second half as Derby used the wind and a strong forward game to dominate.

Derby scored three more tries to run out winners by five tries to two but Newark’s first-half performance was heartening after a difficult two weeks in defeat by Bedford Athletic and Bugbrooke.

Newark were galvanised up front by Cove’s comeback and the appearance of former Derby player Dave Garland at No 8 who has been a regular in the second team.

The pair were well backed up by Jon Webster and Dave Fotheringham at lock and back-rowers Tom Coen and Tom Crosby.
Newark were also aided by two forward substitutes in Rogi Saini and Will Naylor.

Next up is a trip to Huntingdon next Saturday (Dec 5), kick off 2.15pm.

Newark team: Scott; Green, Waqalevu, Birch, Mackie; Tupholme, Clark (capt); Hempstead, Cove, Chapple, Webster, Fotheringham, Coen, Crosby, Garland.

Subs: Saini, Naylor.