NEWARK CERTAINLY WENT DOWN ATTACKING
NEWARK KEPT PLAYING AND SHOULD HAVE GRABBED A LOSING BONUS POINT
REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN
Midlands One East
Newark put up a brave display at Ilkeston but ultimately the heavyweight home team edged a bruising contest to win by four tries to two.
This narrow defeat means Newark face relegation to Midlands Two East North next season alongside Matlock and Old Laurentians.
With one game to go next week, none of the trio can overhaul Market Rasen, who are fourth bottom, to lift themselves out of the relegated bottom three.
Newark certainly went down attacking at Ilkeston scoring early on through wing Ben Usher and fighting back late on to score a further try from No 8 Dave Garland in the second half.
In between, Ilkeston had the bulk of the possession and territory but some excellent defence and tackling from Newark kept the margin tight.
It was certainly a bruising affair as Newark lost four players to injury during the match in Usher, Kent Birch, Max Spurr and John Webster.
All the comings and goings (Ilkeston lost players as well) meant for a long afternoon with the referee allowing lengthy injury time.
Newark sensed an upset when Usher raced onto Alex Scott’s well-judged chip in the fifth minute. If further early pressure had brought more points Ilkeston might have struggled to regain the impetus.
But by half-time Ilkeston had applied a grip to lead 10-5 at the break. A third try 15 minutes into the second half increased the margin.
Newark counter-attacked well and an excellent spell of pressure ended in Garland finishing off following good work led by Matt Clark and Jed Chapple. Dan Mackie converted to put the visitors only three points behind at 12-15.
Ilkeston, however, responded the better in the next 10 minutes and scored out wide to put the game beyond doubt.
Newark kept playing and should have grabbed a losing bonus point but two kickable penalties went wide in the closing stages.
The team finish league action next Saturday, at home to Kettering, kick off 3pm.
The following Saturday (April 23) Newark host Southwell in a Notts Cup semi-final, kick off 3pm at Kelham Road.
Newark v Ilkeston:
Scott; Callum Slack, Birch, Tupholme, Usher; Mackie, Clark (capt); Dunning, Chapple, Hempstead, Duncan, Webster, Hubbard, Spurr, Garland.
Subs: Brown, Fotheringham, Jordan Slack.
Tries: Usher, Garland.
Con: Mackie.
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