Newark started brightly at West Bridgford and led 8-0 but were ultimately outplayed by the home team in this Nottinghamshire derby.

A try from Buds Waqalevu, the centre racing almost the length of field, gave Newark that early lead following an opening penalty from Max Chapple.

However, that was the high point for Newark as injuries also took their toll besides a general failure to find the form which brought a good win in the Intermediate Cup the previous week over Old Laurentians.

Newark lost three players to injury – Will Britten, Billy Charles and Richard Primett – on top of the late withdrawal just before the match of captain Dave Garland.

The No 8 was replaced by Rory Williams on his first appearance for the senior team since his return from Australia.

When a hamstring injury forced Britten to limp off, the full-back was replaced by Matt Clark. By then Newark had built that 8-0 lead and a scrappy period of play followed that saw both sides give away a series of penalties, finally giving Bridgford a kickable three points.

From the restart, a ‘tit for tat’ kicking exchange gave Bridgford a line-out on the Newark 10 metre line. Winning the line-out, Bridgford were able to produce some quick off-loads and score under the posts for a 10-8 lead.

A suspected collarbone injury to Charles followed which brought on Rob Dunning in the front row with Francis Appleton moving to centre.

More scrappy play, then finally a good Newark attack, only for the ball to be lost allowing Bridgford to capitalise and score in the right-hand corner for a half-time lead of 17-8.

Despite having the wind advantage in the second half, Newark soon conceded, when a charged down kick gave Bridgford another try, 24–8.

Newark looked off the pace and Bridgford quickly extended their lead with another try under the posts. 31 – 8.

It was at this point that lock Primett had to leave the field with a shoulder injury, leading Newark to bring on their last substitute, Will Ellison.

More penalties gave Bridgford good field position and a well-rehearsed set move from a five-metre scrum gave them another score under the posts. 38 -8.

The last quarter saw a heavily disrupted Newark side launch a series of attacks. With just five minutes to go, it was Mikey Boyd who broke through to score, Chapple converting 38 – 15, the final score.

Defeat means Newark slip into sixth place below next Saturday’s visitors to Kelham Road in Nottingham Casuals, kick off 2.15pm.

Team: Britten, Stark, Charles, Waqalevu, Hunter-Shaw, Mackie, Chapple, Coulam, Tomlinson, Appleton, Primett, Bagga, Boyd, Crosby, Williams.
Bench: Dunning, Ellison, Clark.