Newark never gave up

Tries by No 8 Dave Garland and lock Jason Matthysz were the high points of Newark’s trip to Lincolnshire rivals Market Rasen.

Garland’s first-half try kept an injury-hit Newark squad in the match while Matthsz struck late on to give hope of at least a losing bonus point from the match.

However, Rasen had the final word to complete a double this season in league matches between the two teams.

It was a disappointing day for the club’s faithful as they saw a worryingly long injury list get longer during the match against a confident Rasen team.

Here Tim Barker provides a report on the match at Rasen.

With Matt Cox sidelined from selection with a shoulder injury, the returning Alex Scott moved into the 10 slot.

Newark faced the slope and breeze first half and a cagey first 10 minutes saw neither side able to exert authority.

The injury problems worsened after 10 minutes when skipper Will Britten had to leave the field with a recurring shoulder injury. Sam Booth went to 15 and Robbie Hunter-Shaw moved up to fill the gap left by Britten’s departure.

Newark looked unsettled by these enforced changes and the home side took advantage soon after when their centre cut through for a converted try.

Things got worse when wing Billy Charles pulled up with a hamstring strain after 20 minutes forcing him to leave the field and be replaced by back-rower Logan Watt. Will Seage came out of the forwards to the vacant wing slot.

A loose kick was collected on the home side’s 10 metre-line and they ran 60m through the disjointed Newark defence for a 14-0 lead.

To their credit Newark were exerting their familiar pressure up front and this was rewarded in the 30th minute when Dave Garland bundled over from close in.

Newark were enjoying territory but needed another score before half time to really force their way back into the game. It wasn’t to be, it was the home side who scored the decisive try in the 38th minute to give them a 19-5 advantage at half time.

Despite having the breeze at their backs it was Rasen who effectively ended the contest soon after half-time with another converted try.

Newark never gave up and pressed hard but neither side could add to the scoreline for the next 20 minutes.

It was Newark who broke the deadlock. Scott chipped high to the corned, it was collected by makeshift wing Logan Watt who made ground and eventually lock Jason Matthysz went over to make it 26-10.

All hope was lost soon after when the home side scored their last converted try to give a final score of 33-10 and sees them move to 7th and Newark revert to 8th.

Next Saturday (March 9) Newark entertain Matlock at Kelham Road, kick off 3pm.

Newark team versus Rasen: Hunter-Shaw, Moore, Britten, Birch, Charles; Scott, Overland; Hempstead, Chapple, Coulam, Matthysz, Williams, Brogden, Seage, Garland.

Subs: Wells, Watt, Booth.

Tries: Garland, Matthysz.