A new-look team

Midlands One East

Market Rasen 15 Newark 22

Newark dominated this contest for a good hour at Market Rasen and then needed some stout defence to hold out the home team for a fourth win of the season.

A new-look team saw Newark play some excellent controlled rugby to build a lead of 22-3 midway through the second half, scrum-half Matt Clark scoring two tries and fit-again Aloesi Waqalevu immediately back in try-scoring form.

But Rasen struck back strongly in the final 20 minutes to score two tries themselves which made for some tense moments in the Newark ranks.

A new-look team brought a return for Danny Coen at fly half and the use of Matt Cox at full-back. Up front, No 8 Chris Coen joined Tom Coen in a back-row alongside blindside Jon Webster while David Rhodes partnered Richard Primett at lock in the absence of Jon Evans.

A second-minute try put Newark on top thanks to the scoring instincts of Waqalevu on the left wing. He beat two defenders to touchdown in the corner after centre Ed Collishaw had used good line-out ball to set up the attack.

Rasen hit back through a penalty in the 15th minute on their first visit to the Newark half. However, the action was soon back at the other end as Clark grabbed his first try try following a line-out drive. Danny Coen added the conversion and a later penalty in the half put Newark 15-3 up at half-time.

Newark should have made the game safe at the start of the second half. They dominated territorially and a third try, again by Clark, after good work by Cox and Waqalevu, looked to have done the job.

Danny Coen converted to put Newark 22-3 ahead only for Rasen to finish on top, scoring twice in close succession to bring themselves within a converted try of gaining a draw.

Newark’s next game is on Saturday (Oct 27) at home to Bedford Athletic, kick off 3pm.

Team: Cox; Tate, Mark Byrom, Collishaw, Waqalevu; Danny Coen, Matt Clark; May, Tomlinson, Gray, Primett, Rhodes, Webster, Tom Coen, Chris Coen.

Subs: Barnsdale, Price, Badley.
Tries: Waqalevu, Clark (2).

Conversions: Danny Coen (2).
Penalty goal: Danny Coen.

Rob Wildman