A close final 20 minutes

Midlands One East

Newark 15 Bedford Athletic 19

Newark stormed back from a slow start to claim a losing point against powerful Bedford Athletic at Kelham Road.

Tries from Tom Coen and Matt Clark helped Newark fight-back after a slow start had seen Athletic grab a 14-0 lead after only 10 minutes.

The visitors, who once included England Mouritz Botha in their ranks, took charge from the sixth minute when they worked an overlap to score the game’s opening try.
A second try in the 10th minute, this time from a catch and drive, put Athletic 14-0 clear, both tries being converted.

Once Newark found their stride the match became much more even and they turned round 14-5 down, Tom Coen scoring from a catch-and-drive move off a line-out.

Newark continued on the attack in the second half to close the gap further in the 47thminute, Clark racing clear after the Athletic defence had drifted outwide in an attempt to cover an overlap.
Danny Coen added the conversion to close the gap to two points at 12-14.

A close final 20 minutes brought a crucial try for Athletic while Newark managed to make sure of the losing bonus point through a penalty by Danny Coen three minutes from time.

Newark’s next league game is on Saturday at Matlock.

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

Subs: Barnsdale, Price, Badley.

Tries: Tom Coen, Clark.

Conversion: Danny Coen.

Penalty goal: Danny Coen.

Rob Wildman