Newark go near in late surge for victory

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Saturday, September 20

Newark 18 Kettering 24

Newark dominated large parts of a competitive clash at Kelham Road but only had a losing bonus point to show for their efforts against Kettering who remain unbeaten after three games.
A late surge of pressure from the home team looked set to bring more reward after a try from wing Ben Usher had edged Newark within sight of victory.
Newark produced an improved display after the disappointment of a poor afternoon out at Ilkeston the previous week including the sight of captain Matt Clark hobbling off.

Clark rested up this Saturday and in his absence Newark fielded former captain Danny Coen at scrum-half in his first appearance since last season.

Another change in the backline saw a first league start for Patrick Ford while there was a recall at full-back for Will Britten.
Up front, Joe Tinsley returned at prop while in the back row Neil Clark, James Price and temporary captain Lewis Cove forged a bustling partnership. The trio were backed up by a good all-round forward display topped off by the line-out work of Rory Williams.
Despite making a good start, Newark still found themselves 7-0 down within five minutes after a Kettering kick ahead had produced the opening scores through a try and conversion.

Newark quickly returned to the attack and some strong mauling brought another try for prop Rob Dunning who had forced his way over the previous week at Ilkeston.

Offer failed to land the conversion, but made up by adding a penalty in the 12th minute to put Newark 8-7 up.

However, Kettering reclaimed the advantage thanks to another kick this time a high one which bounced unkindly for the home defence to hand the visitors a second try which was converted.

Kettering led 14-8 at the break and were aided by Newark missing out on three penalty attempts which would have made the game much closer.

A second penalty from Offer did cut the deficit early in the second half only for Kettering to quickly re-assert their command through a penalty for a 17-11 lead.

Kettering’s crucial score came midway through the second half after a period of messy play from both teams which ended in the visitors profiting most from a series of turnovers. The conversion put Kettering 24-11 up.

However, Newark fought back in great style over the final quarter. A move off a line-out ended in Usher, on the wing, continuing his impressive start at the club by scoring for the third week running.

Offer added the conversion to set up a tense finale in which Newark’s forward pressure looked set to bring a further score which would have made victory possible.

Newark continue their league programme at Mansfield next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Scoring sequence: 0-7 Kettering try and con, 5-7 Dunning try, 8-7 James pen, 8-14 Kettering try and con, 11-14 Offer penalty, 11-17 Kettering pen, 11-24 Kettering try & pen, 18-24 Usher try, Offer conversion.

Team: Britten; Usher, Ford, Tate, Galinski; Offer, Coen; Dunning, Chapple, Tinsley, Williams, Downing, Neil Clark, Lewis Cove (capt), Price.