The visitors could not turn the pressure into points.
The biggest positive for Newark was the strong play of new centres
REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN
Saturday, Oct 16
Midlands One East
Old Northamptonians 52 Newark 12
Newark produced some of their best rugby of the season to keep promotion-chasing Old Northamptonians on their toes in an entertaining clash.
If Newark had been able to score in a dominant period after the interval then they might well have travelled back up the M1 having claimed at least a bonus point for their efforts.
The biggest positive for Newark was the strong play of new centres in Dan Ireland and James Challenger while the pick of a hard working pack was Freddie Tatham who started at blindside flank.
However, Newark were always trying to chase Old Northamptonians because a slow start allowed the home team to race into a 19-0 lead after the first quarter.
The Northampton team pounced on Newark’s loose play to score three tries alongside two conversions.
Newark fought back as Ireland and Challenger managed to get into the game to unsettle the home backs. The play, helped by the power of interchange substitute Shaun May, led to a try for wing James Stark which put the visitors back into the match.
After the ONs had reasserted their authority through a fourth try, Newark finished the half on a high when prop Rob Dunning ended a series of pick-and-goes to claim his third touchdown of the season.
Matt Clark converted the score by Dunning to leave Newark trailing 12-26 at the break. The confident play continued at the start of the second half but the visitors could not turn the pressure into points.
A fifth try for ONs meant Newark had to chase the game even more and the final quarter saw the home team stretch away for a win which puts them fourth in the table.
Newark, who are in 12th place, host Nottinghamshire rivals Paviors next Saturday, kick off 3pm.
Team:
Hill; Stark, Challenger, Ireland, Usher; Tate, Clark (capt); Dunning, Chapple, Priestley, Williams, Downing, Tatham, Bartsch, Price.
Subs: May, Barnsdale.
Tries: Stark, Dunning.
Conversion: Clark.
Rob Wildman
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