Newark started with some confident rugby

Newark 2's 42-19 Ilkeston 2's

Newark started with some confident rugby only to be held up over the line and Ilkeston cleared there lines well. We kept the pressure on and after 10 minutes Alex Nissim slotted a penalty to give us the Lead. Ilkeston came back strong and some poor tackling saw them take the lead 3-7.

The Ilkeston backs started to play some good flowing rugby only for Jonnie Statham to intercept a long pass and run in from his own 10meter line 10-7. from the restart Newark put Ilkeston under pressure and a good break down the line by Tom Hill nearly scored, but for a great cover tackle from the Ilkeston No 6. Newark maintained the pressure and from good Lineout play drove Ilkeston over for Captain Mark Staines to score 17-7.

Ilkeston rallied but when Alex Nissim and Isac Murphy made some hard takles, the ball was turned over and Jonnie Statham scored his second try of the game 22-7. The Newark lads then seemed to switch off and again poor tackling saw Ilkeston score in the corner 22-12.

Half time 22-12.

Straight from the re-start the away team came out fully intent on continuing the momentum and scored within 5 minutes 22-19. Newark then started playing some good flowing rugby and when Will Machin found a little space he Jinked his way through to score a good individual try 27-19. the game was evenally balance but with a quick tap penalty, Gareth Bartch flopped over in the corner to stretch the Newark Lead 32-19. Alex Nissim, playing well at flyhalf, scored a checky drop goal from under the posts after Newark had worked hard to keep Ilkeston pinned in there own 22 for a long period of play 35-19.

Ilkeston then lost 2 front row players in quick succession so the game went uncontested scrums for the last 15 minutes. Newark played some great attacking rugby with the backs combining well to put Ilkeston under a lot of pressure and when Jack Badley and Jonnie Statham linked up in the centre Jonnie put Tom Hill clear to run in and score the final try of the game. Alex Nissim scored the conversion to seal a good win for Newark 42-19.

Tries.

Jonnie Statham 2
Mark Staines 1
Gareth Bartch 1
Will Machin 1
Tom Hill 1

Penalties
Alex Nissim 1
Coversions
Alex Nissim 3
Drop Goals
Alex Nissim 1

Final score Newark 42-19 Ilkeston.

Mark Staines.