Newark 2nds beaten but not humbled!

Team; Coote, Barnsdale, Dawson, Price D, Staines (Capt), Chapple, Spurr, Witton J, Dyson, Miller, Gallinski, Andrews, Sibilski, Edlin, Machin. Replacements; Stark, Wooldridge, O’Leary.

Yet again the 2nds fielded a changed team after losing players to the 1sts and injury. Early on things looked as dark as the weather for Newark as Syston started the game in a well drilled, controlled, aggressive attacking mode and showed their pedigree of being in a division above Newark.

Athough Newark defended bravely after 6 minutes they surrendered a penalty which was stroked over from 45 meters in a driving wind by the visitors very assured place kicker. Two minutes later Newark lost Max Spurr with a broken nose to be replaced by Tom O’Leary. After a further 3 minutes absorbing massive pressure Newark gave away another penalty that was slotted easily, taking the visitors into a 6 point lead.

Some motivating words by Captain Staines created a change of attitude in Newark and from the kick they took the game to the visitors pushing them deep into their own half. The pressure nearly paid immediate dividends as a penalty was won but Miller stroked it wide. However a couple of minutes later a second penalty was won and Miller made no mistake to bring the scores to 3 – 6.

The game was now more evenly balanced and we were treated to some good interchanges of play, the wet conditions contributing to some bad spills which Newark particularly suffered from. The well schooled and marshalled Syston side were tighter behind their eight and kept their passes swift but short and their positive running stretched the Newark defence and they eventually scored a fine converted try after 32 minutes of play. Newark responded well from the restart and kept Syston pinned back in their own half and although they won a penalty on the stroke of half time it was fractionally of target. Score at half time NRFC 2nds 3 Syston 13.

At the restart Syston charged with renewed energy and aggression and had Newark reeling, however defence was strong and they fought their way back into the game. However the visitors were more aggressive on the ground and lack of control at the base of the scrum and loose ball gave Syston the opportunity to pin Newark back and they were reduced to defending their line for 10 minutes. The pressure was relentless and after many assaults on the line a sudden quick ball out wide, slickly passed through 6 pairs of hands saw Syerston score their second try out wide which was again converted by their excellent kicker. Syston were now threatening to dominate, score 3 – 20.

As heads started to drop behind the uprights Staines again rallied his troops and from the kick they charged into the visitors half and applied their own pressure. Some sloppy handling saw several attacks come to naught and caused work for the midfield. But Sibilski led the defence well, Galinski, Stark, Edlin, Miller and Machin (making a fine debut performance) all tackled like Trojans and quashed Systons quick fire counter attacks. Wooldridge at scrum half started to make a difference by tidying up at the base of the scrum and controlling the rucks and mauls with authority.

Good ball secured and then run wide left, switched back right, found Staines in space and he lifted his antique knees high and charged in from 24 meters to score yet another Staines special, under the visitors posts. Wooldridge converted and Newark were back in the game at 10 points to 20.

The next 15 minutes was fought on even terms, attacks, defence and counter attacks delighted the small but loyal crowd and although Syston won another penalty which was completed by Mr Nevermiss, the game ended 10 – 23, a loss but pride intact.

All the Newark players rose to the challenge and played for each-other, a great display under the circumstances. Bring on Mansfield in the Pennant next week.
Martyn L-S