A blend of youth and experience

Newark V Ilkeston

Sat 7th Sept won 51-0

Having been thumped by Ilkeston last year in the Pennant, a very tough game was expected and this was echoed in the build up to the game by skipper Mark Staines.

A blend of youth and experience had been selected for the first league game of the season –a strong squad.

Ilkeston kicked off and took the game to Newark and for the first five minutes really tested the home sides defence. However a misplaced touch kick from Ilkeston allowed Newark to launch an attack and Budda sliced through their defence to score a really good individual try to get the score board ticking.

Newark were dominant up front and after about 15 minutes young Jed Chapple scored his first try for the second XV driven over the line with the support of ‘Dermot’(Thomas) O’Leary. Lots of attacking opportunities then followed for Newark but resolute Ilkeston defence meant the score stayed at 12-0.

Then just before half time, a forward drive and quick ball was given to the backs and the ‘old man’ of the team picked a good line and scored under the posts 19-0 at half time.

After a stern team talk about wasted opportunities and improved support play , some fresh young legs were introduced - Devan Priestley, Joe Tinsley and Kent Birch making his debut for the club.

Good forward play and some lovely hands in the back allowed Dermot to score and this was followed very quickly by a second for the RAF man.

Newark were now starting to play some really good controlled rugby and Ilkeston looked shell shocked.

Budda, Bryan Loftus and Kent Birch were cutting holes everywhere, Craig Hawes and Devan were running through tackles for fun and Jacob Andrews was running and controlling the game at 9
.
Further scores were inevitable, Joe Tinsley, Bryan Loftus, and James Price all scored and skipper Staines finished off a tremendous flowing movement to complete the scoring and cap off a good all round performance.

It was just a pity we didn’t have a kicker on the day- only converting 3 of the 9 tries

Final score Newark 51 - Ilkeston 0.

Richard Byrom