What were Newark doing?

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV Report v Derby

Won 20-19

A very hard fought win

With a much depleted side because of injuries and unavailability’s the 2’s produced another gritty and hard fought pennant victory against N/L/D rivals Derby. Having lost both games last year to Derby everybody knew it was going to be a difficult game and so it proved.

The game started well for Newark some good forward pressure and a break by converted centre Ben Lovelace resulted in a penalty kick which Dan Wilson converted.
However within 4 minutes everything had completely changed. A dropped pass and missed tackles let Derby in for a converted try and from the kick off the visitors centre ran through countless tackles to make it 14-3 after 10 minutes.
What were Newark doing?
Clearly not tackling!

However, from the restart. Newark were awarded a penalty, quick thinking and a quick tap from the "youngster" Matt Cove who made great yardage and from the ensuing ruck, scrum half and man of the match Ben Ennals scored.

12 minutes gone, Newark 10 Derby 14.

What an amazing start.

Eventually the game started to settle down - Newark forwards started to dominate but Derby’s backs always looked very threatening. With several odd decisions being made by the referee the next 15 minutes were very even, but from a forward surge Newark cut the arrears with a further penalty from Dan Wilson.
Then just before half time Newark's forwards and backs linked well and from a lovely weighted pass from skipper Staines, Tom Hill took a great line and went under the posts.

Half time score Newark 20 Derby 14.

The second half produced attacking play from both sides but unlike the first half defence was the key word and both sides defended resolutely.

As time ticked by Newark had the chance to seal the win but this time fly half Wilson missed the penalty kick.

As the referee announced it was the ‘last play’ the Derby centre put in a chip and chase kick and all Newark had to do was gather the ball and get it off the pitch.
Somehow they failed to do it and Derby scored. 20-19 to Newark with the conversion to come.

As breaths were held the Derby 10 stepped up knowing the kick would win the game for the visitors. Thankfully he missed and Newark had deservedly won 20-19.

Great performance lads.

Forwards massively dominant, Naylor and Fotheringham terrific.
Backs, brilliant second half defence, Ennals and Brittain very impressive.

With this sort of gritty and determined performance winning the Pennant league is definitely a possibility.

But we need to have everybody available and free from injury.

Next week a long travel to Ashbourne