A tremendous second half performance from the Newark men

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV Report v Kettering

Won 37-17

2’s produce a stunning second half performance

Yet again more changes had to be made to the starting 15 because of injuries and unavailability’s but nevertheless having beaten Kettering earlier in the season hopes of another victory remained high.

However things could not have started worse for Newark, errors in defence and a gift of an interception try meant that the home team were up 10-0 after 10 minutes. Kettering were dominant in all areas of the game and Newark were really struggling to get into the game.

But slowly things started to improve - several great powerful runs by Man of the Match Bryan Loftus which were well supported by Dave Garland, Gareth Bartch and Ben Ennals.
A penalty from Dan Wilson and a superb individual try from Joe Tinsley meant the half time score was 10-8 to Kettering.

The half time talk asked for greater support play and off-loading in the tackle and this is exactly what happened in the second half.

Newark really took the game to Kettering and it was not long before they took the lead.

Good interplay from forwards and backs led to a Dan Wilson try which was converted, Newark in front 15-8.
Very shortly afterwards a well worked break from the base of the scrum led to a 50 metre run from Craig Hawes who ran over several defenders to score.

Next on the score sheet was Jamie Duncan (who has missed several games this season because of injury) a good break from the oppositions 22 and he powered his way over the line.
Newark were now dominant in all areas, and again after good play from forwards and backs a simple overlap was created for Tom Hill to score. 32-10 to Newark.

The sixth and final try of the second half came after some strong running by the Newark pack which was finished off when skipper Mark Staines scored his tenth try of the season.

However the game was not finished and with the very last play of the game Kettering at last let their backs loose and they scored to make the final score Newark 37 Kettering 17.

It had been a tremendous second half performance from the Newark men (probably the best of the season)
A Special mention to youngster Hugh Faulkner who filled in very well at Centre.

All that was left to do now was to enjoy the evening festivities courtesy of the SOCK

With Dronfield already ‘crying off’ next week’s fixture it is unlikely that the 2’s will play again till the New Year when they take on local rivals Mansfield in the Pennant.

It has been an excellent first half of the season lets hope they can maintain this winning mentality in the second half of the season and win the Pennant