Newark dominated the second half

Report Written by Richard Byrom

2nd XV Report v Medics

Won 35-10

2’s win important double header

After Notts Medics had been unable to fulfil the fixture from earlier in the season Saturday’s game now became a double header and was in the words of skipper Staines ‘A MUST WIN GAME’.

It was nice to welcome back Darren Grey and Matthew Cox, both back from injury and also a debut for Cameron Curry

The game started in sunny conditions with a brisk wind blowing straight down the pitch. Medics took advantage of this and scored an early penalty, Newark responded and levelled thanks to the boot of Matthew Cox.

With Medics applying quite a bit of pressure due to strong wind, they scored, although it has to be said poor positioning from the Ref meant it was very difficult to tackle the player who scored.

10-3 to the Medics

The weather now took hold and for the next 20 minutes the game was played in appalling conditions of heavy rain and strong winds.

However this did not stop Newark and good controlled play led to a try from James Stark which was converted by Matt Cox and then he added a further try himself to make the half time score 15-10 to Newark.

Because of the horrific weather conditions the half time talk was held in the changing rooms, where it was clearly stated that control of the ball and forward dominance were the key to second half success.

Newark dominated the second half and a further penalty from Cox and tries from No 8 Gareth Bartch and scrum half Ben Ennals gave Newark a comfortable lead 28-10 going into the last 15 minutes.

The Medics very rarely got out of their own half in the second half, Newark’s forwards had a ‘stranglehold’ on the game.

Then with the final play of the game Matt Cox added a further try and conversion (giving him 20 points in total) and making the final score Newark 35 Medics 10.

As far as Man of the match there were quite a few contenders- Matt Cox, Darren Grey, Jamie Duncan but it went to newcomer Cameron Curry for a great performance at open side.