It was top playing second

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV Report v Paviors

Won 22-5

2’s produce their best performance of the season

It is now eight wins on the bounce for the 2’s with a well-deserved victory over local rivals Paviors in a top of the table clash.
Everybody knew the importance of the game at Burnt Stump on Saturday it was top playing second and whoever won would take a significant step to winning the Pennant league.

The game started well for Newark with the forwards taking early control and some good strong running from centres Bryan Loftus and Kent Birch.

However resolute defence from Paviors kept Newark out. However eventually from a good scrummage, Gareth Bartch managed to force his way over the line and give the away team a priceless 5-0 lead.
But this did not last long and in true Paviors style they hit back quickly and from a good catch at the lineout and an impressive drive their No 8 went over to level the scores.

For the remainder of the first half the game ebbed and flowed Paviors had chances and then Newark had chances - the best being a fantastic 50 metre run from the ever improving Jamie Duncan who fed Dan Price who then off loaded to Ben Ennals who crashed over the try line only for the referee to call them back for a forward pass.

So it remained 5-5 at the break.

From the start of the second half Newark were on the offensive, with Dan Price and Dave Garland making some prominent runs. Eventually from one of these, Paviors infringed and Martin Brummitt stroked over the penalty and gave Newark an 8-5 lead.

Newark continued to dominate possession and once again from great forward running, the ball came out of the ruck into Martin Brummitt’s hands – a lovely dummy and a dart for the line and although he had Paviors players hanging on to him he showed great strength to get over the line.

He duly added the conversion and Newark were 15-5 up and seemingly in control.

It was now that players’ tempers started to boil over and from a messy ruck, Jamie Duncan found himself yellow carded and the Paviors No 13 was red carded for throwing a punch.

Newark were dominating all over the pitch and from a great run by Bryan Loftus, Dave Garland managed to sneak over the line, Mr Brummitt added the extra 2 points and it was 22-5 to Newark.

Unfortunately just as Newark were playing out the last 10 minutes and easing to a well earned victory, more silliness from players losing their temper and Bryan Loftus was shown a red card for throwing a punch - such a shame because he had played such an influential part in Newark’s victory.

Eventually, the final whistle and Newark had won 22-5.

It had been a first rate performance full of great teamwork and superb individual performances- Dave Shiels, Darren Gray, Dan Price were all worthy nominations for Man of the Match, but it was given to the silver fox Martin Brummitt for a great all round performance.

His kicking from hand, from the tee and his try were all crucial in Newarks success.

Its Ashbourne next week and we need another big performance to cement our position at the top of the pennant.