Pennant Champions

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV Report v Derby

Won 27-5

Pennant Champions

It has been a long hard season with many tight and hard fought victories but on Saturday the 2nd XV were crowned N/L/D Pennant Champions 2013-2014, thanks to a great victory away against Derby.

Earlier in the season we had beaten Derby by just one point so we knew it was going to be a tough game.

Newark started well with some strong running by the forwards, Garland, Tinsley, Priestley and Adams leading the way.
However silly penalties allowed the home team to clear their lines and frustrate Newark

Then from a break down the blindside by the Derby No8 the ball was intercepted by right winger Tom Hill and he galloped free to score Newark’s first try after 20 minutes.

'Cannonball’ O’Leary added the extra two to give Newark a 7-0 lead.

This lucky break seemed to galvanise the Newark side and from a quick tap penalty by scrum half Ben Ennals, forwards and backs interlinked well for Dave Fotheringham to score a second try.

Newark’s forwards really started to dominate at every set piece- the young front row of Priestley, Chapple and Tinsley were giving their opposition a torrid time, Primmett and Staines were in control at the lineout and it was only a matter of time before they scored again.

This time it was No 8 and man of the match Dave Garland who scored and extended the lead to 17-0 at half time.

Newark started the second half as they had finished the first- in control, and from great pressure on the Derby line the ‘old man’ of the team Richard Byrom crashed over the line to give Newark their fourth and bonus point try.

Ten minutes later skipper Mark Staines added a fifth try from a superb catch and drive maul. (His 13th of the season!!!)

What a fantastic contribution from the skipper both on and off the pitch.

To their great credit, Derby dug deep and started to play some of their best rugby and following a good series of phases ( and a couple of missed tackles!!!) the Derby 15 managed to force his way over the line to reduce the arrears.

However their efforts had come too late and when the final whistle was blown, it was Newark 27 Derby 5 and Newark were Pennant champions.

Played 16 Won 12 Drew 2 Lost 2

Well done lads.

Next week, final game of the season against Syston at home, lets finish with a win!!!