The call is CHAMPIONS

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV Report v Syston

Won 40-29

2’s finish the season with another victory

With only 9 of last week’s starting line available to play because of 1st team call ups, injuries, and unavailability’s it was a much changed side that ran out at Kelham Road for the last game of the Season. This included debutants Ben Davies and Jack Clayton ( 2 of our colts)

The game started well for the home side and within five minutes they had opened the scoring. Really good support play from forwards and backs led to Jack Clayton crashing over for his first senior try. ‘Cannonball’ added the extras 7-0.

More good approach play from Newark followed, Harry Adams and Hugh Faulkner made good yardage before young Jack Clayton was on hand to score his second try.

Syston had hardly touched the ball in the first 15 minutes, Newark were in total control and following a superb catch and drive by the pack No 8 Dave Garland added a third try to give Newark a very healthy lead of 19-0.

It looked like it was going to be a very comfortable Saturday afternoon for the 2’s.

To their credit Syston did hit back and after a series of good controlled phases their left winger reduced the arrears. But shortly before half time Tom O’Leary playing at 10 for the first time this season produced a great step and charge to the line to give Newark a 26-5 lead at the interval.

After the break Newark continued as they had finished the first half, Jed Chapple was next on the score sheet. From another catch and drive at the lineout Syston looked like they had stopped the drive then suddenly Jed emerged with the ball on the blind side and ran in unopposed. From a difficult angle Cannonball added the 2 points.

More pressure from the home side continued and when Syston tried to take a quick line out in their own 22, Hugh Faulkner was on hand to make the tackle, the ball popped up and hooker Chapple was on hand to score his second of the afternoon.

O’Leary converted again from a difficult angle, he was really ‘on fire’ with his boot, it was now 5 from 6 and individually 15points in total.

No surprise then, when he was named Man of the Match.

Newark 40 Syston 5.

Still 25 minutes to play, Newark were in total control or so they thought.

However Syston had other ideas.

For the remainder of game the home side found themselves on the back foot and visitors grew in confidence.
First it was a missed tackle-try to the opposition, then straight from the restart another try. 40-19.

More pressure and Newark conceded another try and then unbelievably yet another, were Newark going to throw the game away?

Thankfully the referees whistle came to the rescue and Newark had won a very strange encounter 40-29.

However it was yet another win and as skipper Staines highlighted after the game, to only have lost 3 games throughout the season, to score 1000 points and to win the pennant- it’s been an outstanding season for Newark 2’s

Next week No game but everybody needs to get down and support the 1’s against Ilkeston.

Please remember its ‘Sock’ night and the call is CHAMPIONS

Finally a date for your- diary 17th May Club Dinner. Make sure you are there to celebrate our success this year.