Stern words at half time!

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV V Market Rasen

Lost 15-29

2’s lose for first time

It was always going to be a tough encounter when 2 sides that were unbeaten faced each other and it was unfortunately for Newark the away team who eventually came out winners

Newark, as usual had changes to their starting squad- in came Joe Tinsley, Ryan Fisher and Max Spurr and new dad of twins Dave Shiels.

Market Rasen started well and from opening pressure, a penalty was awarded and they duly took the lead 3-0. Back came the home team and responded well by levelling the scores 3-3 courtesy of Curtis Marshall.

For the next 20 minutes Newark dominated play and had several good opportunities to score but resolute defence from Rasen and poor finishing from Newark kept the scores level. Then against the run of play, a strike against the head and then a missed tackle in the middle of pitch led to Rasen scoring a try.

Shortly afterwards another lapse in concentration and the away team were amazingly 15-3 at half time.

Stern words at half time - the need for greater concentration and more aggressive rucking at break downs. Newark came out of the blocks in the second half and really took the game to Rasen and within twenty minutes Newark’s man of the match Jamie Duncan had scored twice and with Max Spurr converting one of the tries, the scores were level 15-15.

Newark were now in the ascendency and when Dave Shiels, Ryan Fisher and Dan Harrison combined well down the blind side it looked like they were going to take the lead. But somehow Rasen managed to stop them.

Then from a dropped pass, the ball found itself in the Rasen’s right wingers hands and he somehow managed to evade 3 Newark defenders and touch down to give the away side a lead 22-15.
Very soon afterwards this became 29-15. Even though there were ten minutes left Newark were unable to reply and this is how it finished

It had been a disappointing afternoon; Newark had had plenty of chances during the game but had only converted 2 of them, on the other hand Rasen had taken every opportunity that they had been given. Also it seemed the visitors had a greater desire and intensity in their play- Perhaps something for the Newark players to reflect on.

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