A fantastic team performance

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV V Derby

Won 15-7

A battling performance

After the past two weeks game had been cancelled Newark arrived at Derby eager to play and continue their Pennant campaign. However the side selected on Tuesday evening looked nothing like the side that turned out on Saturday. First team injuries, unavailability’s and last minute call offs meant it was a much changed side.

In came Sam Andrews, Matt Gibson, Ryan Fisher, Joe Moody and Harry Hobbs and there were 2014 debuts for Daley Edwards, Craig Barnsdale and Richard Grant.

Newark started the game well and dominated the early exchanges- The forwards were dominant and were well marshalled by scrum half Max Chapple (who continues to grow in confidence every game).

The line out was functioning really well, Jed’s throwing was spot on and from a catch and drive and persistent pressure on the Derby line, eventually Alex Jackson drove over the line.

Newark 5-0 up.

Back came Derby and from a scrum on the 22 the Derby full back looked like he was going to score but a last ditch tackle from Curtis Marshall saved the day.

However Newark started to apply pressure of their own and there were some great driving runs from Jonny Statham and skipper Mark Staines.

The back row of Jamie Duncan, Ryan Fisher and Daley Edwards were starting to dominate in the loose and with the last play of the first half Derby were adjudged offside in the backs and Curtis Marshall gratefully added the three points to give Newark an 8 point lead at the interval.

Derby came out ‘all guns blazing’ in the second half but some resolute defending by the away team kept the scores the same and then from a midfield scrum the Derby 15 broke free but again was denied with a last ditch tackle from the old man at the back Richard Byrom.

Spurred on by this Daley Edwards went on a rampaging run over 50 metres and Newark were on the front foot again. But Derby’s defence was also functioning well and a second try remained elusive.

However eventually from some broken play the Derby 9 broke through and then drew the last defender to give the No 12 a simple run in, with the conversion going over –it was 8-7 and game on.

18 minutes to play.

From the restart, Derby recycled the ball very quickly and almost scored a second try in the space of 2 minutes. However Newark held on and gradually worked their way down the pitch and for the next 10 minutes dominated the play, the Newark forwards were in control.

Jed Chapple got over the line but was adjudged to be held up.

Derby could do nothing to counter the pick and drive and with minutes to go man of the match Daley Edwards crashed his way over the line and when Curtis added the extra 2 points it was Newark 15 Derby 7, and it stayed this way till the final whistle.

It had been a fantastic team performance from the boys in blue; all 17 players had battled for 80 minutes and meant it was a great Pennant victory

Next week it’s another Pennant fixture against Ilkeston at home.

We need another performance like todays game!!!!

And lads don’t forget its SOCK NIGHT