From the onset, Newark set the tempo of the game

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV V Market Rasen

Won 29-10

2’s avenge early season defeat

Newark 2’s produced a great team performance to beat top of the table Market Rasen and avenge the defeat inflicted upon them by the Lincolnshire side from earlier in the season.

Newark, as usual had changes to their starting squad - in came Alex Jackson, Jack Clayton and Andy Hill and youngsters Richard Grant, George Coslett and Sam Cranswick (the latter two making their senior debuts for the club)

From the onset, Newark set the tempo of the game- driving runs from the experienced pack, in particular Adam Downing, Jamie Duncan and Neil Clark which then produced quality ball for the backs to run at the Rasen defence. After 10 minutes Newark got their reward when after a forward drive Max Chapple attacked the blind side to find big brother on hand and Ged crashed over the line for the first points.

Newark continued their dominance for the next 10 minutes and after some good approach play including a terrific run from centre Richard Thompson, they were awarded a penalty- Neil Clark took the penalty quickly and dived over to double the away side lead. (his third try in three games).

Market Rasen had seen little of the ball so far but they now started to exert pressure on the Newark line, but the boys in blue defence held firm. However just when it looked like they had stopped the home team from scoring-from broken play a ball was spun wide and the Rasen left winger took a good line and burst through 2 tackles to score and make it 10-5.

Newark responded brilliantly, from the kick a wayward kick was fielded by Byrom, who fed Max Chapple who the found Tom Hill in space on the half way line. A lovely delicate kick from the Newark winger, which then bounced into his hands, two great side steps and he was under the posts for a first rate individual try.

Half time Newark 17 Rasen 5.

So to the second half, the next score was going to be crucial and thankfully it went to the away side and involved some really slick handling. It started on the right wing with Chapple junior and Byrom and then involved most of the backs and eventually found the youngster James Newman who then powered his way over two Market Rasen players to score a tremendous team try and earn Newark a much needed bonus point.

With 30 minutes left on came the Newark cavalry in the shape of youngsters Cranswick, Coslett and Clayton and all them can be really pleased with their contribution they made to the remainder of the second half.

Newark continued to dominate and scored another quality team try. From a great break by Richard Thompson the ball went left and then right before centre Jonny Statham powered his way through two tackles to run 30 metres and extend the lead to 29-5.
Market Rasen, to their credit came back ‘fighting’ for the remainder of the half but some resolute defence from Newark stopped any come back from the home team. The quality of the tackling was tremendous and it made it difficult for Rasen to gain any momentum.

However with the last play of the game and a little bit of obstruction (missed by the ref) Rasen found a hole in the Newark defence to score and so make the final score 29-10.

It had been a quality team performance from Newark and reflected the efforts of all 18 players who had pulled on the blue and white shirt.

As far as man of the match, there were several contenders, Adam Downing, James Newman, Richard Thompson, Tommy Hill, Max Chapple were all worthy contenders but it eventually went to Neil Clark, whose tackling throughout the afternoon was of the very highest quality

Well done lads. Next week another tough one- Matlock away.