The squad included 9 Under 19’s

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV V Old Northamptonians
Won 42-19

2’s avenge defeat from early in the season

Having been beaten 62-5 earlier in the season by the Northampton side, Newark knew the return fixture was going to be a tough encounter.

The squad for the game included 9 Under 19’s with debut performances for the brothers Jordan and Callum Slack. However there was a great blend of experience and youth to the starting 15 and from the first whistle, the home side were determined to take the game to ON’s.
Some great attacking play combining forwards and backs resulted in an early score when Jonny Statham crashed over.

5-0

Newark continued to dominate the early exchanges and the forwards took control with some great surging runs from Daley Edwards, Dave Garland, James Newman and Devan Priestley.
Then from a line out on the ON’s 22 a great steal from new boy Kash at the line out good hands from Dave Garland and there was hooker Ted Bunn (first game this season) on hand to score and make it 12-0 to the home side

From the restart, ON’s really took the game to Newark and for the next 15 minutes all the play was in the home sides 22. But some great defending from the boys in blue meant the visitors were pointless. (the only negative was that Dave Garland was shown a yellow card)Then from a scrum, a break by Daley Edwards, quick ruck ball and some slick hands gave the ball to youngster Callum Slack who then produced a stunning 30 metre sprint to outpace the visitors and score a third try for Newark.

With a minute to go before half time more strong running from the forwards well-orchestrated by scrum half Max Chapple and then again quick ball found Jonny Statham in space to score his second try of the afternoon.
Half time score 22-0.

It had been a terrific 40 minutes from the Newark lads, great defence and 4 super tries.

Half time and Newark made changes to allow the youngsters on the bench valuable game time. On came Jordan Slack and Jack Clayton.
However the second half did not start well and from a missed tackle in the centres play moved up to the Newark line and then from the scrum the ON’s No8 scored a push over try for the visitors.

Back came Newark and from some adventurous play by the backs, the Slack brothers combined well together to allow Callum to score his second try of the afternoon.

More changes and on came youngsters Tom Crosby, Alex Scott and George Coslett.

The game really opened up now as both sides were trying to play more adventurous rugby. Inevitably when this happens mistakes happen and it was ON’s who took advantage of some sloppy tackling to reduce the arrears to 27-12.

Back came Newark and from a super break from Callum Slack the ball was moved to winger Richard Grant to score his debut try for the 2’s. Shortly afterwards the young winger looked like he was going to score a second try, only for him to be tackled a metre short but in support was centre Curtis Marshall to take the ball and score a seventh try for the home side.

ON’s refused to lie down and they kept working hard, and from a scrum in the Newark 22 a lovely break from their fly half allowed them to score a third try.

Then in the final minutes more expansive play and slick handling from the Newark backs gave Callum Slack his opportunity to score his third try of the afternoon and make the final score 42-19.

It had been a pretty impressive debut for the youngster!!!

It had been a good afternoon for the home side. Some quality controlled rugby particularly in the first half and some excellent defence.

To see all the young lads pull on the blue shirt and play Senior rugby is a great sight and to have the support of the experienced players in the team is what second team rugby is all about.
Long may it continue

As far as man of the match was concerned there were several in with a shout and it was a very tough decision. (Thanks Stainsey) James Newman, Dave Garland, Jonny Statham (2 tries), Callum Slack (3 tries on debut) were all worthy contenders but eventually it was given to Daley Edwards for all his hard running and defence particularly in the first half.

Next up the Medics in a double header- a very important pennant game