Newark were also very dominant

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV V Notts Medics

Won 41-10

2’s gain important victory

Having had the game against the Medics called off earlier in the season because they were unable to raise a team, Saturday’s game became a ‘double header’ with the winner securing two valuable wins in the pennant

For once this season it was nice to start with a similar XV to the previous week, however it was good to welcome Tommy Hill and Jamie Duncan back to the squad and there was also a debut for Connor Slack whose brothers Callum and Jordan had made their debuts last week.

The visitors started well and took the game to Newark and were rewarded when the home side were caught offside and from the resulting penalty, they took the lead 3-0.
However Newark responded very well and after some good forward surges the ball was spun wide and Curtis Marshall broke through a tackle, side stepped the full back and he was under the posts, Alex Scott converted and Newark were in front 7-3.

The forwards really started to dominate the set piece, the front row of Chappell, Jackson and Priestley were really making life difficult for the students. In the line out pin point accuracy from Jed, the lifters and the jumpers meant Newark were also very dominant.
From one of the line outs close to the medics line, the ball was caught and then driven over the try line, Kash had got his second try of the season.

The home side were really in control and shortly afterwards more good team play, particularly from skipper Fotheringham and Jamie Duncan allowed Johnny Statham to add a third try. 17-3 to Newark at half time.

It had been a decent half of rugby but resolute defence from the students and missed opportunities still meant that there was plenty of work to do

The second half started really well for the home side, first Curtis Marshall scored his second try of the afternoon after another great individual break.
Then from the restart Newark scored the best try of the afternoon, slick handling and great inter passing between forwards and backs and there was Alex Scott on hand to score his debut senior try.

Newark 29 Medics 3

However the students have to be commended, five tries down and the game lost they never stopped working and their efforts were rewarded when 20 minutes into the second half they scored and converted the try to reduce the arrears.

However with the youngsters off the bench, Newark continued to play with lots of energy and desire, both in defence and attack. In defence, Tom Crosby and Jordan Slack led the way and in attack it was Daley Edwards and Jack Clayton who added strength in attack.
Both scoring tries late on to make the final score 41-10 to the boys in blue

A good win had been secured and because it was a ‘double header’ it gave Newark 9 valuable pennant points, which takes them equal top.

There were plenty of contenders for man of the match, in the forwards, Jed Chappell, James Newman, and Daley Edwards all carried the ball well and Curtis Marshall had a very good game at centre and scored two tries, but eventually it went to our No 9 Max Chapple for a great all round performance both in attack and defence.

Once again it is a pleasure to report how well the youngsters in the team are integrating with the older more experienced members of the 2nd XV- it is great to see and long may it continue

Next up a local derby match against Paviors- another must win game.