Newark arrived keen to do battle

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd XV V Kettering

Lost 33-12

First game of the new season and you would have probably expected to send a full strength squad to Kettering. However this was not the case on Saturday as many experienced players were unavailable. Nevertheless Newark arrived keen to do battle with a much changed side.

There were debuts for Spencer Caudwell. Oli Brown, Nick Barton and Neil McKenna. Also at the last minute Lee Gillatt Rhys Overland and Trigger stepped up on Friday night to help out-thanks lads

The afternoon could not have started any worse for Newark. Matt Gibson was injured in the warm up (twisted ankle) and then after only about 10 minutes they then lost Toby Edlin (dislocated shoulder)

However resolute defence kept Kettering’s early pressure at bay, particularly from the back row of Barnsdale, Price and youngster Brown, helped by some terrific tackling in midfield from Neil McKenna. However just as Newark were starting to apply pressure of their own, fly half Alex Scott got injured in a tackle and then Craig Barnsdale was given a yellow card.

It was only a matter of time before all the pressure applied from the home side would count and after 25 minutes Kettering took the lead when their No 6 crashed over, Not long after they doubled their lead when an overlap allowed Kettering’s 13 to score.
Newark continued to battle and good breaks from James Price and Spencer Caudwell seemed to give the men in blue a glimmer of a chance. However on the stroke of half time Kettering added a 3rd try and so they led 19-0 at the break.

At the interval youngster Scott and hooker Gillatt had to leave the field, With no further replacements Kettering very kindly provided 2 players Rob (2nd row) and Arron (winger) to make sure Newark had 15 players. Thanks to both of them

Newark started the half well and the forwards really started to put pressure on the opposition and just when it looked like they might score silly mistakes and poor tackling let the home side in for their fourth score 26-0 to Kettering.
However Newark bounced back and some good strong running from Dan Price and Alex Jackson and the some slick handling in the backs allowed Arron (loaned Kettering player) to score, Spencer Caudwell added the extra 2 points.

Motivated by the score Newark really took the game to the home side and after some great interplay between forwards and backs this allowed James Stark to score.

26-12.

Newark it seemed were back in the game, however unfortunately from the restart, a turnover and then missed tackles allowed Kettering to score. 33-12.

With 10 minutes left Newark continued to press but good defence from the home side meant there were no further scores.
It had been a tough day for the men in blue unavailabilities and then a string of injuries.
However Newark showed true grit and determination throughout the 80 minutes and produced a real team performance. As far as man of the match, both youngsters Brown and Caudwell made very impressive debuts but James Price was given M of M for his great work rate in defence

Next week its Pennant time and our first fixture of the new campaign against local rivals Market Rasen at Kelham Road. Let’s hope we have more players available next week.