THE HOME SIDE REALLY STEPPED UP THEIR GAME

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd xv v Market Rasen

Won 45-0

A good all round team performance

Having lost the first game of the season to Kettering the 2nd team bounced back in real style with a good all round performance in their first pennant game of the season

In a team that showed 9 changes from last week, in came Will Naylor (first game in over a year) Skipper Dave Fotheringham, Tom Crosby, Jacob Andrews, Dave Garland, Jonny Statham, Joe Green (debut), Robbie Hunter Shaw and Daley Edwards

Newark started well and their early dominance led to a penalty and a grateful 3 points from the boot of youngster Alex Scott. The forwards were in total control and after some strong runs from the Price brothers the ball was fed to fly half Scott who threw a lovely dummy went through the hole and looked like he was going to score only to throw the ball out to Dave Garland who had an easy walk over for the first try.

Back came the visitors with some strong forward surges but excellent tackling from Tom Crosby and Dave Fotheringham kept them at bay. Then after 20 minutes some lovely back play allowed winger Neil Mckenna to scamper over for his first ever try for Newark.

Newark continued to dominate play and some great breaks from Jacob Andrews and Jonny Statham should have led to further tries but excellent defence and a bit of ‘white line fever’ meant the score remained 13-0. However on the stroke of half time a lovely break down the blind side from J price and Andrews led to Joe Green sidestepping his way over the line for his first senior try for Newark.

After the break the home side really stepped up their game and at last were able to convert pressure into points. Terrific support play allowed Tom Crosby to increase the lead further and then Robbie Hunter Shaw finished off another lovely piece of inter play between forwards and backs. Newark were in total control 30-0 up.

Market Rasen rallied and some strong running allowed them to get into the home sides 22, however excellent defence stopped them from scoring. Newark’s scrummage was now starting to apply real pressure, Hempstead Naylor and Jackson were giving their opposition a tough time.

After Rasen had briefly rallied Newark finally grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. A quickly taken penalty by Andrews led to an easy walk in for Jonny Statham and then a lovely counter attack by Hunter Shaw allowed Scott to score try number 7. The final try of the afternoon came from Daniel price to make the score 45-0 to the men in blue and white.

It had been a very satisfying all round team performance.
There were lots of contenders for man of the match, youngsters Hempstead and Green both played well, Garland was impressive in his makeshift position of 12. Hunter Shaw made some great runs at full back. Andrews and Scott controlled the game very well at 9 and 10.
But Man of the match went to Crosby for his outstanding tackle count.

Lets hope this form continues next week and players unavailability’s do not disjoint the side too much.

Next up Matlock away in the pennant