THE HOME SIDE HAD A HUGE PACK

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd xv v Mellish 1st XV

Lost 17-7

A real ‘gutsy’ performance

Once again the dreaded ‘unavailabilities’ and 1st team call ups meant only 6 of last week’s starting team were able to start this friendly fixture against Mellish. In came Richard Evans, Trigger, Josh Witton, Ollie Brown, Craig Barnsdale, Jordan Slack, Charlie Fisher, and youngster Richard Byrom!.

After all the dry weather we have had at the start of the season, Saturdays game was definitely a very wet and cold affair. The home side who had a huge pack made it clear from the start that they were going to use the elements to their advantage and kept the game very tight and it was going to be ‘about 10 man rugby’.

The first 10 minutes of the game Newark spent defending and there was some great tackling, Coen, Slack, Brown and Clack leading the way. Just as it seemed like the visitors had stemmed the flow a break from the Mellish No8 led to the first try of the game and with the extra 2 points added, the home team were in front 7-0,

But back came Newark and following some strong work from the forward the ball found its way into Alex O’Dell’s hand who then put in a lovely chip through which allowed Rhys Overland to delicately kick the ball through, pick up and score a really good try, Alex added the conversion and it was all square after 25 minutes.

Mellish continued to use their forwards, but again resolute defence by the visitors kept the game level. Newark then lost Charlie Fisher to a shoulder injury (which allowed replacement Jake Turner to make his senior debut), Just before half time another forward surge led to Mellish taking the lead when their big second row charged over the line. 12-7. Newark again rose to the challenge and when skipper Tom Coen made a 40 yard break it looked like Newark were going to score again but he just couldn’t find the final pass to his support runners

Half time and the rain continued to fall, but at 12-7 it was still ‘any bodies’ game. Shortly after the start of the second half, Newark lost their second player scrum half Alex O’Dell to an ankle injury and were down to 14 players. Not long after, all the pressure from the home side was made to count and their No 8 scored his second try of the game 17-7.

Newark continued to defend with terrific heart and passion, Neil Mckenna producing a try saving tackle on the very impressive Mellish No 8. 25 minutes into the second half Newark then had a third player carried off, this time it was Josh Witton who had had a great game in the second row. Down to only 13 players and with torrential rain coming down the referee decided enough was enough and the game was finished early. It had been a really ‘gutsy’ performance from the Kelham road players and although they had lost they had given their best.

Contenders for man of the match, all of the back row Tom Coen, who was terrific in the loose, Ollie Brown for a real workmanlike performance at No 7, and Craig Barnsdale at 6 for his work at the breakdown BUT eventually it went to Josh Clack for his outstanding defensive work.

Massive thanks also to Rhys Overland for answering an SOS call at the very last minute.

Next up Bugbrooke away, more of the same please lads but this time we need to win