Notts Medics V Newark 2nd XV

Newark visited Notts Medics on Saturday, sadly with only 13 players after some late call-offs!! Thankfully the Medic’s helped out by loaning a couple of players but with the home side not having a front row which meant uncontested scrums, it was going to an interesting afternoon but what a game it was!!

With a strong pack Newark was clearly put at a disadvantage at scrum time but surprisingly the Medics were prepared to take on Newark up front and through the middle of the park with the No 8 orchestrating play.

Most of the possession took place between the two 10 metre lines for the first 20 minutes with little between the two sides in the opening exchanges. Medics did venture into Newark’s 22 but Newark threw up a solid well-structured defence which the home side failed to breakdown.
After numerous phases the ball was turned over and Newark broke out with a great carry and line break from skipper AJ but the attack broke down with some good line speed from the home side. The hard fought contest continued with Newark showing some grit with Nick Barton and Ollie Brown putting in some hefty crushing tackles.

As the game progressed it opened up and allowed some free flowing rugby, Josh Witton benefitting from the space made some useful ground. Despite some line gains and phases of excellent play from both sides the score remained at 0-0. Medics came close to scoring with a grub kick and chase but Ollie Brown somehow managed to get his body between the ball and attacking player and saved the try and saw off another failed probe into Newark’s 22.

The Newark defence continued to prove to be difficult to breakdown with every player putting their neck on the line, right to the smallest fella on the field Hydon Godfrey who’s’ terrier style tackles will bring down the biggest opposition which he did with no hesitation!! With 35 minutes on the clock and still no score Newark looked like they were in as they made a quick break, Ben Pindar carrying well, with good pace the ball found its way to Connor Slack who chipped over but ball took a change of direction off the bounce and the chance was lost.
The return from Medic’s took them back into Newark territory and the inevitable score came on the 38th minute with the Newark’s line caught with a gap in the centre, Medics were 7-0 up at the half time whistle.

Medics clearly came out with a change of plan and looked to use the width of the park they extended their score with two almost identical efforts down Newark’s right wing taking their score to 19-0 within 10 minutes of the start.

Newark reset realising the Medics change of plan and the drift defence started to work taking the steam out the Medic’s attack. Newark pressured well using quality kicks and the wind to gain good yardage, with a lineout on the 22 Newark lost the ball but Slack made a great interception as Medics tried to work the ball out of the 5 metre area.

19-7. From the kick off Newark pushed up and camped on the Medics 5 metre line and Slack went over as the Medic’s defence had been sucked in following some tremendous work and bruising phases from the pack. 19 – 14 with Andy Hill making his second conversion.

Newark were taken down to 14 players following a Medics injury and a loan player filling his place, with no full back Newark found themselves stretched in defence particularly as the home side tested them with the kick and chase which resulted in them extending their score to 26 – 14. With Newark running on empty Medics scored again 31 – 14. The game ended 7 minutes early to the agreement of both skippers due to a horrendous ankle injury to Medic’s centre Tim Davis who was left with his foot pointing in the wrong direction after a heavy hit at the ruck.

A truly wonderful game of rugby to watch, both sides played with fantastic spirit and commitment and respect to each other, thanks to the Medic’s lads who donned a Newark shirt and we hope and wish for a speedy recovery to Tim Davis.

Thanks to the referee Tom Mawhood who did a wonderful job, in our view the best Newark had seen all season!!

Report by Mick Barton

Checked by Gareth Bartsch