A GAME OF TWO HALVES

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

2nd Xv v Matlock Saturday 17th September

Newark continued their winning start to the season with a narrow 33-32 win over Matlock

With one 4 or 5 changes to last week’s team, in came Dan Padgett, Jon Swift, Jordan Hempstead, Neil McKenna and Harry Pick.

Newark started well and after 15 minutes we were up 14-0 with tries from Jon Swift and Jordan Hempsted. The forwards were dominating play on the park, both at line out and in the scrum and there was some good interlinking play between the forwards and backs. Dave Garland, Harry Pick, Alex Richards and Robbie Hunter Shaw leading the way.

However having started so well, Newark started to relax and suddenly the home team began to open up their attacking qualities and within the space of 10 minutes responded with a penalty and two tries of their own and it was now Matlock leading 15-14.

The game ‘see-sawed’ once again and it was then Newark who took control and in the ten minutes before half time produced their best spell of the game. We scored 3 really well worked tries through Matt Gibson (on as replacement for the injured Jaymee Duncan) Alex Jackson (from a great catch and drive) and Neil Clark. Jono Marshall converted 2 of 3 and this made the half time score Newark 33 Matlock 15.

Within a minute of the re-start, and Matlock had scored a converted try, although it must be said it was down to poor tackling from the men in blue and white - Game on!

To their credit Newark responded well and for the next 20 minutes ‘battered’ the Matlock line, but poor decision making and ‘white line fever’ meant the score remained the same. If the first half had been free flowing the second half then became very disjointed and lots of errors crept in from both sides.

Then with 3 minutes left the home side got a break away and scored to make it 33-27. Immediately from the re-start Matlock again broke through in midfield and when the No 12 broke several tackles to score the home teams 5th try it made the score 33-32. Thankfully the conversion was missed and Newark had won.

Although parts of the first half had promised much, this was a very mediocre performance from Newark and certainly there is plenty to work on and improve on for next week

Next up Derby away in the Pennant