Southwell 2nds V Newark 2nds

Newark were outstanding in hostile Southwell territory on Saturday, the home side were clearly up for the game and so were Newark who matched the home side in aggression and commitment in the early exchanges. Jordan Slack showed this in his early contact with Southwell’s backs who certainly knew they had their ribs tickled as Newark defended their 22, but a poor exit strategy let the Red men in to their delight to take the lead 5-0. Newark’s set piece proved to be the key to opening Southwell defence both the line out and scrum worked well and it was not long before Newark drew the defence in leaving Jordan Slack open wide on the right wing, Scotty (Alex) floated a delightful kick straight into Slacks hands, score levelled 5-5. Newark extended their lead a few minutes later when Scott broke Southwell’s line before he fired the ball nicely into the path of Josh Clack who went in to score his first try for the 2nds, with Scott adding the 2 points 5-12. Of course Southwell came back in their evitable vocal manner trying every trick in the book to wind up Newark. Southwell scored and converted 12-12 and added a further score 5 mins before half time, but this is where it went wrong for the home side, the ‘red’ mist descended, the ‘red’ card was waved and No8 of the ‘Red’ men was no more……3 reds don’t make a right…..and Josh Clack felt the pain after being hit square in the back at full pace following the try and the whistle which had gone for the score…….it left the Ref with no option!! The game restarted on the half line with a Newark penalty and Newark finished of the half with a scrum in Southwell’s 22 Alex Richardson crashed over 19-17 and the trusty boot of Scott made it 19-19.

Newark's halftime team talk was calm and collective and business like, this set the scene really for a ‘total performance’ by Newark. Southwell with only 14 on the field never looked like scoring has Newark dominated the scum sometimes embarrassing the home side as they gave metres at a time to the drives and power Newark’s pack unleashed on them. With scums sorted and going Newark’s way the lineout added another element where the home side struggled, it was exceptional display of lineout management with the hand of ‘Kash’ stealing everyone……….brilliant!! So with the pack working well and setting up the play is was left to the backs to now decide how many points they wanted….the link between Alex O’Dell and Alex Scott was superb , the first score of the second half came from a penalty Scott kicked with ease. The try fest then came as the Red lads feel apart they had no answer to Jordan Slack who along with his with brother Callum broke Southwell’s line with cracking lines to add a further 3 tries in the game, Dave Garland chipped in with two classy efforts after his usual blend of pick and goes and darting runs. Scotty was just there taking every kick with confidence what more could you want…..Oh…….Southwell wanted the whistle to end the 19-51 rout.
Everyone deserves a mention for what was a truly awesome performance in which on their home soil Southwell was weighed measured and found wanting.