Newark started well and applied good pressure

Newark produce their best performance of the season

With no 1st XV game, it was great for the 2nd XV to have a home game at Kelham Road, supported by a partisan crowd against local rivals Southwell.

Newark started well and applied good pressure with some excellent forward surges. The deadlock was broken when the prominent James Price broke down the blind side, was tackled a few metres short of the line but popped the ball up to scrum half Ben Ennals to score.

Five minutes later Newark doubled their lead when the impressive Ennals broke down the blind side from a scrum drew 2 defenders in and provided a simple run in for youngster Sam Dobson. Alex Scott added the extra two points.

Southwell responded well and pressurised the Newark line but resolute defence from the home side prevented any scores. Newark having weathered the storm came back and after some great forward running from Jon Webster, James Price and Dave Garland, Alex Scott found some space to put Ed Poulson over the line for a well worked team try. Nick Moore added a further try just before half time to make it 22-0 at the break.

The second half started as the first had ended with the home side in charge -The forwards were dominating the loose and fly half Alex Scott was controlling play with some good tactical kicking. It was only a matter of time before further tries came and it was skipper Dave Fotheringham who scored.

Although the visitors stuck to their task well they were finding it very difficult to break the Newark defensive line, when they did full back Josh Clack produced a try saving tackle to thwart them. As Southwell began to tire further Newark tries followed from Josh Clack and a second for Dave Fotheringham to make the score 39-0.

From the kick off, a dropped pass followed by poor defence at the scrummage allowed the ’red men’ to get on the score sheet, with the try being converted 39-7.
With the final play of the game a great break by hooker Ben Huddlestone should have led to a further score but the final pass ended up on the floor and with it the whistle for full time.

It had been a very good all round team performance from Newark, with many individuals showing well. Dave Garland and Ben Ennals had been dominant at 8 and 9, Alex Scott impressive at 10, Josh Clack very solid at 15 but for his all-round contribution,
Man of the Match went to youngster Ed Poulson.

Well done everybody

Next up Ashbourne away in the Pennant