Newark 2nds V Notts Medics

Following disappointment in Derbyshire Newark 2nds looked forward to their home fixture against the youthful Notts Medics, but once again several changes had to been made to the Newark starting line-up.

Newark were put under pressure from the start has they tried to find their feet and cope with the pace of the Medics, camped in their 22 Newark defended well but finally conceded a try when the Medics showing good passing and handling skills cracked Newark’s line to find a gap to open the door and score 0-7 with the simple conversion. Newark responded well realising that power and strength was the way to take the game to the visitors. The Medic’s lightweight pack were shy when to the big contact area’s and Newark took full advantage driving a maul 40 metres from the half way line deep into the visitors 22, where the ball found its way into hands Newark’s wing Charlie Fisher who went over the whitewash in the corner, 5-7.
Medics were comfortable in open play and with ball in hand making good territory gains which put Newark on the back foot, pinned on the goal line and conceding a penalty scrum the Medic’s scrum half drifted across defence finding a gap in the Newark wall to go back into the lead 5-14. Newark’s progress into the Medic territory at times was slow, plenty of commitment and grit which spilled over into conceding penalties and yardage. Medics scored again just before half time, yet another penalty which was simply run in from the base of the scrum. 5-21.

The second half started with Medics again being allowed to run with the ball resulting in the score being extended 5-26. Newark then suffered another blow when Ben Ennals was red carded for a bit of off-the-ball niggling! Newark then finally realised the way forward was to play the hard hitting close contact rugby and use the power they had up front, Rich Premmitt finally got the ball over the line after some bruising pick and drives 10-26. The game went out of Newark’s reach when the Medics added two further scores and the game finished 10-40. A game in which Newark showed their usual commitment may have just slipped away with poor game management!!
Noted performance was from the terrier Hyden Goddrey