Newark V Paviors

Paviors 2nds showed up with their typical grit and determination ready for a fight. Once again Newark had suffered a number of changes from the last week’s great win but they settled in for a grinding game.

Pav’s soon got the upper hand with their stick it up the jumper rugby and pressured Newark back into their 22 from some powerful driving mauls but Newark proved difficult to breakdown, great work from Webby relieved the pressure as he broke out with cracking run up the left wing, sadly the attack broke down and he was ‘done’ for holding on in the tackle. Pavs continued to pressure but play was scrappy, with Newark committing numbers at the breakdown they were exposed on the left wing and Pav’s scored. 0-5. Pav’s continued to build on their early success and Newark found themselves once again a defensive battle, Newark’s pack showed some real grit with our ‘Sausage’ putting in some great work to take on the Pavs ‘old boys’. The visitors were now using every tactic in the book to win penalties and get in the Ref’s mind which leads to Newark being pinged time after time. Pav’s then scored to extend their lead…….whoopy do!! 0-12

Newark could have lost the fight there but in true 2nds style it was not long before they were back in the game, a great interception from Sam Dobson who this week was playing in the centres ran in a 50 metre try converted by Overland to see Newark back in the game 7-12. Newark’s impetuous continued as Webby went over the line following some good Newark pressure in the Pav’s 22 Overlands kick put Newark in front 14-12. It amazing how often a team concedes after scoring and Newark did exactly that, from the KO Pav’s stripped the ball in contact….Newark were caught napping and 14-17 down. As half time approached after a period central field play were neither team made much progress Newark set up a series of pick and go phases, this saw Jason Barnsdale drive over to put Newark in the lead at half time 19-17.

In recent confrontations with Pavs the second half have seen them drop away and Newark taking advantage. This game sadly was not going to be one of those occasions, Pavs started the second half the same way as the first, kick for territory win the lineout, maul and drive……….and it worked Newark fearing more penalties could not stop the drive. 19-22. Pav’s did their fair share of mind games with the officials and the scrappy play did not help the situation, a clear knock on at a scum on Newark’s 5 metre line………Pav's touch down...knock on........ask the attacking side did you knock on NO.....a change of mind………reversed decision…..Newark 19-27 down with the home crowd making the Ref aware of their views!! Newark still remained focused but that final pass was just not there, 3 or 4 ventures into the Pav’s 22 broke down and points were left there. A ding dong period of play ensued as both sides were finding the going hard, but it was the visitors who had the edge scoring a try (forward pass maybe!!). They added two further tries before the 80 mins were up as Newark faded. Final score 19-48.

Pav’s took the win, Newark again put in a great team effort but were a bit bitter about the final score the teams were not that far apart.

Time to rest heal and come back strong……….have a great CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR you 2nds.