Newark 2nds V Matlock 2nd

Following the festive break Newark returned home to Kelham Road to face Matlock, the last encounter proved to be a close outcome with Newark taking the win by 1 point. With this in mind Newark selection saw a strong side list but as the flu bug hit Newark and left 17 players fit on the day.

Newark started brightly despite the heavy conditions and put the visitors under pressure with some good phases of rugby. Newark failed however to press home the early gains and then suffered, against the run of play, a breakout which saw Matlock take the lead after a 50 metre return. 0-7. Newark bounced back with the pack dominating in close contact and set piece as the game settled down into a grind in the mud between the 22yard lines with Newark having plenty of possession. Newark finally made the breakthrough with an intelligent grubber kick from skipper ‘Fothers’ which he chased down beating the defender to the ball gathering it on the ground and in one movement rolled and popped it up into the hands of the Newark wing Starky, Newark were on the board 5-7 with no conversion. Newark continued to grind out yardage and extended their score from a lineout picked of the top by our ‘sausage’ the ball dropped to the hands of Fothers who charged through the defensive line and Newark were 10-7 up. Matlock then took the lead with another break out try, following some over commitment at the breakdown which left Newark light in defence. 10-14.

The second half saw both sides pushing for territory using the forwards but it seemed that the spark had gone from Newark’s game although defending well Matlock extended their lead from series of scrums which pushed Newark deep into their 22, the visitors scored in the corner after some goal-line pressure. 10-19. The game then fell into a stalemate with either team making any inroads. Matlock then suffered a yellow for an infringement at the breakdown and which took full advantage in the last quarter of the game playing with some intent. Newark worked their way up to Matlock’s 5 metre line and with some excellent pick and drives ‘SICK BOY’ Barton powered his way over the line to put Newark back in touch 15-19. Sadly Newark ran out of time as the whistle blew, Newark’s lack of intensity for long periods of the game being the culprit for the loss of their first 2017 outing.