Newark 2nds V West Bridgford

Newark’s performance was not the best we have seen this season to be honest it was not pretty and lacked its usual sparkle. Against a strong West Bridgford, Newark did take the win and a win is a win in our book!!

The opening exchanges found both sides testing each other’s defensive lines for any weakness which produced a central field battle in heavy underfoot conditions. Clearly as the game developed it was going to be a forwards dominated encounter and Newark showed good strength at scrum time which eventually paid off for the home side. As Newark pressed Bridford on their goal line with the pick and drive working the ball across the park with each phase finally punching through with Nick Moore touching down, Callum Slack converted 7-0. As the game continued it became a scrappy affair with the ref blowing for knock on after knock on all it needed was simple structured ball in hand rugby. WB then equalised through a mistake in the Newark defensive line, with players out of position a huge hole appeared and it was 7-7 after an easy run in from Newark’s 22 under the posts. Newark went back to basics and again forward pressure prevailed and good scrum quick work off the base and 3 phases of pick and goes set up Webby and using his strength went over the white wash to take Newark back into the lead 12-7. With the game continuing and the amount of stoppages increasing as the scrappy play continued Newark were caught napping in defence, WB broke through Newark’s line again to score another easy try and conversion to take the lead 12-14 as half time approached at 48mins!!!

The Newark team talk at half time seemed to have some affect with plenty of pace on the field which had not been exploited it to this point in the game Newark’s point of attack changed. Once WB started commit more players at the breakdown which they clearly and tactically not done earlier Newark found they could use the width of the park and Starky made a useful 40 metres, the break gained a penalty for Newark as WB were caught off-side but sadly the kick to touch was missed and WB escaped. Newark was soon back pressuring the visitor’s line and went over but the effort was judged to be held up!! The resulting 5 metre scrum was dominated by Newark it shifted left and ‘Big Rory’ found the open door and scored with Overland kicking the extra points, Newark edged in front 19-14. Newark added another score from a flowing move across the park probably the best play of the game with Moore and Overland carrying well. It was Webby who went over a great effort to finish a good backs move which put some light between the two teams 26-14 with Overland’s conversion. WB came back into the game again as Newark seemed to get penalised by the ref at every breakdown giving god territory to WB’s kicks to touch, with Newark facing a lineout on their own 22 after losing 50+metres WB scored 26-21 to set up a tense finish. Newark finally put the game to bed with super individual effort from twinkle toes Moore who fended off several defenders weaving his way through Bridgfords broken defensive line to score between the sticks to the relief of all, Overland kicked the extra two points game ended 33-21.

To look at the faces of the lads at the end of the game in the team huddle they knew it was not the most pretty game this season…………but a WIN IS A WIN!!