Newark 2nds v Ashbourne

Conditions were perfect and the pitch was in excellent condition as Newark hosted Ashbourne for the return league game at Kelham Road, with ambitions of doing the double Ash left with nothing after being blown away by an on fire Newark.

Newark made a good start picking up where they left off last week, securing the ball and using pack power to secure early territory, some good gain line breaks from Franny put Newark on the firmly on the front foot. Whilst the game lacked pace Newark were happy to take on the gritty Ash pack in the driving game, Nick Barton almost got the scoreboard lit up with a great little charge spinning out of 3 tackles and just falling short of the line showing Newark’s intent! Newark showed good skills at the set piece, lineout time was commanded by the reliable Crosby, whilst the scrum was an even contest at in the early stages of the game.

Last week’s game provided little action for Newark’s back line however they would go on to play a storming part in this game, the pack provided the platform using the pick and go to get into Ash’s half. Overland took over, fed a quick ball from the breakdown to Franny and he broke the gain line again with his power popping a great pass to the charging Josh Clack who side stepped the outside centre to leave himself easy run in under the posts. 7-0 with Johnno’s kick.

Newark continued to test the visitors defence, Johnno attempted a cheeky chip and chase easily out pacing the Ash’s wing sadly the ball didn’t bounce kindly and the full back smothered the attack. Ash’s discipline started to falter and they conceded a number of penalties Newark refused the kick in favour of the kick lineout and drive option but sadly they could not find the breakthrough, Johono did attempt one kick but it slid wide of the upright. Ashbourne tried in vein to get in the minds of Newark with the verbals believing they had the upper hand in close contact but Newark’s quick line speed and disruptive defence left Ash nowhere to go other talk a good game. Newark started to take control at the scrum and this opened the opportunity for Newark to extend their lead, just inside the Ash’s half Newark pushed them back with ease, Fothers at 8 picked up made a good break and fired a great pass to Overland who showed a clean pair of heels to score in the corner 12-0.

Newark were now starting to take Ash apart, the pack showing its dominance Webby playing his last game for Newark made a useful break carrying well. Newark gained a scrum which they walked over Ash’s pack…...feeding the ball to Franny he broke down the left wing chipping over, Johnno gathered the ball cut the defence delivered an inside pass back to Franny who had continued his run and he crashed over line to take the score to 19-0 with Johnno floating over a lovely conversion. Ash made one last push just before half time but Clack’s brave defensive cover cost him a injury which finished his day but Newark still had a clean sheet.

19-0 at halftime.

The second half started with Newark ringing a few changes which allowed Ashbourne to the upper hand putting Newark under intense pressure in the 22 following some unforced handling errors by Newark, but their defence was on fire as they settled down which simply extinguished Ash’s efforts. Newark remained calm and used good exit strategies to clear their lines finding touch from some excellent kicking, with Fothers and Crosby controlling the lineouts Newark eased the pressure. It was not long before Newark were controlling the game and they had worked their out and into Ash’s half, once again discipline at the breakdown cost the visitors a scrum, the ball scrambled from the base and was gathered by Tommy who blitzed the right wing crashing through two tackles and scored a brilliant breakaway effort which Johnno converted in front of the posts. 26-0.

Newark continued to show no mercy on the visitors making them hurt at every ruck with Ammo showing the way. As the backs started to open the play and stretch Ash’s defence they conceded more scrum penalties for slowing the game, Newark used this to their advantage after a scrum in which Newark smashed the Ref blow a penalty, Overland took a quick tap and go went on the blind side and touched down from 5 metres out, Johnno converted again a great kick from touch. 33-0. Newark were now on fire and relentless in attack, Ash were a broken side with no answer to Newark’s sustained pressure, again a powerful scrum opened the door for another try.
Once moving forward there was no way it was going to be stopped Fothers on the tail steered the drive over and dotted down as the line appeared, Johnno converted 40-0. To the visitors credit Ash tried their best to get some consolation with a score but they simply could not cope with Newark who were in no mood to to give anything and once Tommy had turned the ball over in the 22 Newark were in for another try……….1 to 15 rugby with Starky finishing the afternoon with a try in the corner………….job done 45-0.

During the game both teams attention was drawn to a serious injury to Newark player Josh Tracy who playing in Newark's 3/4ths game against Mellish. We wish Josh a speedy recovery.