A second friendly in as many weeks

Newark 13 - Scunthorpe 27

A second friendly in as many weeks threw up the challenge of Scunthorpe 2nd XV, a fixture which Newark had won the last 2 seasons.
Changes saw the return of hooker Mark Chandler and a start for Paddy Robinson promoted from the 3rd XV at 7. Tom Bridges got the nod at 10, Matt Woolridge at 9 and Josh Clack started on the wing. The bench saw the familiar face of Johny Statham back available.

A high tempoed start saw Newark challenging physically and putting together some neat play. It was silly penalties that let the opposition off on more than 1 occasion early doors.
Scunthorpe were always an attacking force and went close in the corner only for a try saving tackle from Josh Clack keeping the scores even. With 15 minutes gone and pressure building on the Newark line, a penalty gave Scunthorpe first points, 3 - 0. The visitors tails were up, after a controversial penalty (the ref apologised he'd got it wrong)
Scunthorpe kicked to a line out and a sweeping move wide saw the Newark defence stretched and a try in the corner, not converted.
Newark were to start putting together some neat play and following a Loftus break that just came up short, Newark earned a penalty and kicked 3 points.
With 5 minutes to go came the try which really made the game an uphill struggle, Scunthorpe had worked another driving maul which was a feature of their game, once stopped just in the 22, Newark filled out to cover gaps but missed the one right at the now formed ruck, the Scunthorpe prop picked up, ran straight through and put down for a converted try. Half time 3 - 15.

Changes were made at half time as Hawes came on back row and I moved into the second row for Johnson. Statham and Overland replaced Clack and Bunn on the wings.

The first score was the aim of the Newark side who with Hawes introduction had a ball carrier looking to make his point on the game, the forwards were now getting on top of Scunthorpe and after earning a penalty in front of the posts, the choice to go for touch paid off as the pack went close, only for the ball to be spread wide and Statham taking the Scunthorpe players with him went in for the score. 8 - 15.
The game became stretched as Newark went looking for a score, unfortunately it was Scunthorpe that came up with a counter attack of pace and precision as Newark looked to clear their lines, the ball was kicked into space and the resulting chase was not good enough as the Scunthorpe centre picked his line and found support for a converted try. 8 - 22.
Heads didn't go down and Newark again gave themselves hope as Johny Statham was first held up over the line but from a succession of scrums and recycled ball it was worked wide again for Stathams second score. 15 - 22.
Game on again, with time running out though, Scunthorpe finally sealed the win with another fine backs move, a final score of 15 - 27.

A hard, well fought game of rugby.

Alex Jackson