Players need to be accountable

All you need for a game of rugby is 15 men, an opposition, a ball, a pitch and a referee.
Newark 2's turned up with the 15 men required, no more, no less. Lesser teams would sit and moan about the lack of subs and capitulate, on Saturday the 2's showed how when the backs are against the wall a team can galvanise and come together.

The starting 15 saw front row of Dawson, J Barnsdale and Samuels, 2nd row Jackson and Sowerby Jones, Back row, Bartsch, Robinson and Holmes, Wooldridge 9, Miller 10, centres Bridges and Sibilski, wingers Edlin and Jay with Richard Byrom at fullback.

Perfect rugby conditions saw both sides start brightly and only some last gasp defending keeping out the attacks which were very much on top. The Newark scrum and lineout was working well (surprising what having an actual hooker for the 1st time in 2011 can do for a team) and the link up play was creating quick ball for the backs.
An early penalty and Newark lead 3 - 0. 15 minutes in and Scunthorpe were down to 14 men as their centre was yellow carded for deliberately trying to break Robinsons arm, surely a red card offence. The penalty opportunity was missed and Newark then failed to make the man advantage count for points, one sweeping move lead by the forwards and then from right wing to left saw Edlin put away only for the pass to be deemed forward.
Like last week the lack of taking opportunity paid as late into the second half Scunthorpe edged back into the game and a 5 metre line out lead to a 1st try of the match. 5 3, half time.

The second half and Newark looked to continue the open game plan. It was however Scunthorpe that took the initiative and scored 1st as the game became fragmented and gaps appeared. Neither teams 1st up tackling was particularly good and this made for an end to end encounter. 12 3 and Scunthorpe were in control. Next score mattered and 5 minutes later Newark got it. A series of plays worked the ball up into the Scunthorpe 22 and into the bog in the right hand corner, quick ball found Robinson in the centres and under the posts, Wooldridge converted 12 10.

It was only at this point that the game got away from Newark. Scunthorpe brought on 3 subs (is that legal, a move that Newark didn't have in their locker, surely we should look into using subs in the future). The fresh legs worked and 2 quick tries, one a sweeping move, another crash over from their second row who was the spit of Paul Connell (size and shape), and the score line read 26 10.

It was going to be an uphill struggle but with nothing to lose Newark went at it again and solo effort of the game from Robinson (again) saw him collect in the centres for a second time on the Scunthorpe 10 meter line and breaking 2 tackles and running over the 15 scored to give Newark hope, 26 17.
Unfortunately Scunthorpe hadn't read the 15 man comeback script and put the game to bed with 5 minutes to go with a further try after some desperate Newark defending, 33 17.

You'd think that was it, but one final venture into the Scunthorpe 22 with backs and forwards all rucking hard and getting beyond the game line lead to a Chris Ashton type swallow dive (some would call it a belly flop) as a ruck a meter out saw myself dive through the ruck and score with the final play. Woodridge converted 33 - 24.

A great game of rugby which could like last week have seen a W on the board. Players need to be accountable for their actions on and off the pitch, the 15 on it today were superb, the 2 no shows have been talked to, we move on.

Alex Jackson

View the last published League table at the following link

http://www.newarkrugby.net/pennantleague.htm