Newark 2nds Lose to West Bridgeford 2nds

This was the third encounter between these sides this season and with honours even going into the game, no one on the home side was under any illusion that this was going to be an easy match, following a heavy defeat away in early November. The Newark side was further hampered – yet again – by no-shows among the selected squad, leaving them with almost no slack to cover injury or tired legs, and pitch 2, more mud than grass for the most part, was always going to favour the heavier pack at the scrum and maul.

The home side spent most of the first quarter in defensive mode, pinned in their own 22, and with possession dominated by West Bridgeford, who attacked relentlessly without quite managing to break through. There were one or two promising forays into opposition territory, with Jenkins, Brummitt, More, Moss and Tweedie working hard to capitalize on the limited possession Newark did get. But the pack – although very effective in the loose – were at sixes and sevens for the entire first half and beyond at scrum time, and the side consequently struggled to take advantage even when they did gain field position.

Under these conditions, it was only a matter of time before Newark started to bleed points, and bleed they did, with the visitors scoring 3 converted tries in a row (0-21), before finally applying some pressure of their own when Bridgeford were caught offside and Brummitt found a good touch close to the visitors’ line. With the lineout functioning well all afternoon, the home side established a bridgehead 5m from the try line, sucked in defenders and Jenkins shipped the ball out left to the waiting hands of Martin Brummitt who jinked over to score accompanied by a small posse of supporting players – 5-21, half time.

Any thoughts of a Newark revival were quickly snuffed out in the opening minutes of the second half, with Bridgeford flanking the Newark defense first on the left, and then on the right with two quick tries in succession, both unconverted – 5-31.

The home side were not about to go down quietly, and when a strong chase from kick off led to Bridgeford conceding a penalty for a high tackle, Brummitt again found a good touch. With the ball recycled quickly from the lineout, and quick hands from More and Moss in the centre, James Matthysz found himself in space and coasted over to score – 10-31.

Minutes later, they pulled the same move again, with Callum Doe doing the honours to touch down – 15-31.

These, however, proved to be the last points Newark would score in the match, despite some excellent spells in attack. Tired legs, injury and the lack of replacements left the home side increasingly vulnerable, and Bridgeford exploited this to the full, running through to score a further four tries, three converted, before the final whistle brought the match to a close.

Another heavy defeat then, and another Saturday where the side was let down by last minute cry-offs. Nonetheless, this side played with courage and heart and left nothing on the pitch when they walked away. Senior colts Harry Jenkins, Jack Shine, Ali Moss and Findlay Tweedie all showed their mettle, with Tweedie making at least two try-saving tackles. Other names of note were Jason Matthysz, Gareth Bartsch and Dan Dykes who worked tirelessly at the coal face all afternoon, with Godfrey and Himsworth putting in their usual disruptive shift at the breakdown and tackle.

Next up – Sutton Bonnington away.

Tries: Martin Brummitt, James Matthysz, Callum Doe