Newark Seconds 64, Southwell Seconds 10

First Notts Cup game of the season for Newark 2nds, and what better way to kick off proceedings than an outing against Southwell's Redmen, always worthy opponents whatever the scoreline.

Newark looked dominant from the first kick of the game, pinning the visitors back in their own 22 with a fine chase, getting the turnover and sending the ball left along the line, only to be pulled up by the eagle-eyed ref for a forward pass. Unfazed, the home side took the ball against the head in the resulting scrum, cycled right and then left for a touchdown by John Blagg - 7-0 (conv. Sam Booth).

Despite an ominous restart, and with the home side pressing forward again, Southwell came back with a fine riposte, taking advantage of sloppy hands to gain possession and kick forward deep into Newark territory. When the home side failed to find touch with the clearance, the Southwell backs found a yawning gap in their defence and raced through to score on the right - 7-5.

Unfortunately for the visitors this was the last time they would get a decent shot at the Newark line until the end of the half, with the home side scoring 5 unanswered tries on the trot. Ian 'Tommo' Thompson scored from the heart of a rolling maul after an attacking line-out (12-5); Connor Bice, on his debut, jinked through a gap for a great touch down (19-5, conv. Booth); Logan Watt, also on his first appearance for Newark, barrelled over following an incisive run from flanker Jaymie Duncan (24-5); Nick Moore crossed the line on the left after a useful turnover at the breakdown by Haydn Godfrey at no. 6 (31-5, conv. Booth); and Jaymie Duncan scored between the posts, grateful recipient of an outrageous sleight-of-hand pass from lock William Saege, who was a handful for Southwell all day - 38-5, conv. Booth.

With dominance established at both scrum and line-out by Newark, the Southwell lads were struggling for answers but not for courage, and it was they who closed out the half with a score to the left, after an intense period of scrabbling on the line - 38-10.

This, however, was to be the last hurrah for the visitors, who continued to leak points throughout the second half, despite putting up fierce resistance. Key to this was the excellent Sam Booth, ably assisted by Rhys Overland and latterly by Guillaume Pauvert at scrum half, marshalling the midfield well and treating the spectators to an intelligent kicking display, and enabling Newark to score a further 4 tries. Colt James Harding touched down between the posts after running onto the ball as it spun down the line after yet another great Saege take at the line-out (45-10, conv. Booth); Moore bagged his second of the day on the right after stepping several despairing tackles to cross the line (52-10, conv. Booth); Tom O'Leary bullied his way over on the left (57-10); and the coup-de-grace was supplied by the effervescent Rhys Overland, who dotted the ball between the posts after a cheeky intercept sent Newark on the charge.

This was a fine effort by all concerned including a talented group of replacements, with an imperious display from Wells, Tommo and co in the forwards and a back line willing and able to run amok at the sniff of an opportunity. From a club perspective it was hugely encouraging to be able to put out a second team of this depth and stature and encouraging too to see so many down in support, including most of the first team enjoying a weekend furlough. Thanks too to Southwell for a gritty display and we know they'll be out to make amends later in the season…

Next up - Paviors away.

Tries: John Blagg, Ian Thompson, Connor Bice, Logan Watt, Nick Moore (2), Jaymie Duncan, James Harding, Tom O'Leary, Rhys Overland
Conversions: Sam Booth (7)

Fixture Update

Newark 2nds are now drawn at home to Univ of Nottingham Development XV in the semi-final of the Ron Rossin Shield.
The match is scheduled to be played on 19 January 2019 or earlier if teams agree.