Major Oak Byrom returns with young Sappling to provide Backbone to Wilting performance.

A better start than previous games saw Newark take a 7 point lead when Matt Cox crossed under the post for a try that he converted after some strong running lines made by Mark 'Dusty' Miller and supporting forward pressure. This woke up the Medics and they replied within minutes with an unconverted try. This should have been a warning to the visiting team but Newark’s play became disjointed, mis-handling errors allowed the Medics to become more adventurous and their confidence to grow. Newark however won a penalty and Cox converted to take the points tally to 5 – 10. The play fluctuated from half to half and the hot conditions favoured the younger running team and the Medics began to look morre and more dangerous particularly as Newark were disjointed and did not look anything like a coherent team. This allowed Medics to take the game to Newark and their sustained pressure culminated in a fine handling movement and positive running that created a well worked try in the corner. The conversion failed but the gap had narrowed to 2 points. Newark launched a strong counter attack through an opportunist break by Duncan Coote; taking them deep into the Medics half. Whilst Newark drove forward to capitalise on thei position the unfortunate Referee got in between the competing forwards and found himself rucked to the ground. After a 5 minute delay, whilst the Ref received treatment from Charlotte, Newark’s Physio, the Ref regained his senses and the game restarted. On 40 minutes Medics launched a fast and furious attack that stretched, what looked like a very tired Newark defence, and they scored under the posts. The conversion was a formality and the Medics looked firmly in command of the game.

Half Time: Medics 19 Newark 2nds 10

The second half saw the introduction of Mark Byrom for the injured Ben Ennals and he started strongly, sacking Medics scrum half at the base of their scrum in the first couple of minutes. Newark players started to work together and with Byrom calling the shots from the base of the scrum and Staines marshalling the forwards something resembling Newark team-play started to emerge.

The forwards started putting together some concerted pressure, playing to their strengthof the heavier more experienced pack and were rewarded with a try after a powerful drive over Medics line, James Price grounded and Cox made the extra points to take Newark back into contention with the score at 19 - 17.

The restart kick from Medics was claimed by Reece Hodnett who took the ball at pace and blasted through the oncoming Medics forwards to carry for 70 meters before finding Mark Byrom in support,he continued the attack and gave a try scoring pass to Dave Fotheringham to run in Newarks 3rd try. Cox had no difficulty landing the conversion to put Newark in command of the game. Medics did not get a chance to recover and Richard Byrom added to their misery when he turned defence into attack and sprinted down the line and off-loaded to Gareth Bartch who scored in the corner. Newark continued to press their superiority but a moment of madness in the midfield nearly gifted the Medics a try scoring opportunity when a move called in the Medics 22 resulted in a fumble and the ball was hacked up the field, at this point in the game the ball should have been up a forwards jumper! Fortunately the counter attack was thwarted and Newarks much improved second half performance secured their 3rd pennant win of the season and halted Medics 12 month long unbeaten run.

Team: Shields, Grey, Cove, Gilchrist, Dawson, Coote, Staines, Price, Tatham, Fothringham, Barch, Hodnett, Ennals, Byrom M, Cox, Miller, Bridges, Stark, Overland, Hill, Byrom.
All Players used.