Perfect rugby conditions and a perfect start

The 1st of 4 pennant fixtures during November and the 2nd XV's last home fixture of 2011 saw the arrival of Ilkeston to Kelham Road.
Last season when the teams met both had convincingly won their home fixture.

The squad saw debuts and returns with Johny Staham back from surgery and Toby Edlin on the wings, Duncan Coote and Mark Staines into the pack, Aaron Riley and Mark Byrom returning from university, a senior debut for George Seabrook, Bradley Eames available once more and finally Joe Compton available for the second time since this season.

Looking at the squad there is a significant amount of players under the age of 25 and a good mixture of old heads to lead us forward.

Perfect rugby conditions and a perfect start, after 10 minutes Edlin and Hodnett had gone over the line and a Burton Waring conversion had built a 12 - 0 advantage to Newark. After 20 minutes it was 17 - 0 with Byrom finding the corner.

Then for some reason we took our foot off the gas, Ilkeston worked into the Newark 22 and from a scrum found a gap in the centres and converted, 17 - 7, this buoyed the opposition who were scrapping for everything and frustrating Newark whos discipline was going astray.
It was Newark that finished the scoring in the half though as Hodnett added a second, a 40 yard dash and Burton Waring converted. 24 - 7

Half time.

George Seabrook making his senior debut was the highlight of an error strewn second half which Ilkeston won 2 tries and a conversion to 1 Edlin try for Newark. Newark did not play the referee well and when breaks were made or overlaps created, the final ball was not good enough. Final score 27 – 19

A number of changes were made during the second half, with 7 on the bench it is difficult to keep continuity as well as players playing enough rugby each week, Martyn (manager) ensured everyone had time on the field.
The bench this week was a strong as the starting line up, selection is getting tougher.
It is 5 out of 5 now in the Pennant league and there is still a lot more to come from this squad and hopefully some more 1st team debuts.

Alex Jackson