Newark downed but not out!

Newark were confident ahead of their trip to Paviors, but it was they who were “Burnt at the Stump” by the home team who scored 4 tries for a bonus point and go 3 points ahead in the Pennant. Newark have games in hand but will need to improve on this performance to further their ambitions of winning the title.
On a cold squally day Newark were put to the sword by fierce rivals, Paviors. This was a game Newark never really got to grips with. Four tries to non, with Newark’s paultry 6 points coming from the kicking tee of Burton Waring, was probably a better result than Newark deserved after tackles were missed time after time and in the first half Newark showed no signs of being able to penetrate their opponents defence.
After 20 minutes Newark’s most consistent player, with a precocious try scoring talent, suffered a serious knee injury and the day went from bad to worse; losing Reece Hodnett to what looks like a cruciate ligament injury, had a big effect on the game and could be a telling loss to the remainder of the season. After 35 minutes Newark were struggling, 14 -6 down even with the slope of the pitch in their favour, Sam Sibilski and Rogi were injected into the side for Byrom and Stark, in an attempt to stiffen the defence and create penetration in the midfield. Stark was unlucky to be replaced as he was sacrificed to retain Burton Waring’s place kicking ability.
At the break the score of 14 – 6 flattered Newark and although they started strongly at the restart Paviors’ forwards were again proving to be dominant and although defence was better, Newark were struggling to make any real impression playing up the slope. When ball was won and run Newark’s fixation with trying to bosh through the middle was telegraphed and easily swallowed up by Paviors’ midfield and back row.
On the side-line we had our biggest away support of the season, made up of the Newark 1st team and spectators who would normally be following the 1sts. I am not sure that our opponents would not have fielded a few of their senior players in such an important Pennant game if they had all their first team players available???
Five minutes into the second half Paviors were awarded a penalty for “holding on” and they took the 3 points . Newark pulled their resolve together and had their best spell of the game, playing deep into Paviors half and threatened their line on several occasions. Handling errors abounded however and Paviors cleared their lines. A line out just outside of Newarks 22, Paviours hooker threw in an outrageous ball that was at least 2 feet from the straight to his own side! He may as well have passed it straight to his scrum half! Astonishingly the referee allowed play to go on and in defending the attack Staines was penalised for illegally halting play. To rub salt into the wound a yellow card was displayed and Staines was sin binned for 10 minutes!!!!!
Newark defended bravely initially but concentration, determination and courage wilted as Paviors ran the ball and brushed off numerous ” nancy boy” tackles to score their 3rd try. Further Ineffectual tackling let in Paviors’ right wing for their 4th try and another harsh blow for Newark when Miller had to leave the field with a back injury. Replacement Overland immediately entered the fray, chased the ball from the restart won it and took the challenge back into Paviors half. With Staines back on the field, the game was taken up into Paviors’ territory but it was all too little too late. Naylor, playing his first game back after injury and probably our best player on the day, was relieved by Jason Barnsdale, the only 1st team player called up due to a late call off from our front row cover. Rob Dunning moved to the flank, our forwards felt the benefit of fresh meat in the pack and we held out, keeping the score 27 points to 6.

TRAINING TUESDAY AND THURSDAY

Team ; AJ,(Capt) Cove, Dunning, Staines, Hodnett, Bartch, Naylor, Fothringham, Clark, Miller, Stark, Bridges, Cormack, Burton Waring, Byrom, McCarthy, Barnsdale, J, Siblinski, Rogi, Overland, O’Leary