Supreme in the South but Wyggestonians 2nds are put to the Sword by Newark 2nds

Match report by Martyn llewellyn-Smith

On a dry blustery day but a good firm playing pitch, as you would expect from Leicester Tigers training ground, Newark took the initiative to play an expansive game against the much larger and heavier side.
Newark pressured from the start, the forwards having to work very hard against a strong pack. Cove Pick, Fotheringham and Gilchrist made some telling tackles in the first few minutes and the mobility of Coote, Dunning, Fisher and Hodnett secured ball that allowed Clark to distribute to a very strong Newark midfield. Stark crossed the line and Burton Waring converted to take Newark in to a seven-point lead after 6 minutes. Oadby were not happy! They came back very strongly but the power plays did not intimidate Newark who stole the ball and delivered it to the backs and Stark’s second try was again converted by Burton Waring. Miller playing at 10 and Fagan at 12 used the excellent service from Clark to good effect. Fagan was the next to score after a tap and go 5 metre penalty, he took a high bobbling ball and finished with a fine weaving run. Burton Waring converted. The score line of 21 points to nil got the Oadby coach wound up and he delivered an Alex Ferguson “ hairdryer” motivational speach to his players. This had some effect and they resorted to keeping possession in the forwards and driving the ball on. Sheer weight of numbers enabled them to score a converted try which took the score to 21 - 7. From the restart Newark took the game back into Oadby's territory. Good running from Newark created a gap for Hodnett to take the ball and score with aplomb under the posts. Burton Waring converted. Thus we turned round at half-time leading 28 points to 7.
The second half was a facsimile of the first, Newark's fitness speed and drive to win was too much for the Oadby heavyweights. Fagan broke away, he turned their defence inside out and found Cove in support who scored to take the score to 33 points to 7.
Robin Burton Waring stepped up to take the kick, unfortunately, the tee had gone for a wee with Mrs Fagan! Robin, a converted soccer player, never having had to take a kick from a self made mole hill before, had David Fagan lie at his feet to steady the ball in the gusting wind. (The least he could do as his Mum had abducted the tee). Unfortunately Robin, “bent it like Beckham” and narrowly missed the target. This was a shame as he would have had a 100% kicking record for the day.

At this point several of Newark's players seem to take a rest. This allowed Oadby their best phase of play and they were rewarded with an unconverted try which brought the score to 33 points to 12. That served as the wake-up call Newark required. They never looked back. Fagan broke weaving been this way and that and scored under the posts. Burton Waring converted. Shortly after, David Fotheringham broke away but was denied a try through good defending. Dusty Miller added a further try to cap a very good performance. Oadby started to resort to “darker” practices, but Newark stood their ground and retaliated in the best possible taste with Hodnett scoring a fine try to take the score past the 50 mark. Burton Waring added the extras and although Oadby tried their hardest to make the score more respectable, Newark held out and were unlucky not to score further points on several occasions. This was probably the best 2nds performance of the season against a well drilled, confident team that had expected to win this game due to their dominance over opponents in the first half of the season.
We travelled to Oadby with 15 players only, with no substitutes and a rearranged team. We put on a display of good running rugby, solid tackling, hard support work, and exemplary teamwork. The players played for each other and the team as a whole and our fitness was superb. Every player can be proud of their exertions and contribution to the game, youngsters, Fagan, a 10 for the 1st Team in the near future, Gilchrist playing at 6 made some great hits and showed he is also a good bet for a first team place, Stark and O’Leary were confident and composed, O’Leary making a good job of full back. The front row were magnificent, their opponents were twice as heavy and although one prop was “vertically challenged” he scrummaged like Ian “mighty mouse” McLauchlan. Ryan Fisher and Reece Hodnett were playing at lock rather than in the back row, they both had a huge impact on the game as they more than did their job in the line and scrum and their contribution around the field gave us effectively 5 back row players, all prepared to do “the dog”. Our 8 covered the pitch like a blanket between them with Pick and Fotheringham winning ball and making key tackles. Clark and Miller played as a honed half back unit, never outplayed by their counterparts. Mixing the play, launching the midfield and defended staunchly. Robin Burton Waring, tackled well, kicked his points confidently with good technique and made some fine breaks and linked well with the wings. . Jonny Statham played well and bravely hung in, although still carrying an injury. Nobody was prepared to let their mates down.
This fine win gained us a great deal of respect from our opponents and for ourselves and should give us a good confidence boost for 2012. We have the players, let’s keep the fitness and the spirit going, training is a must, please get to at least one session a week. You know it makes sense!

Team:
Dunning, Cove (Captain), Coote, Fisher, Hodnett, Gilchrist, Fothringham, Pick, Clark, Miller, Stark, Fagan, Burton-Waring, Statham, O’Leary.