The early exchanges were frenetic;

Ok, so I'm a little sick of reading the report about our run of 4 loses on the bounce so here is an update on the 2nd XV.

Having had a difficult January / February, Newark 2nds have gone on a superb run, winning league games against Notts Medics, Ashbourne, then Freshers decided not to play us, followed by 2 friendlies, thrashing Paviors 42 12 and now away at Coalville 24 10.

With no 1st team fixture this weekend the temptation to select 1st XV players was left alone and a strong second XV travelled to Coalville.
A slightly damp but still afternoon met us on a good pitch, the only issue to arise was the lack of a referee, so up stepped our own Richard Byrom to ref what was to prove to be a well contested and open game.

The early exchanges were frenetic; both teams looked to move the ball early with fast rucking and hard running in the centres.
It was 10 minutes in when the deadlock was broken, loose play from both sides resulted in Newark going forwards, when the ball went wide Bridges found Burton Waring on the wing, he beat his man and went under the posts, converting his own try.

Coalville looked to reply, with their forwards working the maul well. As Newark got stretched, Coalville picked the gap in the centres and went over the line, 20 minutes gone and 7-7.
Newark looked to use the set piece a bit more which we were dominating, Mark Staines was stealing everything on the line out and the scrum was solid.
A kick to the corner from Mark Byrom resulted in the line out and maul being held up over the line.
The scrum powered over the line, but much to the front rows dismay the ball had been passed out before the try could be scored, fortunately it landed in Sibilski's hands (I say fortunate, it was the last ball he caught all afternoon) to score. Burton Waring converted.

The half was drawing to a close and Coalville pressed again, Newark held out and from a line out on our own 5 meter line, a rehearsed get out move was successfully played and the resulting kick and chase gained a penalty 35 meters out that Burton Waring slotted home.

Half time 10-17.

Changes were made at half time with all 3 subs coming on, Coalville changed 6 in their pack alone with only the props remaining.

Newark continued to battle in a game that was being played between the 22's. A reversed penalty for fisty cuffs gave Coalville 3 points.
Newark dug deep, the fitness training was paying off as we matched Coalville although they had fresher legs on the pitch, the killer blow came late as Mark Byrom found a looping pass into Ollie Nobles hands, the under 18 showed his pace stripping the Coalville defence for his 1st 2nd team try, well done Ollie.
Miller converted.

Final score 10-24.

Team

Dunning, Cove, Jackson, Staines, Clarke, Weston Davies, Bartsch, Webster, Byrom M, Miller, Bunn, Sibilski, Stark, Burton Waring, Bridges.

Subs, Gilchrist, Noble, Wooldridge.

AJ