A new season starts with a win.

Newark women and Mellish Ladies contested a very close pre-season friendly, which could have gone either way.
Newark received the ball from the kick off and were put under pressure immediately. Losing procession instantly, Mellish seized the opportunity and using their experience threw the ball out wide and ran in a try within two minutes. The team gathered behind the post and came back onto the pitch different team. 0 – 5
All the nerves and worries were gone, and the women showed what rugby and wearing the blue and white meant to them and each other.
They soon got the crowd roaring as they started to put together a few phases of procession and got the opposition on the back foot, pushing them further back and testing their defence. It wasn’t long before Newark scored their first try in the corner. A quick penalty which broke the line and great support play from the forwards enable the ball the be moved out wide for the winger to score. 5 – 5
After the restart both teams played an open game, throwing the ball around from anywhere on the pitch, testing the early season tackle technique and retention.
On the stroke of half time Newark could have gone into the lead but a well-timed pass was judged forward as the support player ran over the try line.
A well-earned drink and few positional changes and Newark were ready again.
Mellish soon ran in another try in the corner. 5 – 10.
Once again, the team showed their character and started to challenge this side from the league above. It took time for the changes to take effect and for the players to get used to their new positions, but when they did, we came back strongly and determined to break the gain line as we started to ask questions of the Mellish defence again.
A clearance kick from defence was gathered by the new full back and she took off, trusting her pace and agility to immediately apply the pressure back. With great support around her and linking up with forwards, who worked hard all afternoon, it wasn’t long before she got possession again, on the opposite side of the field, to strip the opposing winger and score under the posts. Converted, 12 - 10
Mellish from the restart were determined to break through our defence and applied lots of pressure at the break down area overturning procession and couple of times. This eventually gave them an overlap and again a hard-fought try. 12 - 15
With the heat taking effect and a few tired legs and no more subs available Newark women showed their grit and determination to never give up.
Creating pressure in the Mellish half and gaining another penalty which allowed a quick minded player to take and create confusion in the defence the forwards retained position and the new scrum half saw an opportunity to drive over from short range. A good conversion and Newark retake the lead. 19 – 15.
Mellish were not going to allow Newark an easy last 2 minutes and threw the ball around, but good defensive lines, applied pressure and eventually Mellish dropped the ball close to the try line. The ref blew his whistle and both teams shook hands knowing they’d had a great experience.
Highlights from today.
Four new players making their debuts, one being after only two training sessions.
Three new try scorers for the women’s team.
Scrummaging worked well with players trying new positions.
Open play and handling with less balls being dropped and continuity.
Support play was brilliant and a main factor for today. Whenever we made a break there was support around that player to retain procession or go forward themselves.