A compelling fixture that went to the wire.
Both teams put their all into this closely fought fixture. Two evenly matched sides went at each other from the start to the final whistle, finished off in the bar with Matts excellent lasagna and a pint.
Both teams are mid table with similar results, so this was going to be a good test as to where we are in our development.
The game started and for once Newark where on the offensive throwing the ball around getting all involved. At it wasn’t long before Jen, our winger, was touching down in the corner after beating her opposite number with a silky sidestep and power.
From the restart Newark had their first injury of the day. Vicky gathered the high ball and was immediately tackled firmly by the opposing player. The whole crowd took a deep breath as this hit is normally seen on the hallowed turf of Twickenham!! On came Chelsea for her first ever game and she didn’t let her team down, getting around pitch, putting in tackles and going forward at every opportunity.
It wasn’t long before the women extended their lead when Ella finished off a team effort of taking the ball forward and recycling. The whole pack worked hard all game, but the front five performance was outstanding, in the middle Michelle, Cheryl and Heather had to constantly drag themselves out of scrum, in which they held their own and is improving week upon week, take the ball forward and disrupting when needed. The engine house of Jodie and Rowanne, both caused problems going forward and are starting to form an excellent alliance. Through patience and determination, we moved the ball up the field until our scrum half seize on a gap created by others and touch down in the opposite corner.
All was going well and Newark where dominating and could have scored more but for some determined defensive work, with Paige, Holly and Daisy all being stopped just short of the line, the latter being stopped by a high tackle that produced a yellow card.
This only spurred Sileby on and from nowhere they up their game and pace, taking the ball through the middle and creating chaos with strong powerful direct runners on each other’s shoulder in support and soon they’d score two tries against the run of play. Taking a lead into half time with successful conversation. 10 – 12.

Sileby extended their lead early in the second half again through their direct runners and great support. 10 – 19 (converted)
Newark were next to score, through our general Emilie, who ran the plays all day orchestrating the backs and forwards creating space and opportunities, but this time she went alone and sold a few players with a couple of beautiful dummies and ran in under the post. Ella converting 17 – 19.
Sileby responded with another try and conversation soon after and the game was wide open. 17 – 26.
The game could have gone either way, but Newark seemed to find their rhythm again and throw the ball out to Daisy, who showed her pace and agility in beating several players and finishing under the posts. 24 – 26. Converted.
Securing possession from the kick off was crucial, this allowed our strong running forwards and back row of Camile, Kiara and Abi leading from eight causing problems constantly. With the backs ably supporting it wasn’t long before Emilie was touching down again under the posts 31 – 26.
What was needed know was a calm period for the last five minutes. However, this didn’t happen and Sileby came back into the game. Showing their determination and gusto and testing our defence into the last minute. Until they seized on a gap and ran in a try. It was all down to the conversion. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it pasted by the far post and the whistle went for full time.
Both teams were happy with the result and showed why we are mid table after five games. With more experience and game time, this result can become a win as we develop and take away what we’ve learnt.
Fielding three new players today for their first experience of our wonderful game, well done to Sophie at full back who put in a couple of great tackles and hopefully next time we’ll see her pace in attack. Daisy on the wing receiving back of game. Chelsea who played three positions in one game. Rowanne, who was voted forward of the game after only two games, showing her determination to develop and go forward and Emilie who received the oppositions player of the game.