Another tight affair.
The home fixture between these two closely contesting teams ended in a draw and today was different with two teams competing for the upper hand.
Newark women began facing the strong wind in their faces which made it difficult to kick out of defence and had to rely on their handling skills and support play to inch their way up the field but for the for first twenty minutes it was defence, defence and more defence as Sileby ran at them from every angle.
The team stood firm and their improving tackle technique, communication, awareness of field position held out until we had a chance to turn the ball over and attack.
When finally, Newark had some possession it wasn’t long before we were threatening the Sileby Try line. With great counter attacking runs from our wingers Jen and Daisy with Evie from full back supporting just missing out on beating that final defender, generally the Sileby full back who stopped many a try scoring opportunity with a covering tackle or forcing the player out to the touch line.
The forwards work tirelessly today and the front five started to find gaps, with Row and Jodie supported by Abi, Lucy and Ebonie creating chaos in the close contact areas that allowed the back row Georgina, Annie and Keeley to add the pace and further confusion for the defence. Linking this together was Ella a constant threat around the edges.
The first score came from the whole team linking together and being finished with a little confusion by both sets of players.
The ball was moved out wide for the backs to break the defensive line only to stopped 10m’s out by that full back again. The pack did the rest when Abi barraged through and thought she had scored from close range after a spell of pick and drives by the whole pack. The Ref wasn’t convinced and with both sets of players stopping and wondering what’s happening Keeley responded first and touch the ball down over the line. Conversion missed.
It wasn’t long before Newark scored again and were starting too dominant. Again, backs and forwards linking with G starting to be menace every time she had the ball. The centres Paige and Holly were also producing some telling runs from the middle field areas. Working slowly up the pitch to be finished off by our snappy scrum half around the edge from close range. Conversion Missed.
Half time came to soon but happy with our effort 0 – 10.
The second half started with both sides making some changes.
Sileby came at us, and it wasn’t long before they had scored two tries to level the game.
Another spell of constant defence and scrambling effort from all. Be the women managed to hold fast until a penalty was consider in front of the post. Sileby dually took this opportunity and the lead 13 – 10.
From the restart the women were able to produce pressure in the opposition half for a change as Sileby now struggled to release pressure. This middle phase seemed to go on forever with neither side being able to create that earlier form or consistency.
Then a moment, the pack with many changes but no less effective took a grip and produced a moment. Crashing over from short range and a welcoming try and first score for Annie our young stalwart on the back row. Conversion missed 13 – 15.
A few crucial minutes left and neither side gave an inch with crunching tackles from both sides and Sileby trying run the ball from anywhere. A couple of penalties allowed Newark to ease to pressure and pin Sileby in there own 22 and an attempt of a penalty kick but today was not a great day for threading the ball between the post in the wind, but this ran the clock down.
Eventually, the final whistle was heard and both teams were applauded off the field for producing a fantastic game, played in great sprit and celebrated afterwards in the bar.