Newark 38 Gainsborough/ Lincoln 3
First home festival for the Inner Warrior series.
Inner Warrior is for developing teams with new players and encouraging those to stay within the game when they feel it maybe time to retire.
Teams from Newark, Gainsborough, Lincoln, Southwell, Grimsby and Market Rasen either clustered together or played as a club to put on a cracking afternoons rugby. The decision to play a one-off game was made before the day and Newark played against Gainsborough and Lincoln combined.
Two very evenly matched sides. Newark showed slightly more fitness and the young legs of the under 18s made the difference in the end.
Newark was on the attack from the start, with Gainsborough holding out for long periods of time with their dogged defence and trying to counterattack when possible. This was met by and encouraging and confident defensive line that grew throughout the game.
Newark where first to score, a constant barrage eventually found the hole they needed out wide for Sophie to use her pace and break through. It wasn’t long before Gainsborough hit back with a well taken penalty. Next was Ruby’s turn out wide on the opposite wing instead of pace she used her strength from close range and squeezed over with two defenders wrapped around her.
From the kick off the ball got fed to Jordan who powered through the middle, then skipped around the full back and touch under the posts. Kat converted successfully.
Annie finished off a slick move and great ball control for her first try of the day.
Half time score 23 -3
A quick re shuffle of positions and the team came out at full thrust.
Jen playing in a new position found space, using her speed and newly found sidestep, evaded three or four defenders to score under the posts.
Kat received the ball from a clearance kick at full back and did what she does so well, trusting her pace running around the defence to score out wide.
Then Annie used her agility to good effect beating most of the opposition before touching down from a restart for her second try.
The team had a great day of learning, improving and developing their rugby knowledge.
The score doesn’t really show how well Gainsborough contested and at the end Newark had to prove their character in holding out the attack as Gainsborough finished off strongly.
The team connected today and showed what rugby is about, supporting each other, being there on a shoulder in attack and defence. Working together for one goal.
Debuts today
Issy Forbes under 18
Isobelle Farmer
Sophie Rogers
Jess Burnley
Jordan Brown
Forward of the day Kaira Frankish, constantly available.
Back of the match Maria Cotton, controlled at the back and set the pace.
Opposition player Jordan Brown, strong running causing chaos.
It’s nice to be picked out by your peers but the whole team played together today, and everyone needs a mention for their effort.
Michelle (Captain), Jess, Annie, Isobelle, Kaira, Cheryl, Jordan, Sophie R, Issy,
Maria, Annie C, Paige, Jen, Sophie BP, Ruby, Kat,
Not forgetting the sideline support thank you, Driver, Jodie, Vicky, Cam and all the regular supporters.