Newark seemed in control!!

REPORT WRITTEN BY RICHARD BYROM

1st XV Report v Paviors (Semi-Final Notts Cup)

Lost 15-32

Poor Tackling costs Newark a place in the Notts Cup Final

On a beautiful sunny day at Burnt Stump Newark were looking to make it a hat rick of wins against local rivals Paviors, having beaten them twice in the league already.

In a much changed side from last week’s victory against Bugbrooke, things started well for Newark, within the first minute winger Nick Galinski almost scored but was tackled into touch a metre short.

More pressure was applied by Newark but the Paviors defence held strong and then against the ‘run of play’ from a missed tackle in the centre, Paviors turned defence into attack and through a flowing move involving backs and forwards they scored 5-0.

Back came the visitors and from good controlled work by the forwards, Mark Byrom crashed over and with the extra 2 points added by Martin Brummitt, Newark were in front 7-5.

At this stage Newark seemed in control, much of the play was in the Paviors 22 but they seemed unable to convert all the pressure - silly mistakes and needless penalties stopping them extending their lead.

Then shortly before half time, following more missed tackles Paviors managed to find themselves with a huge overlap and they scored, to make the half time score 12-7 to the home team.

From the start of the second half, Newark were on the back front and following a Yellow card to Webster, Paviors extended their lead through a penalty and then when Primitt was also shown a Yellow card they then added a try to make it 20-7.

With only 13 players on the pitch you might have thought more scores would have followed very quickly, but Newark dug deep and produced some good controlled ‘phase’ rugby and they were unlucky not to score and unfortunately had to settle for a penalty to reduce the arrears to 20-10.

Into the final quarter and just when it looked like Newark might start to mount a comeback, more poor tackling led to a fourth Paviors try-25-10.

The game was now slipping away from Newark and when shortly afterwards a good flowing move involving forwards and backs allowed them to extend their lead even further it was game over.

However with time running out Newark had the last score of the afternoon when a good forward surge led to skipper Matt Clarke attacking the blind side and scoring, to make the final score Paviors 32 Newark 15.

Overall it had been a disappointing result because in many aspects of the game Newark had matched Paviors but poor tackling and lack of control and patience at times meant we had lost a game we could so easily have won.

On a positive note there were some very encouraging performances from our three youngsters, Rory Williams, Dan Price and Ben Dixon and a welcome return to first team rugby for Matt Brewer.

Next week it is Coalville away in the league, a game that the lads know they are capable of winning but they need to reproduce a ‘Bugbrooke’ team performance to make sure of the points.