Success gives Newark a semi-final

Report written by ROB WILDMAN

Wed, March 5

Notts Cup – quarter-final
Newark 24 West Bridgford 21

Newark overcame a deficit of 18-3 to win a closely-fought tie which was moved to Kelham Road on Wednesday night because of Bridgford’s waterlogged pitch.

Bridgford played some excellent rugby in the first 30 minutes to deservedly build that 18-3 lead through two tries, a conversion and two penalties.

Newark, showing a number of changes from Saturday’s league win at Peterborough, kept in the match though a penalty from fly half offer James Offer and some decent defence despite conceding those two tries.

Bridgford could easily have scored at least another two tries due to the one-way pressure they enjoyed.

However, Newark edged back into the contest just before half-time thanks to an excellent try from a move which began in their half led by a break from wing James Stark.
Offer, who had earlier kicked a penalty, eventually finished off the move near the posts which gave him an easy conversion to reduce Bridgford’s lead to 18-10 at the interval.

Newark continued to fight-back after half-time via two penalties from Offer before the crucial score came from wing Nick Galinski. The substitute back touched down in the corner after a counter-attack led by James Price who fielded a Bridgford kick out.

Offer missed the difficult conversion before he added a further penalty put Newark 24-18 ahead.

Bridgford did strike back to gain a late penalty but the home team hung on to win an entertaining game on a fast surface.

Newark rested some familiar first team places to give a new lock partnership an opportunity in Jaymie Duncan and 17-year-old Rory Williams.

Success gives Newark a semi-final at Paviors which is likely to held on Saturday, March 15.

Newark face Bugbrooke this Saturday at Kelham Road in a league game, kick off 3pm.

Team: Mark Byrom; Brummitt, Spurr, Dixon, Stark; Offer, Clark; Barnsdale, Tomlinson, Gray, Williams, Duncan, Webster, May, Curry.

Subs: Tinsley, James Price, Dan Price, Bridges, Galinski.

Tries: Offer, Galinski.
Cons: Offer.
Pens: Offer (4).

Rob Wildman