REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN
Newark Rugby Club
Newark 58 Southwell 7
Newark’s quick men proved too fast for Southwell in a pre-season game at Kelham Road on Saturday.
Eight of the 10 tries came from players in back three positions as Newark completed preparations for the new season which starts next Saturday, when Huntingdon visit in a league fixture.
Wing Johnny Statham helped himself to a first-half treble to help Newark to a 36-0 lead at the interval.
Statham was backed up by tries from fellow wing Nick Galinski plus one each from Ben Usher, a newcomer at full-back, and lock Rory Williams.
James Offer kicked three conversions.
Newark made a number of changes at half-time but the flow of tries continued. Galinski and Usher grabbed their seconds to be backed up by one each for substitutes in prop James Price and wing Will Britten.
Captain Matt Clark added a conversion.
Southwell finished the scoring by gaining a late consolation and conversion.
Besides Usher, the Newark squad included new boys Adam Downing at lock, plus Patrick Ford in the backs.
There was also a welcome return for No 8 Neil Clark after a prolonged period on sidelines last season due to a torn bicep.
Newark open their league campaign on Saturday (Sept 6) at home to Huntingdon, kick off 3pm, at Kelham Road. All welcome.
The match is sponsored by Newark Storage.
Newark team v Souhtwell: Usher; Galinski, Tate, Dixon, Johnny Statham; Offer, Matt Clark; Priestley, Chapple, Tinsley, Downing, Williams, Tatham, Webster, Neil Clark.
Subs: Tomlinson, Bartsch, James Price, Andrews, Ford, Britten.
Tries: Statham (3), Galinski (2), Usher (2), Williams, Price, Britten.
Conversions: Offer (3), Clark.
Rob Wildman