Newark produced their best all-round performance of the season

Saturday October 28
RFU Intermediate Cup – third round

Newark produced their best all-round performance of the season so far to overpower Old Laurentians by seven tries to two at Kelham Road.

Underpinned by some gritty defence, especially at the start of the second half, Newark built steadily on a 22-10 half-time lead to score three further tries in the later stages to add to the four in the first half.

Prop Mason Coulam scored the first in the second minute to show that Newark were not going to repeat the slow start that has bedevilled them all season.

Coulam followed up to score a second later in the half besides one from close range by captain Dave Garland plus a try from an interception near halfway by wing James Stark.

Stark’s 50-metre dart came at a crucial point as Old Laurentians had enjoyed good possession to score twice themselves to be tied at 10-10 after the first quarter.

Newark scored twice in the second quarter to lead 22-10 but Old Laurentians had the advantage of a gusting wind in the second half.

However, Newark weathered not only the conditions but Old Laurentian’ best efforts in a tremendous defensive effort which contained the visitors in midfield for the first 20 minutes of the second half.

A change in momentum was signalled by Aloesi Waqalevu breaking clear down the left which ended in the attack which brought Mikey Boyd Newark’s fifth try.

With Max Chapple converting, Newark led 29-10 and never looked back to dominate the final 20 minutes.

The pressure brought tries for the speedy Will Britten on the right, following a break off a scrum, and, finally, a seventh try of the afternoon this time for wing Robbie Hunter-Shaw. Chapple converted to go alongside three other conversions.

Chapple had shown his versatility by starting at scrum-half with Dan Mackie moving up from full-back to be fly half. The only other change in the backline had been the introduction of Britten at No 15.

Newark’s good record this autumn – five wins in eight games - has also heralded a more settled pack with only two changes from the previous week at Matlock.

Next up is a trip to West Bridgford on Saturday (Nov 4) for a double-header. The 1sts meet in a league fixture (2.30pm) while the seconds play in a Pennant match (2pm).

Team: Britten; Stark, Aloesi, Charles, Hunter-Shaw; Mackie, Chapple; Coulam, Tomlinson, Appleton, Primett, Bagga, Boyd, Crosby, Garland.

Subs: Hempstead, Mark Byrom, Fotheringham.

Tries: Coulam (2), Stark, Garland, Boyd, Britten, Hunter-Shaw.

Conversions: Chapple (4).

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