Newark deserved more

A day trip to Shropshire proved tough for Newark against a determined Whitchurch team unbeaten this season.

Success for the home team gives them a place in the Midlands final against Droitwich who beat Leek,17-12, in the other tie in this section of the RFU’s Intermediate Cup.

Newark deserved more than a solitary try especially for a gutsy second-half performance which brought some good possession.

Whitchurch had taken control in the first half, despite a score from wing Alex Henderson off an interception from 40 metres out for Newark.

A rejigged team saw Rhys Overland given a rare chance at full-back while newcomers Dan Dykes and Lewis Himsworth were included on the bench.

After Newark conceded an early try, Henderson pounced to give the visitors some encouragement.

Whitchurch, however, dominated most of the half and used their bigger forwards to punch holes in the visiting defence.

It proved to be a tough afternoon. The home team led 24-5 at half-time and a further early try after the interval made the tie safe.

Newark enjoyed their best period when wing Billy Charles set off on a solo run from a quickly taken penalty. His chip and chase almost produced a try and Henderson was stopped just short minutes later.

Whitchurch grabbed two more tries in the final quarter but Newark kept pressing helped by the ploy of ‘tapping-and-going’ in an effort to gain a consolation score of two.

Newark are in league action next Saturday (Jan 27) at Loughborough, kick off 2.15pm. The second XV are also due to be playing at the Leicestershire club.

Team v Whitchurch: Overland; Charles, Britten, Spurr, Henderson; Mackie, Clark (capt); Hempstead, Bartsch, Appleton, Ellison, Matthysz, Boyd, Riley, Coulam.

Subs: Dykes, Bagga, Himsworth.

Try: Henderson.

Ps: thanks to the good number of travelling supporters who made the trip to Whitchurch.

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