NEWARK 1st XV
Matches
Sat 12 Oct 2019
MELTON MOWBRAY
7
48
Newark RUFC
NEWARK 1st XV
Tries: M Cox ® (3), T Taylor ®, R Hunter-Shaw ®Conversions: M Cox ® (4)
21 points from fly half Matt Cox

21 points from fly half Matt Cox

Newark - ADMIN ONLY RUFC - WEB SITE13 Oct 2019 - 10:38
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Newark reflected on a job well done

Saturday Oct 12

RFU Intermediate Cup 3rd rd

Melton 7 Newark 48

Newark produced an impressive Cup win at Melton where they were inspired by a contribution of 21 points from fly half Matt Cox.

Overall, Newark won by eight tries to one and were also helped by an impressive centre Tuks Vinakasa.

Tuks contributed two tries while backs Toby Taylor and Robbie Hunter-Shaw scored one each.

The final score went to evergreen Matt Cove who played as a substitute in a squad including three other over 40s!

Here chairman Andrew Fearn provides a blow-by-blow encounter of the match at Melton.

At kick off, the omens did not look good. A number of first team absentees led to a re-jigged squad and to make matters worse, Newark faced a literal uphill battle in the first half.

Melton kicked off and the ball was safely gathered in by Newark before being successfully re-cycled through several phases until stand-off, Matt Cox, was released and threw a huge dummy before cutting back and beating the cover to touch down on the right.

It was a satisfying start for the side but especially for Cox who spent several seasons playing for the Melton club. To add insult to injury he added the conversion to give Newark a 7 point lead.

Newark attacked again following the re-start and a sharp line break by scrum half Billy Charles was foiled short of the line. The ball was quickly released and, once again, Cox slipped the cover and scored in the right hand corner before converting his own try.

Melton counter-attacked and an opportunity near the Newark line led to a nasty clash of heads which led to their No 14 and Newark's Josh Watts leaving the field for safety reasons.

Watts was replaced by Newark backs' coach, James Offer, who made some classy contributions during his time on the pitch.

Melton laid siege to the Newark line and stern defence was required to prevent a score before a home attack broke down enabling Max Spurr to storm out of defence and to safety. It was the first of many interventions by the influential back row.

Newark continued to threaten and forceful work by Tuks created an opportunity for wing Toby Taylor to skilfully dot down in the right corner. The conversion was missed but Newark were a comfortable 19-0 up.

Newark were soon attacking again and a powerful run by flanker Josh Stamp led to the ball being fed out to the right for full back Robbie Hunter-Shaw to cross the line for another try. Once again the conversion was missed.

Newark then came under sustained pressure on their own line and brave defence was required to repulse the Melton offensive.
After two penalties within metres of the Newark line, the rolling maul crossed the line but was adjudged 'held up' by the referee and the half-time whistle was blown with Newark 24-0 ahead.

Newark kicked off for the second half and immediately came under pressure again. Neither side was able to establish an advantage until Tuks took advantage of a loose ball to run in 35 metres for a fine individual score which Cox converted.

Newark re-established pressure on Melton defence and it was Cox who forced himself over to score his third try which he also converted. It represented an outstanding hat trick for the No 10.

At last, Melton were able to capitalise on some pressure on the Newark defence to score far out on their right. The try was converted but they still faced a 31 point deficit as the score was 7-38.

Another Melton attack saw Cox being caught offside in a critical position and he was yellow-carded for his infringement. Despite being reduced to 14 men, Newark continued to threaten and Tuks collected a loose ball in midfield to gallop over for a try from half way.

It completed an impressive debut by the Fijian who was prominent in both attack and defence. Newark once again exerted pressure on the Melton line and replacement, Matthew Cove, crashed over for a final try.

There was no conversion but Newark reflected on a job well done with a scoreline of 7-48.

Newark return to league action next Saturday, at home to Ilkeston, kick off 3pm.

Team v Melton: Hunter-Shaw; Watts, Waqalevu, Vinakasa, Taylor; Cox, Charles; Appleton, Quinlan, Hempstead, Matthsyz, Duncan, Corcoran, Spurr, Stamp.

Subs: Cove, Godfrey, Offer.

Tries: Cox (3), Taylor, Hunter-Shaw, Vinakasa (2), Cove.

Cons: Cox (4).


Match details

Match date

Sat 12 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Instructions

RFU Intermediate Cup – 3rd round
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

CLUB'S MAIN SPONSOR - Newark Storage
GOLD & 1st TEAM SPONSOR  - SPI Marine (UK) Ltd
GOLD & BIG SCREEN SPONSOR - InXpress
SILVER SPONSOR - BENOY
BRONZE SPONSOR - Turnbull & Co Limited