Newark 12 West Bridgford 19

The first team squad deservedly gained a losing bus point from a tough opening contest to the league campaign at Kelham Road.

Newark started and finished on a high by scoring tries through back-rower James Brogden and full-back Sam Hawkins, on his league debut, to keep tabs on a strong Bridgford outfit.

However, in between, Bridgford had the territory to score three ties which kept them ahead of the hosts who had to settle for that single point.

After the no show in losing 36-0 to Stamford in a friendly last week, Newark were much better from the start on a windy day.

Newark, playing against the elements in the first half, weathered the opening Bridgford momentum to build some good phases themselves.

And the pressure eventually led to Brogden finishing off in the left corner after some neat play which split open the Bridgford defence after the home pack had been originally held up.

Bridgford hit back straight away and capitalised on Newark losing lock Ben Jackson to injury. As home heads went down under the weight of pressure, Bridgford polished off two tries to put them 12-5 up.

Newark finished the half frustrated as a good chance went begging following good work by wing Joe Doubell and hooker Ollie Dodders.

The second half saw Newark have the upper hand early on but, like the end of the first half, one or two chances were missed, especially when captain Matt Walton was set free on the left.

It was also a bruising half as both wings – Harry Allen and Joe Doubell – went off. To make matters worse Bridgford escaped from deep for their third try in an attack which caught out the Newark defence.

To the credit of Newark they did not fold and a try, eight minutes from the end, from full-back Hawkins came off some more crisp rugby, centre Noah Catley supplying the crucial pass.

George Leeson, whose kicking out of hand and helped push back Bridgford, converted to cut the deficit. The fly half then almost narrowed the gap further in the closing stages through a long-range penalty which was pushed wide of the posts.

Overall, the performance was a big improvement on last week’s effort against Stamford.

Next up is a another home match next Saturday, against Dronfield, kick off 3pm.
All welcome.

Team: Hawkins; Allen, Walton (capt), Catley, Doubell; George Leeson, Paley; Ashton, Dodders, Godfrey, Jackson, Clayton, N Leeson, Marshall, Brogden.
Subs: Dogiel, Cobb, Waqalevu.
Tries: Brogden, Hawkins.
Conversion: George Leeson.