INSPIRED PLAY FROM COEN

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Saturday Sept 10 - Midlands Two East North
Newark 20 Market Bosworth 17

A new-look Newark team made a winning start to the league campaign thanks to some aggressive defence in overcoming determined Leicestershire rivals.

New head coach Ben Buxton unveiled a team containing four league debutants among the starters led by captain Tom Coen who has taken over from Matt Clark.

Clark has retained his place in the team and his experience helped pull Newark through some difficult periods, especially late on when Bosworth threatened to steal the points.

Joining Coen and Clark in the starting XV, were debutants in full-back Tom Mawer, wing Billy Charles, centre Dan Padgett and lock Mikey Boyd.

There was also a welcome return for two familiar figures in back rowers Lewis Cove and Freddie Tatham. On the bench, regular Jon Webster was joined by two more new faces in Ben Huddlestone and Rob Edwards.

Newark’s defence was tested from the start when Bosworth took command through an early penalty after an initial shot at goal had hit the upright.

It needed a moment of inspired play from Coen to change the course of the game when the No 8 picked up from a scrum in midfield to score the opening try.
Dan Mackie added the conversion and a further penalty just before the interval to put Newark 10-3 up.

When Tatham pounced for Newark’s second try, after charging down a clearance kick in the Bosworth 22, the home team looked secure at 17-3, Mackie adding the conversion.

However, Bosworth dominated the final 20 minutes to score two tries while a second penalty from Mackie proved crucial in keeping Newark ahead.

Newark travel to Matlock next Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Newark: Mawer; Charles, Padgett, Birch, Chapple; Mackie, Clark; Dunning, Brown, Hempstead, Boyd, Statham, Tatham, Cove, Coen (capt).

Subs: Webster, Huddlestone, Edwards.

Tries: Coen, Tatham.
Conversions: Mackie (2).
Penalty goals: Mackie (2).