Newark started at pace

Saturday October 22

Midlands Two East North

An excellent start helped Newark record a fourth win of the league campaign which puts the team third in the table behind Melbourne and leaders Coalville.

Newark led 13-0 mid-way through the first half at Casuals and looked set for a good win and a bonus point. However, the visitors lost their clinical edge and needed a late try to keep ahead.

Next up for Newark is the much-awaited first ever league clash against local rivals Southwell next Saturday at Kelham Road, kick off 3pm.

The Red Men lost 25-19 at home on Saturday to Melbourne which put the Derbyshire team ahead of Newark on points difference.

Newark’s trip to Casuals proved to be a good afternoon for the pack who were well led by the try-scoring Mikey Boyd and James Price backed up by the versatile Johnny Statham who this season has gone from wing to lock and now to No 8.

Newark started at pace and Matt Law landed a long-distance penalty goal to get the scoreboard ticking over.
An attacking policy paid off in the first half hour and prop Rob Edwards finished off after a prolonged period of pressure to score the first of Newark’s three tries.

Newark’s best move of the match produced the second try when a sweeping attack on the left, featuring centre Aloesi Waqalevu, scrum-half Matt Clark and wing Max Chapple, ended in Boyd racing clear for a 13-0 lead.

To the credit of Casuals they quickly fought back and gained a try to make sure Newark knew they were not set for that anticipated easy win.

Law kicked a penalty to put Newark 16-5 up before Casuals ended the half by snatching a three-pointer themselves.

Newark turned round into a gusting wind and mounted some good midfield defence to keep hold on the match. Victory should have been secured when Tom Coen led one attack down the right only for the final pass to go astray.

After Casuals had gained the first score of the half through a second penalty goal, Newark responded to score a crucial third try, Price forcing his way through a ruck to stretch over.

Casuals had the final word when a last-minute penalty cut the deficit to seven which earned the home team a losing bonus point.

Newark team v Casuals: Mackie; Max Chapple, Waqalevu, Birch, Charles; Law, Matt Clark; Dunning, Tomlinson, Edwards, Boyd, Price, Duncan, Coen (capt), Statham.

Subs: Pick, Neil Clark, Hunter-Shaw.

Tries: Edwards, Boyd, Price.

Penalty goals: Law (2).

Scoring sequence (Newark first): 3-0 Law pen, 8-0 Edwards try, 13-0 Boyd try, 13-5 Casuals try, 16-5 Law pen, 16-8 Casuals pen (HT). 16-11 Casuals pen, 21-11 Price try, 21-14 Casuals pen.