NEWARK BRIEFLY RAISED HOPES!

REPORT WRITTEN BY Rob Wildman

Midlands Two East North

Saturday March 11

An excellent first-half spell was the highlight of a disappointing trip to Ashbourne for Newark who endured another away defeat.

Newark were also hit by injuries losing lock Jonny Statham in the first five minutes, due to a back injury, and centre Dan Mackie 10 minutes later. He was hurt in a tackle near the touchline.

Yet despite the disruption, Newark fought back from conceding an early try to enjoy a dominant period. That patch brought a try for prop Rob Dunning off a well-worked drive from a line-out.

However, that was the high point because Newark allowed a 5-5 scoreline to slip to a 5-22 half-time deficit;
Ashbourne scoring three tries making the visitors pay for mistakes.

The second half was a muddy spat culminating in a yellow card for both captains.

Newark briefly raised hopes by grabbing a try when a high kick ahead led to a score for flanker Ed Poulson after lock Mikey Boyd had pounced on the opposing full-back to grab possession.

That try should have given Newark heart at 12-22 but the final quarter was disappointing to say the least.

Ashbourne scored three more tries thriving on more visiting lapses and, on one occasion, the concession of 30 metres for backchat at the referee.

The defeat continued Newark’s dismal away record this season of two wins from nine league games.

Newark have a week off before resuming league games at home to Coalville on Saturday, March 25 at Kelham Road, kick off 3pm.

Team: Scott; Chapple, Mackie, Charles, Hunter-Shaw; Dixon, Clark; Dunning, Bartsch, Pick, Boyd, Statham, Poulson, Riley, Garland (capt).

Subs: Coulam, Bagga.

Tries: Dunning, Poulson.

Conversion: Scott.