A RESOLUTE DISPLAY AFTER THE BREAK BROUGHT FOUR TRIES

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Saturday April 1

Midlands Two East North

A strong second-half performance brought Newark a first league away win in 2017.

Newark turned round 15-7 down at half-time prompting fears of another disappointing defeat on the road this season.

However, a resolute display after the break brought four tries to go alongside a first-half effort from Aloesi Waqalevu which had given Newark an early lead. Alex Scott landed four conversions.

Kesteven played their best rugby in the first half and scored two tries to gain that lead of 15-7.

Newark, helped a little by the conditions in the second half, clinically took their chances. They also defended well to deliver an 11th win of the season.

Early pressure at the start of the second half ended in a try for full-back Dan Mackie following a clever interchange between Waqalevu and Chaz Dixon.

That try put Newark within three at 12-15 down only for Kesteven to land a long-range penalty goal for a 12-18 advantage.

Newark responded by dominating the next 20 minutes to settle the contest. Lock Johnny Statham, lurking off the mauls and rucks, showed his pace for the third to be followed by Waqalevu’s second.

The fifth and final try for Newark came from an excellent collective effort ending in wing Billy Charles scoring out wide.
Scott converted for a 33-18 lead.

Kesteven had the last word in the closing stages when grabbing a third try which was converted.

Overall, it was another improved performance following narrow defeat to Coalville.

While Waqalevu’s strong running always posed a threat behind, the pack showed a collective resilience to help gain a bonus point win.

Newark play their final home league game of the season next Saturday (April 8) against Loughborough at Kelham Road, kick off 3pm.

All welcome.

Team: Mackie; Charles, Dixon, Waqalevu, Hunter-Shaw; Scott, Chapple; Hempstead, Bartsch, Dunning, Boyd, Statham, Crosby, Bagga, Poulson.

Subs: Clark, Barnsdale, Fotheringham.

Tries: Waqalevu (2), Mackie, Statham, Charles.

Conversions: Scott (4).

Scoring sequence (Newark first): 7-0 Waqalevu try & Scott con, 7-5 Kesteven try, 7-8 Kesteven pen, 7-15 Kesteven try & con, half-time, 12-15 Mackie try, 12-18 Kesteven pen, 19-18 Statham try & Scott con, 26-18 Waqalevu try & Scott con, 33-18 Charles try & Scott con, 33-25 Kesteven try & con.