Newark got off to a positive start

The defeat leaves Newark in fourth place, four points behind third-placed Matlock and six behind second-placed Dronfield.
West Bridgford, who beat Ilkeston 29-15, have opened a lead of 22 points at the top.

Here Pete Mitchell, director of rugby, reports on the afternoon…

The season’s previous encounter with Ashbourne was a close-run game, with just a two-point margin in favour of Newark.

In an attempt to put recent losses behind them, Newark got off to a positive start but a turnover gave Ashbourne a good attacking platform.
Matt Clark pulled off a try-saving tackle and a subsequent penalty gave Newark a line-out on the Ashbourne five-metre line.

However, Newark could not convert this great position into points and then let the opposition off the hook by conceding a careless penalty. The following 15 minutes was a scrappy affair with both sides conceding penalties. It was from one of these infringements that the home side set up a lineout on the Newark five-metre line.

A clean catch and some direct running from the Ashbourne backs led to the first try being scored adjacent to the Newark posts. 7 – 0 to Ashbourne.

From the restart, Newark launched a coherent attack with the ball finally being shipped out to Alex Henderson to score in the corner.
From wide out, Robbie Hunter-Shaw could not add the two points so 7 – 5 after 30 minutes of play. Ashbourne kicked the ball straight out at the restart and Newark elected to take a midfield scrum.

But, Newark were penalised and further careless play gave Ashbourne another penalty on the Newark five-metre line.
Additionally, Dave Shiels received a yellow card which brought Jordan Hempstead into the front row meaning that Tom Crosby had to take a 10-minute rest. From the ensuing scrum, Ashbourne were able to expose some poor Newark defence and score another try and conversion.

14 – 5.

From the restart Newark were again exposed and a strong Ashbourne attack gave them a penalty on the Newark 22. The kick to goal was successful giving Ashbourne a 17 – 5 lead as half-time approached.

Nevertheless, straight from the restart some good Ashbourne interplay and strong running from the backs led to another score under the posts. Half time 24 – 5.

The second half saw Newark playing up the hill and marginally into the breeze. A break and attacking run by Kent Birch gave Newark good field position and a high tackle gave Newark a penalty near the Ashbourne five-metre line.

A catch and drive enabled Clark to score in the corner. The conversion wasn’t completed. 24 – 10.

A much improved second half performance saw Newark mount several strong attacks -but just unable to convert pressure into points.
Going into the last quarter, Ashbourne suffered two concurrent yellow cards - but even this was not enough to allow Newark to trouble the scoreboard.

Fresh legs from the bench saw Max Chapple and Akaash Bagga join the fray. More impetus and further good phases supported more Newark attacks however the finishing was not to be and the game was to end 24 – 10.

In summary, Newark had enough chances but need to more clinical with their finishing. Additionally, too many careless penalties were conceded - 16 throughout the game.

Team: Coulam, Chapple J, Shiels, Boyd, Ellison, Spurr, Crosby, Garland; Tweedie, Clark; Henderson, Birch, Britten, Charles; Hunter-Shaw.

Substitutes: Hempstead, Bagga, Chapple M.

Tries: Henderson, Clark.

Newark firsts have no game for the next two weeks due to the Easter holidays and the decision of Bakewell to pull out of league fixtures.
The next scheduled first team match is at Coalville on April 14 followed by the visit of Dronfield to Kelham Road on April 21.

Newark’s match at Casuals, which was abandoned after 20 minutes because of the bad weather last week (March 17), has been re-arranged for Saturday April 28.