A rejigged team produce a Win

Midlands Two East North
Melton 3 Newark 48

Newark notched up a second big victory at the start of their campaign in Midlands Two East North.

After scoring 11 tries in posting a 70-0 win over Notts Casuals last week, Newark scored seven more touchdowns in a resounding success at Melton on Saturday.

The win came after the team had to be rejigged at training on Thursday evening after injury ruled out Danny Coen who was in line to take over from the unavailable Matt Clark at scrum-half.

Matt Woolridge proved to be an able back up as injury also ruled out Ben Ennals from stepping up after duty for the 2nd XV last week. Captain Chris Tate was also unavailable this week and his place at full-back went to Mark Miller.

To complete the reshuffle Matt Cox started at fly half carrying on from last week’s win over Casuals when he replaced Coen at half-time.

Cox had a profitable afternoon kicking Newark into an early lead in the 10th minute before two quick tries from Jon Webster and Waqalevu put the Blue and Whites firmly in control.

Melton came back to score their only points through a penalty goal before a third Newark try, this time from No 8 Ryan Fisher, gave the visitors a 22-3 lead at half-time.

Though mistakes spoiled some of Newark’s play in the second half, four more tries were notched up to complete the success.

Lock Jon Evans raced away for the first one after the interval to be followed by one each from centres Alex Moore and Sam Sibilski. The last touchdown went to Buddha. Cox kicked five conversions in all to go alongside his opening penalty.

Newark used all three substitutes in second half including appearances for two elder statesmen in prop Mick ‘New Boots’ Barker and Richard Byrom. Will Naylor also got a run out when taking over from Webster.

The next league game is on Saturday week (Oct 1) at home to Moderns, kick off 3pm. No 1st XV game is planned next Saturday, Sept 24, as Newark have a bye in the first round of the Intermediate Cup. The 2nd XV, who missed out on action this weekend, are due to play at Market Rasen.

Team: Miller; Waqalevu, Sibilski, Moore, J Statham; Cox, Woolridge; J Barnsdale, Tomlinson, Shiels, Evans, Primett, Webster, L Cove, Fisher.
Subs: Barker, \Naylor, Byrom.
Tries: Webster, Waqalevu (2), Fisher, Evans, Moore, Sibilski.

Rob Wildman