Newark’s unbeaten run extends to 13 games

Midlands Two East North
Moderns 0 Newark 32

Newark welcomed back fit-again Arran Riley for the first time this season in a win at Moderns.

Riley injured his shoulder at Paviors last April and had to wait until last month before returning to full action in the annual Boxing Day match for the President’s XV.

He started at No 8 in the win at Moderns which extends Newark’s unbeaten run to 13 games.

With second-placed Market Bosworth drawing 17-17 at home to Leicester Forest, the Newark’s lead at the top of Midlands Two East North is now extended to 12 points.

Riley was not the only new name on the Newark team-sheet this weekend as substitute flanker David Fotheringham also got his first taste of league action this season.

Fotheringham replaced Jon Webster in one of three second-half changes which also brought chances for prop Darren Gray and wing Tom Bridges.

Two early penalty goals from Matt Cox edged Newark ahead before Toby Edlin, on the left wing, scored the first of two tries just before half-time following an attack down the blindside.

Newark upped the pace and concentration in the second half to score three tries to notch up an 11th bonus point of the campaign so far.

The versatile Mark Byrom, who started at scrum-half last week, contributed Newark’s second try in the 48th minute before Freddie Tatham, hurdling over a mini ruck, scored the third to be followed by a final score from Edlin who raced away from a long way out to score near the posts.

Cox, who had converted Edlin’s try just before half-time, improved the last two touchdowns to take his personal tally to 12 points for the afternoon.

Newark have no league game next Saturday. It is hoped a friendly fixture will be found.
The next competitive action comes on Saturday, Jan 28, when Bosworth visit Kelham Road, kick off 2.15pm.

Team: Tate (capt); Britten, Waqalevu, M Byrom, Edlin; Cox, Clark; May, Tomlinson, Barnsdale, Primett, Tatham, Webster, L Cove, Riley.
Subs: Gray, Fotheringham, Bridges.

Tries: Edlin (2), M Byrom, Tatham.
Conversions: Cox (3).
Penalty goals: Cox (2).

Rob Wildman