The game was fast and furious
There was no let-up in the Newark pressure
Newark 28 Ashbourne 17
Newark staged another second-half comeback to post a second successive league win.
After overhauling Southwell last week, this time Ashbourne were overturned at Kelham Road after the Derbyshire visitors led 12-10.
Newark also collected a try bonus point for scoring four tries – a first-half effort from wing Rhys Overland followed by scores after the interval from hooker Jed Chapple and two speed merchants in Toby Taylor and Sam Booth who was adding to the crucial try he contributed in the win over Southwell.
The first team win was all part of a busy afternoon at Kelham Road. A ‘transitional’ 3rd team defeated a Boston XV 56-5 while a combined Newark and Southwell Vets team lost 17-49 to the invitation team The Mo-Bro’s. Thanks to all players and organisers plus president John Coles for his match-day sponsorship.
Below is Andrew Fearn’s match report on Newark’s 10th league win of the season….
From the outset Newark established pressure on the Ashbourne defence. After Newark won a line, Robbie Hunter-Shaw crashed over the try line, only to have his effort ruled out when the referee decided that the ball had been held up.
From the resultant scrum Newark won a penalty and elected for another scrum. It was a good decision as Matt Cox spun the ball wide and Rhys Overland went over on the left for the first try of the game. From a wide position Cox scored an accurate conversion to give Newark a 7-0 lead.
Newark kept Ashbourne pinned back in defence with a couple of long raking kicks by Cox. However, Ashbourne fought back and in an attack inspired by their powerful right winger, scored a try on the first occasion that they had visited the Newark 22.
Newark had fallen off some tackles but were reprieved from further damage when the conversion was missed.
Ashbourne suddenly looked confident and a missed Newark clearance on the right allowed Ashbourne to cross for a converted try.
Thirty minutes had gone and, despite Newark’s territorial advantage over the period, Ashbourne had a lead of 5 points.
Fran Appleton came on for Jordan Hempstead and Newark re-established their dominant pattern by winning a penalty on the Ashbourne 22 in front of the posts. Cox slotted the kick and Newark went into half-time two points adrift at 10-12.
After the restart, Newark immediately re-established their pressure and won an early penalty to the right of the Ashbourne posts in a kickable position. Cox duly obliged and Newark were in front again.
There was no let-up in the Newark pressure and from a penalty on the left, Cox kicked to touch. The line out was won and Newark scored an excellent push over try with Jed Chapple emerging with the ball. Cox missed the conversion but Newark were now in front by 18-12.
To their credit Ashbourne fought back and suddenly exploited gaps in the Newark midfield and went over for a try wide out on their left. The conversion was missed but Newark led by the narrow margin of 18-17.
The game was fast and furious at this stage and marked by a number of turnovers following mistakes on the firm ground.
Cox, went off injured and was replaced by veteran Chris Tate. Almost immediately Newark won a scrum just outside the opposition 22 and the ball was fed from No 8, Logan Watt, to scrum half, Sam Booth, who passed to Toby Taylor who jinked his way over for a try on the right.
The conversion was missed but Newark were back in the lead 23-17.
Once again, Ashbourne fought back and kicked the ball deep into the Newark half but Newark were rescued by Booth, who put in a valuable clearing kick to touch.
Almost immediately the increasingly influential Booth broke down the left and Newark won a penalty to the right of the opposition posts but Newark unfortunately failed to capitalise with points.
Newark entered their most influential period of play and a neat offload by Mason Coulam gave Booth another opportunity to break towards the try line.
Ashbourne had other ideas and turned the ball over before relieving the pressure by kicking into touch on the half way line. Newark came straight back and, once again, a great offload by Coulam gave Kent Birch the opportunity to set Booth free on the left.
It was no formality but Booth’s speed and agility enabled him to score Newark’s bonus point try. The conversion was missed but Newark ran out deserved winners by 28-17.
The win lifts Newark into seventh place in the table and the team finishes the league campaign next Saturday (April 13) at Ashby, kick off 3pm.
Newark team v Ashbourne: Hunter-Shaw; Taylor, Britten (capt), Birch, Overland; Cox, Booth; Hempstead, Chapple, Coulam, Seage, Williams, Spurr, Watt, Brogden.
Subs: Appleton, Godfrey, Tate.
Tries: Overland, Chapple, Taylor, Booth.
Conversion: Cox.
Penalty goal: Cox (2).
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