Newark’s patchy early season form continued

Newark’s patchy early season form continued in a defeat to Ilkeston at Kelham Road on Saturday.

A try in the first half from back-row Logan Watt plus a conversion and penalty from fly half Alex O’Dell had earned Newark a 10-7 lead at half-time.

However, Ilkeston scored the only try after the interval and then held on to fend off a late Newark rally when they home team played some of their best rugby of the game.

Defeat for Newark continues a nervy start in the league campaign bringing only a win over Ashfield in four games.

Newark failed to find the attacking form of the previous week when they overpowered Melton in the Intermediate Cup.

This time a flatter performance brought only an early penalty from O’Dell when Ilkeston had been reduced to 14 men due to a sin binning.

Newark’s try came on the half hour off a scrum when Watt escaped down the right to score a try which was converted by O’Dell’s excellent kick from near the touchline.

That score put Newark 10-0 up but a lapse straight from the re-start allowed Ilkeston to get back on the attack leading to their first try which was converted.

Ilkeston continued on the attack at the start of the second half and a further try rewarded pressure.

Newark enjoyed the best of the possession in the latter stages and put Ilkeston under pressure but failed to break through.

Newark team: Hunter-Shaw; Overland, Waqalevu, Birch, Taylor; O’Dell, Charles; Appleton, Coulam, Hempstead, Matthysz, Woodman, Duncan, Stamp (capt), Watt.

Subs: Quinlan, Ellison, Watts.

Try: Watt.
Conversion: O’Dell.
Penalty goal: O’Dell.