Newark started the game strongly

A strong all-round team display helped Newark post their second league win of the campaign.

No 8 Jonathan Webster scored two tries to reward some good forward play while halfbacks Alex O’Dell and Hugo Kelleway contributed one each.

Here chairman of rugby Tim Barker updates followers on events at Casuals.

Newark faced a cold stiff breeze in the first half but started the game strongly with a powerful run from Will Ellison who fed onto Alex O’Dell who made ground before putting a kick in which forced Casuals to concede a five-metre scrum.

Newark, who dominated the set scrum all afternoon, comfortably won the ball and it was O’Dell who darted over for the first try after just two minutes.

For the next quarter neither side could impose themselves until the home side’s No 8 found some space and some missed tackles allowed him to go over near the posts for a converted try to give Casuals an unexpected lead at 7-5.

It was the only time that the home side were to be ahead and it didn’t last for long. Within five minutes good Newark pressure saw Tuks Vinakasa go close and Will Ellison was held up over the line.

From the ensuing five-metre scrum the dominant Newark pack forced Casuals back over their line for No 8 Jonathan Webster to control the ball and dot down for his first of the day to give Newark a 7-10 lead.

Almost immediately Newark gathered a loose ball on halfway and quickly moved it to the right through Hugo Kelleway and Will Britten to put Tuks in space.

He stepped inside and fed Kelleway who was supporting to go over near the posts for his first Newark try on his second appearance. O’Dell converted for a 7-17 lead.

Newark then threatened to pull away with an impressive series of passes down the left side covering 50 metres only for Aloesi Waqalevu to be edged into touch.

The Casuals throw was adjudged to be not straight which left Newark with a scrum and a strong expectation from the travelling supporters that another push over try was on the cards.

Casuals conceded two penalties at the scrum which frustrated Newark from getting over the line and this was compounded when the referee awarded the home side a relieving penalty and that allowed them to clear their lines before the half-time whistle.

Newark started strongly in a wind-assisted second half, but could never really get away from Casuals.

Webster went over for his second on 50 minutes which O’Dell converted for a comfortable 7-24 lead and a try bonus point.

Newark pressed hard but couldn’t find another try. It looked like Kelleway was going over for his second after a strong break, but he could not find Rhys Overland who was outside him.

It was the home side who had the last say with a soft try with a couple of minutes to go to give a final score of 12-24.

The bonus point win takes Newark up one place to ninth but still with games in hand over a number of other teams.

Newark v Casuals: Taylor; Tuks, Waqaelvu, Britten (capt), Charles, Kelleway, O’Dell; Appleton, Tomlinson, Hempstead, Ellison, Matthysz, Duncan, Seage, Webster.

Subs: Quinlan, Garland, Overland.

Tries - Webster (2), O’Dell, Kelleway.

Conversions: O’Dell (2).

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