Midlands Two East North
Market Rasen 37 Newark 17
Newark scored first at Market Rasen but overall endured a difficult trip to Lincolnshire losing by six to three.
The match was moved from the main pitch to one nearby because of the recent rain even though this pitch also had standing water.
Newark's tries came from roving forward Mason Coulam who scored the first two and wing Billy Charles.
Here chairman Andrew Fearn reports on a windy afternoon.
Newark kicked off against the wind and quickly exerted pressure on the Rasen defence.
Good carries released Mason Coulam on the left and he crossed for an encouraging early score.
Rasen struck back quickly with a successful penalty in front of the posts to peg Newark back to 3-5. A Newark line out about 30 metres out from their own line was won by Rasen who ran good straight lines in midfield with support for ball carriers and crossed for an impressive try which was then converted.
Matters suddenly became worse for Newark when a failed clearance was won by Rasen and kicked on. The ball rebounded off the corner post and Rasen won the race to touch down. The promising early lead had suddenly become a 15-5 deficit.
Encouragingly, Newark were mastering the scrums and two successive scrums in the Rasen 22 led to Newark hooker, Mason Coulam, showing determination and good footwork to cross for a try which was converted by Alex O'Dell.
Newark were back in the game but were unable to hold out until half-time when good close work up front saw Rasen cross for a late try.
As Newark turned around at half-time, they will have believed that they were in the game with only an eight point deficit and the wind at their backs for the second half.
It was not to be as Rasen were quickly into their stride at the outset to take advantage of slack Newark tackling to cross for an early try.
Unfortunately, this set the tone of the half and Newark struggled to maintain possession and take advantage of their combative opponents.
Making their most of their possession, Rasen once again cut through for a try followed swiftly by a breakaway try.
Only the first was converted but Newark were 37-12 behind.
Billy Charles restored some respectability with a well-constructed late try on the left following a tap penalty.
Unfortunately, it was a consolation score and Newark were left to reflect on what might have been.
Team v Market Rasen: Hunter-Shaw; Overland, Taylor, Britten, Charles; Scott, O’Dell; Appleton, Coulam, Hempstead, Ellison, Woodman, Denning, Webster, Garland.
Subs: Quinlan, Corcoran, Dobson.
Tries: Coulam (2), Charles.
Conversion: O’Dell.
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