A tough afternoon for Newark

Midlands One East
Newark 3 Ilkeston 38

A tough afternoon for Newark finished in a major statement of intent by league leaders Ilkeston who posted a victory by five tries to nil at Kelham Road.

Ilkeston played some excellent rugby at times and looked very much promotion hopefuls. To Newark’s credit they never capsized completely and enjoyed good periods of possession in the second half led by prop Shaun May and Ed Collishaw, making his first start of the season at centre.

The starting Newark XV showed no fewer than eight changes from the previous week’s victory at Loughborough.

Among those missing through unavailability and injury were captain Chris Tate, halfbacks Danny Coen and Matt Clark plus centre Alex Moore whose new work commitments will radically restrict his future involvement.

Tom Bridges took over at No 15,Toby Edlin came in on the wing, Matt Cox was moved back to fly half while up front there was a return for David Rhodes plus fit-again James Price at No 8.

Ilkeston led from the opening minutes through a penalty goal and led 17-3 at the interval, having scored three tries, the first one by ex-Newark player Steve Fowkes.

A Cox penalty rewarded a brief period of Newark pressure after 30 minutes but any hopes of a revival to excite a decent crowd disappeared straight after the interval when Ilkeston sped away from a midfield breakdown to score outwide.

Two more tries in the half completed Ilkeston’s display leaving Newark to gallantly try to find some consolation through the forceful play of May and the promptings of Mark Byrom at scrum-half.

The defeat for Newark drops the team from sixth to ninth while Ilkeston head the table on points difference from Peterborough Lions, both teams having won five games.

The next league game for Newark is on Saturday (Oct 13) at Towcestrians, kick off 3pm.

Team: Bridges; Edlin, Badley, Collishaw, Statham; Cox, Mark Byrom; May, Tomlinson, Gray, Primett, Evans, Rhodes, Tom Coen, Price.

Subs: Priestley, Fotheringham, Webster.

Penalty goal: Cox.

Rob Wildman

Match photos At Newark below