All four home tries went to forwards

Midlands One East

Newark 27 Peterborough Lions 46

Newark gained a precious bonus point from a high-scoring and entertaining game at Kelham Road against promotion contenders Peterborough Lions.

Lions looked to be set for a comfortable victory midway through a first half in which they built a 29-0 lead thanks to four tries.
But Newark, helped by a supportive home crowd, fought their way back to gain a bonus point for scoring four tries through a resolute team effort fired up by some determined forwards.

All four home tries went to forwards started by No 8 James Price four minutes before half-time. His determined running was one significant factor in Newark gaining something from a tough contest.

The bonus point keeps Newark in 10th position ahead of Market Bosworth and Spalding who are also fighting to avoid a third relegation spot alongside bottom-placed Peterborough and Loughborough.

Newark’s performance in the second half gives them some confidence going into next Saturday’s ‘double header’ at Paviors which counts for league points and Notts Cup semi-final honours as well.

Kick off at Burntstump is 3pm.

After Tuesday’s win over Spalding in the NLD Shield semi-final, Newark had to rest several players though scrum-half Matt Clark returned following a leg injury. Jacob Andrews, who had stood in at No 9 for the midweek win, proved an able second-half substitute in a rejigged backline.

Andy Hill also continued his impressive return at full-back while Price was joined on the honours board in try-scoring front-rowers Dave Shiels and Ian Tomlinson plus lock Richard Primett. Matt Cox kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Shiels and Tomlinson struck midway into the second half to give Newark hopes of a bonus point. Though Lions had responded to score three tries after the interval to keep a firm grip, a last-ditch effort by Primett, following some powerful running by wing Nick Galinski, gained the bonus point.

Scoring sequence: 0-3 Lions pen, 0-8 try Lions, 0-10 con Lions, 0-15 try Lions, 0-17 con Lions, 0-22 try Lions, 0-27 try Lions, 0-29 con Lions, 5-29 Price try Newark, 7-29 Cox con Newark. Ht: 10-19 Cox pen Newark, 10-34 try Lions, 10-36 con Lions, 15-36 Shiels try Newark, 20-36 Tomlinson try Newark, 20-41 try Lions, 20-46 try Lions, 25-46 Primett try Newark, 27-46 Cox con Newark.

Team: Hill; Galinski, Badley, Tate, Britten; Cox, M Clark; Tinsley, Tomlinson, Shiels, Primett, Webster, Neil Clark, Spurr, Price.

Subs: Gray, Andrews, Barnsdale.

Tries: Price, Shiels, Tomlinson, Primett. Conversions: Cox (2). Penalty goal: Cox.

Next Saturday

Paviors v Newark – ‘double header’ – league and cup – kick off 3pm.

Rob Wildman