A win by five tries to three

Newark Rugby
Saturday, Nov 23
Midlands One East

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Newark 36 Coalville 17

Newark got back to winning ways over Coalville in a match which produced eight tries at Kelham Road.

After the disappointing performance at Bugbrooke, Newark resumed league action after a week off determined to find the form which has impressed supporters all season.

A win by five tries to three lifted Newark into third place, 14 points off leaders Peterborough Lions, following the defeat of Old Northamptonians by improving Bugbrooke.

Next stop for Newark is an away game against second-placed Derby next Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.

Newark overcame a Coalville lead of 12-3 to power clear in the later stages of the first half.

Coalville opened the scoring through the first of their three tries before James Offer put Newark on the scoreboard, the fly half kicking a penalty goal.

Newark tried throughout to spread the ball to the wings only for the ploy to hand Coalville a try off an interception.

Coalville converted the try to lead 12-3 but Newark dominated the rest of the half to lead 19-12 at the break.

Flanker Ted Bunn was rewarded for some excellent support play by backing up the work of full-back Mark Byrom who twice kicked ahead to open up the Coalville defence.

Both teams had a man sin binned – Freddie Tatham receiving a yellow for Newark – in the final minutes of the half.

Newark finished on top thanks to Offer’s second penalty and Matt Cox finished off a move from 30 metres out following Byrom’s initial break.

Though they started with seven forwards, Tatham being still off the field, Newark kept up their dominance to take control though Jon Webster’s try off the back of the scrum, the No 8 picking up to power over.

Offer converted Webster’s try to put Newark 26-12 ahead and a try by prop Jason Barnsdale registered the bonus point after a catch and drive move.

Coalville fought back to score a third try but Newark did not have a late panic and managed to score a fifth, wing Nick Galinski helping to put Byrom over.

Newark coach Nathan Smith named hooker Ian Tomlinson as man-of-the-match while also praising the individual effort of Webster to score off the back of a scrum.

All three substitutes were involved while centre Cox suffered a injured thumb which needed medical treatment.

Scores: 0-5 Coalville try, 3-5 Offer pen Newark, 3-10 Coalville try, 3-12 Coalville con, 6-12 Offer pen Newark, 11-12 Bunn try Newark, 14-12 Offer pen Newark, 19-12 Cox try Newark, 24-12 Webster try Newark, 26-12 Offer conversion Newark, 31-12 Jason Barnsdale try, 31-17 Coalville try, 36-17 Byrom try.

Team: Mark Byrom; Waqalevu, Tate, Cox, Galinski; Offer, Matt Clark (capt); Barnsdale, Tomlinson, Tinsley, Tatha, Primett, Bunn, Lewis Cove, Webster.

Subs: Dunning, Dixon, James Price.

Tries: Bunn, Cox, Webster, Barnsdale, Byrom.

Conversion: Offer.

Penalty goals: Offer (3)
.
Sin bin: Tatham.

Rob Wildman