The tries came thick and fast

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Newark Rugby - Saturday, Nov 30

Midlands One East

Derby 36 Newark 22

Newark failed to take a point from this trip to Derby which saw the home team dominate possession and territory to win by five tries to three.

A valiant defensive effort almost brought Newark a losing bonus point but chance of that was wiped out by Derby’s final try which stretched the lead beyond the seven-point margin.

In between the fierce defence, Newark showed their attacking edge by scoring three tries through wing Nick Galinski, back-rower James Price and centre Aloesi Waqalevu.

Fly half James Offer kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Defeat leaves Newark in fifth place, 12 points behind second-placed Derby and 19 off the unbeaten leaders Peterborough Lions.

Newark hoped for much more from this match when Galinski charged in for the first try after Derby had opened through a penalty.
Galinski showed his running power by catching a Derby clearance and breaking through a number of tackles on his way to the line.
That try put Newark 5-3 up but Derby replied to score the first of their tries from a counter attack which was quickly followed by a second when Mark Byrom was yellow-carded.

Derby converted for a 15-5 lead which was reduced by three when Offer kicked a penalty.

The tries came thick and fast as the teams both scored one in the run up to the half-time whistle.
First, Derby scored off a rolling maul and the conversion put the home team 22-8 up only for Newark to get themselves back into the match thanks to Price’s busting effort which Offer converted.

Having played into the elements in the first half, Newark turned round in good heart to take the game to the strong Derby pack.

However, the home team had too much strength and engineered another try from a series of pick and goes to take a 29-15 lead.

Newark showed their capabilities when they gained possession thanks to one of his ‘specials’ by Waqalevu, the centre breaking clear to leave the Derby defence in his wake.

Offer converted Newark’s third try which put them within sight of a losing bonus point at 29-22 down, going into the final minutes. Another try would also have brought an extra point as well.

Derby, though, had the final word following a second sin binning for Newark when Dave Shiels, the substitute prop, was carded for an offence at a maul.
The home team took full advantage of the extra man to gain their fifth try from a push over which was converted to complete the scoring.

Head coach Nathan Smith did not award an individual man-of-the-match award but choose the whole team for their defence and effort.

Newark host Huntingdon and District next Saturday (Dec 7) in their last scheduled home league game before Christmas.
Kick off at Kelham Road is 2.15pm.

Scores – 3-0 Derby pen, 3-5 Galinski try, 8-5 Derby try, 13-5 Derby try, 15-5 Derby con, 15-8 Offer pen, 20-8 Derby try, 22-8 Derby con, 22-13 Price try, 22-15 Offer con, 27-15 Derby try, 29-15 Derby con, 29-20 Waqalevu, 29-22 Offer con, 34-22 Derby try, 36-22 Derby con.

Team: Mark Byrom; Dixon, Tate, Waqalevu, Galinski; Offer, Matt Clark; Dunning, Tomlinson, Barnsdale, Tatham, Primett, Webster, Lewis Cove, Price.

Subs: Shiels, Bunn, Brummitt.

Tries: Galinski, Price, Waqalevu.

Conversions: Offer (2).

Penalty goal: Offer.

Sin bins: Byrom, Shiels.

Rob Wildman