Newark scored five tries

Report written by Rob Wildman

Newark Rugby

Saturday, Dec 7

Midlands One East

Newark 38 Huntingdon & District 6

Newark dominated this contest on a cold afternoon at Kelham Road to return to winning ways after last week’s defeat at Derby.

A 10th win in 13 league games this season lifts fourth-placed Newark past the total of points (43) accumulated in the 2012-13 campaign which ended in a relegation struggle.

Newark scored five tries including a first in league games for prop Rob Dunning while wing Martin Brummitt was making his first start for the senior team in four years.

Brummitt was quickly into his stride during a lively start for Newark which should have brought early points. The best chance fell to centre Aloesi Waqalevu but he was held up on the line.
Newark eventually broke through after 10 minutes when lock James Price forced his way over after a drive, led by Jon Webster, off the back of a line-out. James Offer, who converted all five tries, added the extra points for a 7-0 lead.

It took Newark another 20 minutes before Offer kicked a penalty in front of the posts when a period of pressure forced Huntingdon to step out offside.

Huntingdon had their best spell in the lead up to half-time which brought a successful penalty after a first attempt had hit the post.

Though Newark had flanker Ted Bunn sin binned in the lead up the first penalty, the 14-man home team finished well on top and collected a third try when hooker Ian Tomlinson finished off after several efforts by the forwards.

Newark led 17-3 at half-time and continued on the attack immediately after the interval led by captain Matt Clark which should have brought a further try.

Huntingdon kicked a second penalty to give them some hope of a comeback at 17-6 only for Newark to exert their power up front to gain a penalty try, 15 minutes into the half, when the visiting scrum was penalised under severe pressure.
That third try put Newark clear at 24-6 and two minutes later the try-bonus point was chalked up via Waqalevu who outsprinted the Huntingdon defence having taken a pass from Price on the left.

To finish matters off yet more forward pressure brought Newark’s fifth try, prop Dunning claiming the score after another move off a line-out close in to the Huntingdon line.

It capped a good all-round display by Newark led by the forceful running of full-back Mark Byrom and the collective drive of a pack growing in confidence. They were also helped by Offer kicking 13 points from five conversions and a penalty.

Newark next Saturday play at Kettering, kick off 2.15pm, where spectators are charged £5 a head.

Team: Mark Byrom; Brummitt, Waqalevu, Tate, Galinski; Offer, Matt Clark (capt); Dunning, Tomlinson, Barnsdale, Tatham, Price, Bunn, Lewis Cove, Webster.

Subs: Shiels, Primett, Dixon.

Tries: Price, Tomlinson, pen try, Waqalevu, Dunning.

Conversions: Offer (5). Penalty goal: Offer.

Sin bin: Bunn.

Rob Wildman