Another disappointing day for supporters

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Saturday Jan 11

Midlands One East

Market Rasen 33 Newark 15

Newark slipped to a third successive league defeat after another slow start gave their Lincolnshire rivals the momentum to avenge last September’s result at Kelham Road.

Rasen out jumped Newark at the kick off and never let up to engineer the first of five tries without reply. Late scores by Matt Clark and James Price gained the visitors some consolation.

Newark, who had plenty of possession on a pitch in good condition despite the recent rain, turned round 21-3 down and conceded two further tries after the break to be 33-3 behind.

Overall, Newark made too many individual errors and lacked cohesion to turn their possession into points until late on when some good forward work brought those tries for Clark and Price.

If there were any positives from another disappointing day for supporters, Nick Galinski showed up well in attack at centre, having moved in from the wing to partner Aloesi Waqalevu, and the pack showed at times they are a competitive bunch when they are properly focused.

However, a bad afternoon also included a worrying ankle injury for wing Will Britten who had to be helped off early in the second half. Hooker Ian Tomlinson was also helped off late on.

After Rasen had scored early, Newark played some neat rugby to gain a penalty which James Offer kicked, but the good work was undone in the second quarter.

Newark had camped themselves in the Rasen 22 only for a clearing kick by the home team to lead to a second try, the visiting defence failing to clear their lines in a comic mix up.

To complete a dismal period Newark then a had stray pass intercepted in midfield to hand Rasen a third try for a half-time lead of 21-3, all three tries converted.

Britten was injured soon after the re-start when he damaged his ankle in jumping for the ball. He was replaced by Jack Badley.

Rasen dominated the play and their pressure was rewarded through two further tries as Newark looked thoroughly forlorn.

To their credit, however, they responded to dominate the later stages helped by Rasen, who had one yellow card in the first half, having two players sin binned. Offer converted Newark's second try by James Price.

Newark will hope for a better display next Saturday when Matlock visit Kelham Road, kick off 2.15pm.

Scoring sequence:
5-0 Rasen try, 7-0 Rasen conversion, 7-3 Offer pen, 12-3 Rasen try, 14-3 Rasen con, 19-3 Rasen try, 21-3 Rasen con. HT. 26-3 Rasen try, 28-3 Rasen con, 33-3 Rasen try, 33-8 Clarkt try, 33-13 Price try, 33-15 Offer con.

Team:
Mark Byrom; Brummitt, Galinski, Waqalevu, Britten; Offer, Matt Clark; Dunning, Tomlinson, Tinsley, Primett, Tatham, Price, Lewis Cove, Webster.

Subs: Shiels, Dan Price, Badley.

Tries: Matt Clark, James Price.

Con: Offer.

Penalty: Offer.

Sin bin: Tatham.

Rob Wildman