As usual Newark started slowly

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROB WILDMAN

Newark RUFC

Midlands One East

Saturday Jan 18

Newark 35 Matlock 14

Newark played their best rugby of 2014 to sweep aside Matlock in a second half which produced four tries at Kelham Road.
An uplifting performance from Matt Clark’s team enthused Newark’s big following for the first time this year following dismal displays in losing against Mansfield and Market Rasen.

Newark regained their form in a second half where they mixed some enterprising attack and solid defence which ultimately defied a big Matlock pack.
An all-round good performance was led by man-of-the-match James Price at No 8 while newcomer Max Spurr grabbed a try to go alongside some good defence.

Newark must now hope for more of the same next Saturday when leaders Peterborough Lions visit Kelham Road, kick off 2.15pm.

However, there were some gloomy points amid a generally upbeat performance. As usual Newark started slowly and quickly found themselves 7-0 down having conceded an early try and conversion to a Matlock team who looked set out to dominate the forward proceedings.

Newark gradually found their feet on a wet surface thanks to the bustle of Nick Galinski on the left wing, the enterprise of centre Chris Tate and full-back Mark Byrom plus the strong running up front of Price, Jon Webster and Fred Tatham.

Two penalty goals from James Offer, who contributed 15 points in all, reduced Matlock’s lead though Newark should also have scored a try or two late on in the half but both Galinski and Byrom were held up just short.
Newark continued on the attack at the start of the second half spurred on by the introduction of Shaun May up front.

It was May who barged off a line-out to set up Newark’s first try which was scored by Spurr on the right side after some good handling.
Offer converted the try from the touchline to put Newark 13-7 up and a second try quickly followed when the Matlock defence fumbled a kick ahead and flanker David Fotheringham pounced to score. Offer missed the conversion but the home team led 18-7.

Matlock then enjoyed their best period of the half to force a second try and conversion after some sustained forward play.
That cut the lead to 18-14 and a few nerves began to show in the Newark line up.

Those nerves were settled in the final 10 minutes. First, Offer landed his third penalty and some stout defence kept Matlock out when a try looked certain.

To complete a good performance Newark made sure of victory thanks to two tries in the final five minutes.

Hooker Ian Tomlinson used his strength to score from close range while Byrom made the final try for substitute wing Ben Dixon by breaking from his own half straight from the re-start following the previous try.

Team: Mark Byrom; Brummitt, Tate, Spurr, Galinski; Offer, Clark (capt): Barnsdale, Tomlinson, Tinsley, Dan Price, Tatham, Webster, Fotheringham, James Price.

Subs: May, Naylor, Dixon.

Tries: Spurr, Fotheringham, Tomlinson, Dixon.
Conversions: Offer (3).
Penalty goals: Offer (3).

Scoring sequence: 0-5 Matlock try, 0-7 Matlock con, 3-7 Offer pen, 6-7 Offer pen half-time; 11-7 Spurr try, 13-7 Offer con, 18-7 Fotheringham try, 18-12 Matlock try, 18-14 Matlock con, 21-14 Offer pen, 26-14 Tomlinson try, 28-14 Offer con, 33-14 Dixon try, 35-14 Offer con.

Rob Wildman