Newark Pipped at the Post by West Bridgeford

With the South Seas contingent heading off to the strains of Isa Lei (for now) and a rather more traditional (i.e. predominantly forward-based) Newark side on the team sheet – not helped by half a dozen late cry-offs – this friendly was always going to be an interesting one.

Newark’s cause was not helped either by the use of uncontested scrums throughout, thus neutralising a potent attacking platform, whilst a lack of backs left them critically exposed to a rather more balanced Bridgeford outfit.

The visitors had started in aggressive mode, pushing Bridgeford back into their 22 with a blitz attack, before being marched back into their own, punished by a series of infractions and handling errors. The home side were pressing hard but luckily coughed up a penalty in the breakdown, giving Newark field position and the chance to go again, with a rolling set of phases and a maul over the line giving Andy Rush a touchdown and first score – 0-5 to Newark.

Seeking to capitalise on the momentum, Newark came again on the restart, but once more fell repeatedly foul of the ref’s whistle, allowing Bridgeford to show some moves of their own, putting together a nice move to stretch the Newark defence and finding the gap to score themselves – 5-5.

And with Duncan Bryant off following an unlucky blow to the neck in a tackle, Newark’s back line became more porous, and a combination of this and further infringements by the visitors saw Bridgeford score twice more in the half, both breakaways through some cavernous gaps in the Newark line – 19-5.

After the break and a chance to regroup, Newark came back in dominant mode, cutting the penalty rate and having the best of the contest for most of the second half. First to cross the line was the effervescent Matt Walton, after some hard charging by Rory Williams (playing at centre) supported by Dobbo put him into space and onto the scoreboard – 19-12, conv. Sam Dobson.

Ten minutes later Harrison Holborn – a handful for Bridgeford all day – barrelled over after a lineout gave Newark forwards a good position to drive for the try line – 19-19 (conv. Dobson).

The home side in the meantime were still in the game and looking dangerous with ball in hand and took their chance to unleash their backs after a scrum on the Newark 22 caught the defence napping, adding a crucial 7 points to their tally – 26-19.

But the final score of the day went to Newark’s evergreen Richard Byram, who grounded the ball in some style at the end of a concerted attack to add 5 points and a chance to draw the game. Unfortunately, Dobbo’s kick drifted agonisingly wide – 26-24, full time - but when all was said and done, no one was too unhappy with the result which was a fair reflection of the game.

A good team-building game for the 2s, with a strong second-half performance, players coping with unfamiliar positions and some unsung graft in the engine room – Vintners, AJ, Fothers, Godfrey and Garland were tireless at the breakdown – and great to see some new and returning faces putting in a good shift in the shape of Joe Hampsey, Sam Bolderson, Harry Lee and Lee Gillatt.

Thanks to the ref and to West Bridgeford for their hospitality and medical foot massage services…

Next up – Lincoln at Kelham Road

Tries: Rush, Walton, Holborn, Byrom
Conversions: Dobson (2)