Paviors 2nd XV 24 Newark 2nd XV 12

Report by Bob Walker.

It's never nice to lose to Paviors.

But in this defeat there were positive signs that the coming season may prove to be a fruitful one.

Once again, another 2nd XV fixture vividly demonstrated the success of our club's youth and Colts structure.

This was a very young side (although veteran hooker Gareth Bartsch deserves a shout out) and the size difference was immediately noticeable as the two teams lined up.

Nevertheless, our scrum held its own against a much heavier pack, rarely ceding any ground and we also disrupted Paviors' line out throughout the game.

No fewer than three 17-year-old Colts made their senior rugby debuts: Ted Henderson, Evan Marshall and Lenny Coen. All three made important contributions.

There was also an impressive Newark debut for 20-year-old prop Charlie Musson who's joined us from Lincoln. With props at a premium these days, it's an exciting recruitment.

His front row colleague Archie Wilson also made his mark, holding up well in the scrum and making a number of big carries.

The side was skippered for the first time by George Davey who showed a calm authority against a Pavs side which used their big forwards to punch holes to set up a solid attack platform, particularly in the second half.

Paviors took the lead after just seven minutes following a quick tapped penalty in Newark's 22 but Newark fought back and spent much of the first half camped in home side territory.

We were denied a try after full back Johnny Marshall caught a high ball deep in his own half and set off on a 60m run. A try following his kick ahead was denied after the home touch judge ruled he'd put a foot in touch.

Wilson was then tackled just a few metres short after taking a neat delayed pass from Calum Holmes, playing out of his normal position at flanker.

There were other chances to score but silly errors and penalties handed over possession to Paviors at crucial moments.

Then Paviors added their second with an impressively worked move from their own 5m line. The ball was flung the width of the field and the winger's raw pace did the rest.

Newark second row Finn Bennett then broke the line and the impressive Johnny Marshall was tackled a metre out. The ball was quickly recycled and two passes ended with a try for fly half Maff Morgan to make the score 14 -5.

Sadly Paviors regained the re-start to cross for their third try.

They stretched their lead to 24-5 shortly after half time before Evan Marshall made a lovely break by stepping off his left and sprinting deep into the Pavs half.
Lenny Coen then marked his senior debut with a try after a simple but well executed scissors move with Marshall, his fellow Colt. Johnny Marshall converted.

Some brave defence restricted Paviors to that one second half try but despite threatening the home side's line on a number of occasions we were also unable to add any more points.

A defeat by two scores may not sound great but if Newark can cut down on their errors and penalty count there is no reason they can't gain some revenge against Paviors when they visit Kelham Road on Saturday.