NEWARK 2nd XV
Matches
Fri 04 Nov 2022  ·  Counties 3 Midlands East (N) East
Southwell II
18
17
Newark RUFC
NEWARK 2nd XV
Tries: O Hilliam-Cooke ® , A Hales ®Conversions: M Cox ® (2)Penalties: G Leeson ®
The rugby Gods can be cruel.

The rugby Gods can be cruel.

Newark - ADMIN ONLY RUFC - WEB SITE5 Nov 2022 - 05:05
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Newark seemed transformed in the second half

Southwell 2nd XV 18 Newark 2nd XV 17

By Bob Walker

Having watched our 1st XV snatch two late victories over Southwell last season, there was , I suppose , an element of karma in this Southwell victory in front of a decent Friday night crowd. This was the very definition of a last gasp victory - the Red Men securing victory with the very last move of the game.

It was a disjointed start by our 2s, with Southwell taking the lead after three minutes through a penalty. They had a number of big runners who carried hard from first phase, although by and large we tackled well - Matt Cox in particular putting in some big hits in the opening exchanges.

But Southwell scored a well worked try out wide after 12 minutes which was converted from near the touchline. The home side had the advantage of playing down the infamous Park Lane slope but once again we didn't help ourselves with a few sloppy errors and penalties. Credit must go to the home side's tackling. Their line speed was impressive and they disrupted Newark's attempts to spread the ball wide. Too often we were forced to kick our way out of trouble and Southwell's back three often counter-attacked with interest.

Newark did show some determined defence on their own line when Southwell went through the phases and we were perhaps fortunate to give away a penalty rather than another seven points. Full back Ed Armstrong also relieved some of the danger with a trademark 50:22 kick just before half time.

Newark seemed transformed in the second half. Our scrum was dominant and Southwell were lucky not to concede at least one penalty try. A series of scrums near their posts ended with Oliver Hilliam-Cooke forcing his way over and a Cox conversion made it 13-7.

Another superb 50:22 from Armstrong led to a line out which ended with Alex Hales powering over for Newark's second try -just reward for the second row who carried well throughout the game. The conversion by Cox put Newark ahead by a point and a George Leeson penalty stretched the lead to 13-17.

Southwell seldom - if ever - ventured into our 22 during most of the second half but the pivotal moment came with around five minutes remaining. A well struck 50:22 gave them a lineout close to our line.It was well defended and Newark had opportunities to clear the danger but during a frenetic last five minutes we conceded two penalties that ended with that killer try.

It is to Southwell's credit that they were able to hang on despite the clear Newark territorial advantage in that second period.

The one consolation is that a losing bonus point puts us joint top of the league on points with Southwell - if only for 24 hours.

Tries: Oliver Hilliam-Cooke, Alex Hales.
Conversions: Mat Cox (2)
Penalty: George Leeson


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PLACES STILL AVAILABLE


Match details

Match date

Fri 04 Nov 2022

Kickoff

19:30

Competition

Counties 3 Midlands East (N) East

League position

1
Newark II
3
Southwell II
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

CLUB'S MAIN SPONSOR - Newark Storage
GOLD & BIG SCREEN SPONSOR - InXpress
BRONZE SPONSOR - Chiumento Ltd