A damned close run thing.
The lead changed hands five times
After two successive league games in which our 2s ended up on the right side of big scores this was - to misquote the Duke of Wellington - a damned close run thing.
The lead changed hands five times as each side showed some impressive moments of inspiration followed by infuriating sloppiness.
The second XV forwards perhaps don't always get the credit they deserve, possibly due to this writer's complete ignorance of those mysterious dark arts within the pack. But even I couldn't miss the total dominance of our front row in the scrum. Sleaford regularly went backwards at a rate of knots and the only surprise is that we scored just the one pushover try. Huge credit must go to props Ben Wells, Sam Cobb and replacement Gareth Bartsch alongside hooker Haydn Godfrey - the latter also tackling like a demon throughout the 80 minutes as his battle scarred face showed at the end.
There was also a nice moment when 18-year-old winger Johno Armstrong came on as a replacement to join his 22 year brother Ed. Both of them joined the club with the Under Six age group and this was the younger Armstrong's first senior appearance. His brother put in another impressive performance, single handedly snuffing out a number of dangerous Sleaford attacks.
However, Sleaford scored the first try after a missed tackle allowed a runner to break free in our 22 but slick handling along the Newark backs, followed by a Godfrey carry allowed Dave Fotheringham to force his way over for our first try.
Some more neat passing between Ed Armstrong , winger Tom Partridge and fly half George Leeson ended with centre Chris Tate ghosting through under the sticks for a try which was converted by Leeson. Once again players from both sides suffered a series of injuries which disrupted play. Flanker Jason Matthysz, who had been relishing a series of bone shuddering collisions , eventually had to leave the field with a damaged shoulder. His fellow flanker Matt Christian suffered the same fate.
Sleaford reduced Newark's lead to four points with a well struck penalty and then regained the lead immediately following the re-start when some loose tackling and a fortunate bounce of the ball allowed the Sleaford player to win the race to the posts.
The left and right footed kicking combination of Leeson and Matt Cox enabled Newark to repel a number of Sleaford attacks but a careless fumble near the home side's try line led to a scrum and pushover try - touched down by Fotheringham for his second - which made the half time score 15-17.
After the re-start a Ben Wells carry and a show and go from Leeson led to a penalty which Cox converted but a turnover enabled the Sleaford fly half to score in the corner from long range. The conversion from touch made it 22-20 before a strong carry from Harrison Holborn created another penalty which Cox again stroked over.
Then a champagne moment as Newark tried to spin the ball wide. It went to ground but Cox neatly flipped the ball through his legs and Ed Armstrong picked up, dummied a pass to his brother and raced to the line. Cox converted to make the score 22-30.
There was still plenty of time for some late drama, though. Sleaford seemed certain to score following some speedy handling from the backs but Ed Armstrong appeared from nowhere to scythe down the ball carrier. Sleaford were awarded two penalties in quick succession near our line and it looked as if they had scored, only for the ball to be fumbled over the line. Leeson and Cox relieved the pressure with huge clearance kicks and Ed Armstrong also pushed Sleaford back with a rolling kick deep into home territory.
A word of praise, too, for Rhys Overland playing at scrum half. I think he has played every position in the backs this season alone. Is he the club's most versatile player?
They say it's a sign of a good team when you can win while playing poorly. This wasn't a terrible 2nd XV performance but we made a number of uncharacteristic errors and we've certainly tackled better. The result was in the balance right up until the whistle.
But let us not forget either that this is another victory over a first XV and we now lie third in the table - level on points with Paviors 2nd XV. This Friday's game at Southwell 2nds - just one place below us - should be a cracker.
Tries: Dave Fotheringham (2) Chris Tate, Ed Armstrong,
Conversions: George Leeson. Matt Cox
Penalties: Cox (2)
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2nd TEAM - OTHER CLUBS IN THE LEAGUE RESULTS CAN BE FOUND "HERE"
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