NEWARK 2nd XV
Matches
Sat 22 Oct 2022  ·  Counties 3 Midlands East (N) East
Newark RUFC
NEWARK 2nd XV
42
24
Ollerton
It all seemed so easy for Newark at the start.

It all seemed so easy for Newark at the start.

Newark - ADMIN ONLY RUFC - WEB SITE23 Oct 2022 - 05:07
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Ollerton hit back after going well behind

Newark 2nd XV 42 Ollerton 1st XV 24

By Bob Walker

This was the second week in succession that Newark 2nds ended the match on the right side of a big score. It's also the second week in succession when that score didn't fully reflect what was, in fact, a tough challenge from the opposition.

Ollerton modestly refer to themselves as a "pub team" and as they're based in the town's Plough Inn that description is - strictly speaking - true. But they are able to run two sides and despite appearances this was a young 1st XV with all but two of the side in their early 20s. And the way they hit back after going well behind proved sobering for the home side. Not bad for a "pub team"

It all seemed so easy for Newark at the start.

The eagle-eyed referee was assiduous in penalising every contravention of the laws, and Ollerton were pinged with monotonous regularity in the opening exchanges - allowing fly half George Leeson to send them well back into their own half. It wasn't long before repeated infringements and yellow cards reduced Ollerton to 13 players at one stage.

Newark's newest recruit, number 8 Alex Hales proved a real handful, bashing his way through midfield, sweeping would-be tacklers before him. Full Back Rhys Overland and Matt Christian - playing out of position on the left wing - combined in a fast counter attack and Leeson was held up diving for the line. Jason Matthysz wasn't to be denied from the follow up and a Leeson conversion made it 7-0.

Moments later Kent Birch - continuing his work from last week - broke through the middle from half way and a powerful hand off allowed him to offload to fellow centre Ed Armstrong who went under the posts. Leeson added the extra two points and three more after the first Ollerton yellow card . Another well struck penalty made it 20-0 after skipper Ben Wells had carried hard in midfield.

But things sort of began unravelling for Newark from that point. Birch, who'd been threatening to run riot again, left the field with a head injury and there were so many penalties and scrums for various offences that they lost their rhythm, allowing Ollerton's left winger to open their account with a try in the corner to make the half time score 20-5.

The second half began with another litany of penalties- this time conceded by Newark near their own line, leading to a converted Ollerton try. Things went from bad to worse when one of the visitors' big runners broke free from a breakdown and galloped under the posts. The successful conversion reduced the deficit to one point and by now the momentum was with the visitors.

But Ed Armstrong - who never seemed to miss a tackle all day - and the solid Christian snuffed out a number of dangerous Ollerton attacks and Leeson restored a measure of calm with a nicely struck penalty from near half way.

The pendulum swung back in Newark's favour after Will Baxandall launched a counter attack from a loose Ollerton kick. Leeson joined the move and sent Tom Partridge racing for the corner with an impressive burst of speed.

Ollerton couldn't get hold of the ball but some ill discipline and backchat from Newark led to an Ollerton penalty and subsequent try which put them within one score again before a nice Baxandall 50-22 kick pegged Ollerton back. Evergreen Alex Jackson made it 33-24 with a pick and go near the line and Leeson converted from near touch.

Then another burst and 50 yard run from flanker Josh Codd - the sort of run his father likes to think he made back in the day - led to Christian scoring a well deserved try in the corner. Codd junior always seems to punch well above his weight and had made a similar break moments before.

It's almost getting boring to write - but Leeson's conversion from near the touchline again was a thing of beauty. There are few kickers at this level that can match him.

This win takes Newark up to 4th in the league. But more than that, it shows the team has the strength of character to weather a storm and come back stronger.

TRIES: Jason Matthysz, Ed Armstrong, Tom Partridge, Alex Jackson, Matt Christian.
Conversions: George Leeson (four)
Penalties: Leeson (three)

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PLACES STILL AVAILABLE


Match details

Match date

Sat 22 Oct 2022

Kickoff

15:00

Location

Competition

Counties 3 Midlands East (N) East

League position

2
Newark II
7
Ollerton
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

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