The start of a new era for the 2nds

REPORT WRITTEN BY ROBERT (BOB) WALKER

Counties 2 Midlands East (North)

Grimsby 1st XV 21 Newark 2nd XV 21

Well...yes and here we go again (as a somewhat better journo than me once wrote) **

This was the start of a new era for the 2nds - playing in the eighth tier of English rugby - and it opened with a tough challenge in front of a vociferous home crowd on the sunny East Coast.

Honours were shared and it was probably a fair result but there were occasions when Newark could - perhaps should - have grabbed a bonus point win. There was some rustiness in this opening fixture and there was a tendency to spill the ball or concede annoying penalties and free kicks after probing deep into Grimsby territory. But Newark did more than enough to suggest that this could be another successful season in which they will lock horns with a host of 1st XV sides.

There were two tries for fly half Billy Charles - just reward for his man of the match performance - and one for winger Scott Edmed whose sheer pace left two Grimsby players floundering in his wake.
New recruit Jack Drabble, who also had an impressive game at full back, added three conversions.

Despite an encouraging start, Newark went behind after a Grimsby player stole a ball in a tackle and strolled over near the posts. But we came back straight from the kick off with youngster Archie Burford stealing ball and disrupting the Grimsby line out. Newark's hard work often went unrewarded through a series of annoying errors but they drew level after a loose kick was well fielded by centre Noah Catley. His well-timed pass enabled Edmed to race in for his try. Catley formed an impressive centre partnership with Ed Armstrong - both of them pacey and strong in the tackle all day.

However Newark turned over possession from the re-start and a series of short drives following a scrum near the try line eventually led to a second converted Grimsby try.

A long raking kick from Drabble into the Grimsby 22 was kicked straight back into the arms of Catley whose pass sent Charles under the posts for his first try. The visitors then took the lead when Charles sold a beautiful dummy from a breakdown. The field opened up for him and he had a clear run to the line. Drabble's conversion made the score 14-21.

Then a penalty to Grimsby for a high tackle in Newark's 22 led to a sequence of forward rumbles which culminated in the home side's third converted try.

And if that was the end of the scoring, it wasn't the end of the entertainment.

There was plenty to admire from Newark in the second half as the game was played out with two different styles. Although they had shown an ability to spin the ball, Grimsby increasingly began to rely on one out ball carriers to make hard yards. Newark , by contrast, were happy to run from their own 22 with Charles launching the counter attacks. Winger Rhys Overland repeatedly broke through tackles as the visitors worked their way upfield.

While it was the quick hands of the backs that caught the eye, it was the forwards that provided time and space to launch the attacks. Our scrum, which had been under some pressure at times in the first half,began to push back the heavier Grimsby forwards and Nathan Leeson - beginning his first senior season at hooker - was unerringly accurate at the lineout. Matt Christian's short cameo appearance also gave us some go forward around the breakdown and in open play.

Grimsby however proved dangerous right to the end and only a last ditch tackle from Drabble saved an almost certain try following a breakout.

With the match still on a knife edge the referee blew up four minutes early. In truth either side could have gone on to win but my money would have been on the younger, faster Newark team.

It was no mean feat to travel all that way with a predominately young side and return with two points after playing a 1st XV in front of an enthusiastic home ground. Next week another big test awaits in the form of old first team rivals, Nottingham Moderns.

A note of praise for Grimsby. Geography has always been against them insofar as they are the most Northern tip of the NLD structure. Every other weekend means a long away trip - by my calculations they have to travel 1,700 miles a season. Yet they continue to run two competitive sides and their clubhouse felt welcoming and friendly. They had a good crowd boisterously supporting their side but from where I was standing I didn't hear any abuse or gloating. It was a most enjoyable visit.

Tries : Billy Charles (2) Scott Edmed
Conversions: Jack Drabble (3)

**Hunter S Thompson, by the way. Check him out.