There were signs that Newark could play better

REPORT WRITTEN BY BOB WALKER

Newark 2nd XV v ASHBOURNE 1st XV

Counties 2 Midlands East (North)

Newark 2nd XV 19 Ashbourne 1st XV 22

In forty plus years of journalism I've never once used the cliche "a game of two halves."

But what I would say, however, is that the first 40 minutes of this contest were markedly different from the second 40 minutes.

Ashbourne were 12 points up after ten minutes and with Newark players falling off tackles, even the most die hard supporter must have feared a hammering was on the cards. The gap could have been even wider but full back Robbie Hunter-Shaw made a crucial last ditch tackle and fielded a number of well-placed high kicks. In fact he didn't spill a single kick all game.

It is to our credit that, after a tough half time talk from coach Richard Byrom, we turned things around and threatened to pull off the most unlikely of victories as the seconds ticked away.

Indeed Ashbourne were clearly relieved to simply boot the ball off the park on full time as Newark worked hard to breach their line.

And while it's no great consolation to know that we won the second half by three tries to one, that losing bonus point could prove crucial at the end of the season.

Most of this Ashbourne side apparently participate in the town's anarchic - some might say psychopathic - Shrovetide football game. And it shows.

They began like a juggernaut, using physical runners to break through despairing, weak tackles before gaining further ground through slick, speedy passing. Once again we made a tough task even more difficult by conceding penalties and making simple errors after working hard to gain possession.

There were signs that Newark could play better - back rower Josh Stamp in particular constantly asked questions of the Ashbourne defence and centre Ed Armstrong had a clear try-scoring opportunity denied when he was pulled back while chasing a kick - an offence missed by the referee.

But Ashbourne stretched their lead to 17-0 by half time when their winger evaded tackles deep in his own 22 and launched a counter attack which ended with a try under our posts.

The second half didn't begin auspiciously with Newark being marched back ten yards for back chat but dogged defence from the resulting line out ended with an Ashbourne player being held up over the line.

Second row Ben Jackson - a player who seems to get better with every game - then forced his way over after a smart inside pass from fly half Rhys Overland and winger Jack Drabble added the conversion to put Newark back in contention. Annoyingly, Ashbourne hit straight back - scoring off first phase from a lineout in our 22.

To make matters worse, hooker Nathan Leeson was forced to leave the pitch with a nasty cut to the head after making a brave tackle. He required stitches in hospital.

But Newark pressure began to tell and when Ashbourne fluffed an attempted clearance kick from behind their try line, Drabble leapt high to claim the ball and the try.

Almost immediately Ashbourne found themselves back in our 22 but excellent work from Armstrong and Drabble and a clearance kick from Overland nullified the threat.

A Newark maul ended with a try for veteran Ian Tomlinson and a beautifully struck conversion from Drabble narrowed the gap to just three points. But with Newark threatening to snatch victory, a couple of debatable penalties in the closing exchanges effectively ended our hopes of a memorable comeback victory.

Once again , it shouldn't be forgotten that our 2nds were up against a proper 1st XV. Ashbourne is a club which puts out three sides and they currently lie second in our league.

Yes, they were without doubt the better side in the first half. And if their kicker had been on target this would have been a much more comfortable victory for them.

But we should take heart from the fact that we more than matched them in the second half and showed that when we perform to our best, we deserve to be in this league.

Tries: Ben Jackson, Jack Drabble , Ian Tomlinson
Conversions: Drabble (2)