A spirited fight back

Ashbourne 22 Newark 2nd XV 5

A long away trip to second-placed Ashbourne on the fringes of the Peak District ended with a spirited fight back as the game entered the final moments. Sadly, by then it was too late with Ashbourne having scored two tries in each half.

Nevertheless Newark's try from fly half Noah Catley capped a prolonged period of pressure in the Ashbourne 22 with the home side defending ferociously and Newark - for once - retaining possession through multiple phases.

It was a workmanlike performance from the Derbyshire side, consistently re-cycling the ball and often stealing it at the breakdown. Their powerful runners often got over the gainline though we tackled bravely throughout the match.

While you just have to hold up your hand and acknowledge that they deserved to win, it was rather galling to lose to the loudest team I have seen this year. And I was at the Kesteven game.

They were a bit more muted in the first half, though, when our pack often had their scrum reversing at speed. Our line out also functioned well with hooker Nathan Leeson again unerringly hitting his targets.

The opening exchanges also saw young flanker Noah Marshall making a number of eye catching tackles as well as winning a turnover on his own. Winger Scott Edmed ran hard as well as putting in a spiralling, long distance clearance kick. There was also an impressive senior debut for 18-year-old Oscar Wilby , a second row who also plays in the back row. He's been with Newark since his under 12 days.

Newark could have actually opened the scoring following a line out and perfectly formed maul which was heading at speed towards the Ashbourne line before the ball was fumbled.

But Ashbourne scored first after robbing the ball in a tackle and flinging it wide. Then a straightforward ship down the back line from a scrum led to their second and a half time score of 12-0.

We did have our moments. Skipper Ben Wells and flanker Jack Stickings had several big carries and Steff Taylor covered every blade of grass. But a nicely judged kick through and then a rolling maul created two more tries for promotion-chasing Ashbourne.

There was no denying the effort put in by the Newark boys but whereas Ashbourne generally retained possession in the tackle, we had a tendency to lose it.

But we never gave up and came back strongly in the dying minutes of the game. As well as Ashbourne defended, Catley's consolation try was just reward for an all out effort as the clock ticked down.

But the stark fact is that the defeat leaves us only just above the relegation zone and level on points with second from bottom Grimsby. The coming run of games at Kelham Road will prove crucial.

We need your support.

Tries: Noah Catley.