Every so often there comes a game where it's hard to single out individuals, such is the nature of the team performance.
This was one of them.

There were a number of pleasing aspects to this resounding victory against our local rivals. There were several stand out individual performances allied to some great team tries, amounting to one of the 2nd's best performances in a long while.

The victory was all the more satisfying as it came against a stubborn Southwell team that actually led for a while and was only a point behind at the break.

Newark's Colts have made invaluable contributions to the Seconds in recent times. Without them we would have struggled. But for once, not a single member of the current Colts team was on the pitch.

The forwards were once again dominant in the set piece - often driving the opposition eight backwards and disrupting their line out. Our own lineout was solid with Josh Codd dominant. Credit should also go to hookers Sam Cobb and Tommo for the accurate throws in blustery conditions.

The back row of James O'Leary, Ethan Mason and the returning Sean Denning carried hard, often breaking the gain line. In this they were assisted by prop Ben Wells who several times took out two or three players as he ground out some hard yards. The ever consistent Finn Bennett in the second row also made his presence felt.

A trademark Denning break through the middle led to our first try. Centre Ed Armstrong took the ball on and full back Johnny Marshall used his pace to touch down in the corner.

However, the Redmen struck back immediately from the re-start , pouncing on a loose ball moving it left and right before finding a gap for a converted try. A tapped penalty in our 22 led to their second shortly afterwards.

Then Robbie Hunter-Shaw broke through before passing to Bennett who was tackled just short of the line. However he got the ball away to Codd who crashed through two tacklers for Newark's second.

It was the first of many breaks by the powerful Hunter-Shaw who broke tackles and made ground throughout the game. He formed an effective centre partnership with Armstrong who, as usual, didn't miss a tackle.

The half ended with a deserved try for number eight Mason - diving in at the corner after some great handling and support play from too many players to mention.

With the wind behind them, Newark dominated territory in the second half. Hunter-Shaw crossed to earn the try bonus point and Marshall converted. A surging run from Codd ended in a try for Bennett and constant pressure in the scrum led to the first of two tries from Will Hosking.

Another forward's try came from prop Charlie Musson - his first for the club - before Denning went under the posts for a well earned try. As usual, his destructive ball carrying had caused problems for Southwell all day.

To their credit, the Redmen didn't throw in the towel and a penalty in their own half enabled them to fight their way up the field for their third try.

Newark showed a pleasing willingness to run from anywhere but also had the sense to kick long when required. Scrum half Will Staniforth was unlucky not to score after a chip and chase. He deserved a try after a tidy performance which allowed fly half Rhys Overland to get the backline moving fluently.

It's early days but if we can keep most of this team together, the season could turn out to be a highly entertaining one.

Tries: Johnny Marshall, Josh Codd, Ethan Mason, Robbie Hunter-Shaw, Finn Bennett, Sean Denning, Charlie Musson, Will Hosking (2)
Conversions: Johnny Marshall (3)