Finally, having missed the u13 and u14 competitions due to Covid-19, the big day had arrived: the u15 NLD Cup final to be contested between Newark and Sleaford at Kelham Road.

With this being the first proper chance of Youth silverware for one of teams, the excitement was palpable amongst the players, coaches and proud parents of these local rivals, who had turned up in abundance to support their respective teams.

For the vast majority of the players, many of whom had taken up rugby at 6 years old, this was likely to be the biggest game of their short lives thus far and with game being played on the Newark 1st team pitch in front of a near capacity crowd, the stage was set for a great game of rugby.

Newark kicked off and nearly caught their own ball but the resulting knock-on led to a first Sleaford scrum on their 22, which was well held by both sides. The Sleaford clearance kick was deftly caught by Toby H who charged forward to continue the attack, the recycled ball was eventually distributed into the backs finding Freddie B on the left wing who sped through for the opening try, 5-0 and with it Newark’s dream start.

With Newark’s pre-match nerves now settled, they began to play some fantastic, entertaining rugby and a well-supported testing kick forced another clearance from Sleaford, caught this time by Elliott P he unleashed his forwards on a series of rucks ending with a charging run by Luke F who powered over for the Try, conversion Oscar M, 12-0

From the restart a knock-on gave a Newark scrum, which was well taken by the Newark pack, quickly distributed out to the backs with great hands, supported by Henry A, and finished by Smorgie on the wing with a great turn of pace under the posts, conversion Oscar M, 19-0.

With Newark now in total control of the game and playing the best rugby of the season, the ball is turned over by Newark’s ferocious back row and quickly fed out to the wing where Will L motored through for the try, conversion Oscar M, 26-0.

A penalty in the Sleaford 22, was quickly taken by the effervescent Elliot P who was tailed Hayden M with the pack in full support, but with his power they weren’t needed(!), 31-0.

With every ruck being strongly contested by the Newark forwards the pressure was piling on Sleaford to commit numbers to contain the rampant Newark side, but eventually the dam burst again and from a counter ruck the quick distribution to the wings saw Freddie B trot in for his brace, 36-0.

From an attacking Sleaford line-out the ball was won well and distributed out wide to their Backs, but with the Newark pack in hot pursuit another turnover resulted and despite many well defended phases, Sam H found the gap for the try, 41-0.

With half-time looming, the restart was caught by Seth R, who charged forward in one of his trademark runs, a great tackle by Sleaford saw him brought down just short, but the offload found Freddie B who strolled in for his hat-trick which he converted himself to make it 48-0 at half-time and cap a totally dominant performance by Newark.

Sleaford returned to the pitch with their heads high, clearly determined to not give in without a fight, but there was to be no respite for them from the Newark onslaught, a great kick over the Sleaford players was caught on the bounce by Henry A, who ran in a well-deserved try, the conversion by Oscar M took the score to 55-0 and with that the match was technically over, (under NLD and RFU rules)

To their credit Sleaford, elected to continue the match, but understandably could not stem the Newark in full-flow, a lineout to Newark saw a training ground move through the backs to find Luke H on the left wing who sprinted in for a try in the corner, 60-0.

Now the pressure switched to the right wing, with the ball moved through precise hands this time to be well finished by Nate C, conversion Oscar M: 67-0.

Arguably the best move of the match was saved for the end: determined to protect their try line and Sleaford determined to score, Newark found themselves giving away numerous penalties in their own 22. When a Sleaford player was bundled into touch on the Newark 5m line, the resulting lineout offered Newark an opportunity to clear their lines.

A precise throw from Mateusz D, was well caught by Seth R who organised the forming of the maul by the Newark pack. After practicing this move for 4 weeks solid and being roared on by the crowd, they used their skill and power to drive the maul from their 5m line to over the halfway line! A break from Luke F down the blindside saw him offload to Freddie B, who, much to the appreciation of the crowd, powered down the wing to add to his try tally for the day: 72-0.

Despite the constant attacks and the scoreboard, it is great credit to the Sleaford players who never gave up and exerted pressure on the Newark try line as they attempted to get their scoreboard moving. Many phases of attacks by the Sleaford pack were repelled by the determined Newark defenders and eventually the ball was retrieved by a trademark rip by Spencer S, who then took it to safety where it was recycled again before finally being picked up by Seth R for the try, the conversion by Oscar M took the score to 79-0.

With that the final whistle went and Newark officially became the 2022 u15 NLD Cup winners.

In what was the best display of rugby this season by a very strong Newark u15’s side, every credit should given to the Sleaford players whose tenacity never waned for the entire 60 minutes and who continued to compete hard despite the overwhelming pressure place on them by the Newark side. They were a credit to their club, coaches, and supporters, with sportsmanship throughout the game.

It was a game and a season that none of the Newark players will ever forget, a season where their fitness, ability and achievement, both on and off the pitch, reached new heights, this performance in the final was a fitting end to it all.

For full 40 strong squad of players, the 2022/23 season can’t come soon enough!

Written by Will Syme
Checked by David Hayle