Newark u16 vs Market Harborough u16

After a magnificent tour to France, Newark Under 16s travelled to Market Harborough with a significantly depleted, yet experienced squad of 17, after numerous injuries took their toll.

Newark kicked off and immediately applied the pressure to a sleepy Market Harborough eventually winning an attacking line out on the Harborough 22 which was well taken by George W, who immediately set up the rolling maul, allowing Nate C to peel off for the opening try, conversion Oscar M 0-7.

The intensity continued with the Newark pack dominating the first scrum, (as they would for all the match), the Harborough kick for touch led to another attacking lineout and the driving maul was well held by Harborough, but from the numerous attacking phases that ensued, the ball eventually found Archie W on the 5m line who powered through for his well-earned first Try of the season, conversion Oscar M 0 - 14.

Newark continuing to put pressure on the Harborough line and their clearance kick found the waiting arms of Elliott P who immediately ran it back before distributing it down the line finding Harry W who saw off the remaining 2 defenders for the try and conversion Oscar M and take the score to 0–21.

Despite the one-sided play Newark found themselves down to 14 after some repeat off-side offending, nevertheless the team dug deep and were defending hard as Harborough tried to get onto the scoreboard. A Harborough attacking lineout on the Newark 5m line was well taken and a maul formed but was turned over by the dominant Newark forwards, distributed to Smorgie W who was eventually caught, but the support was there in abundance, eventually leading to Luke F forcing his way through for the final points of the half and stretch Newarks lead to 0–26.

The second half started with a reinvigorated Harborough team determined to score and bring themselves back into the match. An early attacking lineout led to numerous phases which eventually breached the Newark defences and try and conversion 7–26.

The hosts continued to apply pressure, but eventually Newark got the turnover turnover with the ball eventually finding Smorgie W who finished off through the final defenders to score the try 7-31.

Christmas came early for Harborough as a mistake by Newark allowed the hosts to score a second try 12-31.

With the clock ticking down and many tired legs and bodies on the Newark after many attacking phases the final try came for Harborough, but with the game all but settled in the 1st half it was all too late and Newark run out the winners 17–31.

Written By Will Nicholson
Checked by David Hayle