A great start to the Colts season - 2 from 2

Thankfully Derby accepted a late invitation following a fixture cancellation, with Newark doing It’s best to mimic the Rugby World Cup playing conditions in the south of France, we welcomed Derby to Kelham Road for our first home games of the season, on the magnificent pitch 2, which has been lovingly tended over the summer by our fantastic groundsman David Rhodes.

Derby advised they were bringing a young squad of U17’s and U16’s, so we took the opportunity to push 5 of our U18’s players into their first senior games supporting the 2nd and 3rd – Well done to Finn Bennett, Paddy Mack, Callum Rush, Henry Buck and Ethan Herbert on their Senior Debuts.

In the sweltering heat, Newark kicked off and returned by derby, we caught and raced straight back through their backs, only a handling error preventing points. From the resulting Derby scrum, which was well held by the young Newark side, leading to a break by the Derby no8, a great tackle by Noah resulted in a turnover, which was duly picked up by Freddie from halfway, who ran in the try, conversion Oscar 7-0

The game settled with lineouts for both sides, Derby scrum on their 22, Newark won against the head, picked by Noah who tore down the blindside for the try, conversion Oscar 14-0

Derby started to press as they sensed the game slipping away in the heat, with only the stalwart Newark defence preventing points, leading to a knock on and Newark scrum picked again by No8 Noah, offloaded to Freddie who ran in from Halfway for his brace. 19-0

All credit to Derby who continued to play to get on terms and they were rewarded with a well worked try 19 – 5

With halftime looming a turnover by Luke F from the restart caught Derby unaware, the resulting penalty was taken quickly, and sent out to Nate, who finished well for his first Colts try 24-5 on the stroke of halftime.

From the off Deby pressed with a desperate Newark clearance kick, kicked straight back into the waiting arms of Noah, who sped back through the defence for his brace and conversion Oscar, 31-5

Newark lineout on the Derby 5m line and the first executed lineout of the season, caught by Nate and the maul formed and pushed from the 5 yard for Hayden’s first Colts try, conversion Oscar 38-5

The unseasonably warm weather was now starting to tell and again the hard preseason training paid dividends with Newark finishing the strongest, with Freddies third and 2 more conversions by Oscar.50 -5

Many thanks to Derby Colts who played well to the last whistle, despite the excessive heat.

Another home match next Sat (16th Sept – 1.30pm KO) to look forward to v a strong Kettering squad making the trip up from North Northamptonshire before we play Syston in the first round of the Colts National cup at Home on Sunday 24th Sept.

Written; Will Syme-Nicholson
Approved; Alan Staines