Colts scratch a result away to Spalding

Newark Colts travelled to what feels like the furthest reaches of Lincolnshire for their first Friday night away match under the floodlights, travelling with a depleted side due to injuries and limited availability.

Spalding kicked off and the game settled quickly with errors and opportunities for both sides, with Spalding starting the stronger, unfortunately due to injuries and availability of front row specialists’, scrums were uncontested.

Spalding scored first from a 5m uncontested scrum on the Newark line, with their backs spotting a gap in the normally resolute Newark defence 5-0.

Newark went immediately on the offensive to level the score, a neat chip kick over the Spalding line forced an error and a Newark scrum on Spalding 5, picked by No 8 Luke F, who stormed in for the equalising try 5-5.

Newark forwards were starting to impose on the ruck, with a weaving run by Nate beating 3 players before offloading to Luke F to beat 2 more to finish off one of the night’s best moves. 5 -10

As the half neared its end it was all Spalding as they desperately tried to level the score before half time, without avail.

Following some stern half time discussions, Newark kicked off the second half, with the aim of trying to impose their game plan on the Spalding team, Spalding however had different ideas and plans of their own, with only try saving tackles from Ben, rucks and rips by the forwards keeping Spalding from levelling.

After the initial storm from Spalding, it was all Newark as they pressed, only a combination of great defence by Spalding, handling errors and poor decision making keeping them from additional scores.

A Newark Scrum on the Spalding 5, eventually broke the second half deadlock, this was quickly distributed to the backs and taken in by Henry A, tackled short of the line, with the Newark pack in hot pursuit and rucking over, Newark pressed but remained short, leaving Henry the chance to finish the move, and try, conversion Oscar, 5 -17

Spalding pressure in the last minutes resulted in numerous penalties on the Newark 5m and despite some great defending, it was breached by some individual skill from Spalding that rewarded them with the final score of the game. 10 -17.

Newark were relieved to retain their unbeaten start to the season in what was a scrappy game and one where the uncontested scrums sanitised the game.

Many thanks to our Spalding hosts and look forward to welcoming them to Kelham Road later in the season.

Written; Will Syme-Nicholson
Checked; Alan Staines