Dronfield 52 Newark 24: Regional Two North Midlands match report

Newark earned a deserved bonus point from a tough trip to second-placed Dronfield on Saturday despite suffering a 52-24 Regional Two North Midlands defeat.

Two tries from wing Henry Allen plus one each from lock Jaymie Duncan and full-back Alex Scott made sure Newark played a full part in an entertaining match.

Newark were always playing catch-up from the moment Dronfield dashed to an opening try in the first minute.

Despite losing by eight tries to four, it still turned out to be a positive afternoon in which the speedy work of the backs and some non-stop forward toil were the high points.

The return of Duncan, in his first match since last April, gave the pack some added experience while the skilful work outside made Dronfield work for their win.

When Dronfield shot away for that opening try the visiting supporters feared for a one-way afternoon. However, Allen and Scott quickly got Newark back into the match when the wing smartly finished off on the right flank going up the Dronfield slope.

The home team, though, knew how to play their small pitch and dominated the next 30 minutes to build a 26-5 lead by scoring three further tries.

Newark responded just before the break when Scott scored to reward some excellent pressure which gave encouragement for the second half.

And the way Newark started after the interval they looked set to cut the deficit further but, like the first half, a mistake proved costly and Dronfield took full advantage helped by their wing producing a nifty sidestep and swerve along the way.

A break by Matt Walton helped put Duncan over near the posts for Newark’s third try and the bonus-point fourth try was conjured by Allen who wriggled clear of the cover defence for his second.

In between, Dronfield had collected a sixth and two more in the closing stages nudged up the scoreline a tad unfairly for the hard-working Newarkers who had stuck to their task.

Newark 1sts and 2nds have no fixtures this coming weekend but resume league action on Saturday, November 30 when the 1sts host Walsall at Kelham Road (kick-off 2.15pm) and the 2nds go to Keyworth.

Newark 2nds lost 30-12 at home to Boston last Saturday but the colts returned winners from a trip to Lincoln. They won 28-10 helped by tries from Lenny Coen, Charlie North, Toby Waller and Griff James.