Broken leg ends season for captain
Newark Rugby Clubs successful year ended in disappointment as they face the rest of the season without captain Ed Collishaw after the centre broke his leg in the 15-0 defeat in Midlands Two East at Syston on Saturday.
Collishaw was injured in a tackle in a second half incident that led to Syston scoring their final try.
The centre was taken to hospital in Leicester after the match and underwent surgery on Sunday to repair the break.
Collishaw, who took over the captaincy from Danny Coen at the start of the season, has formed a strong midfield partnership alongside Chris Tate this season.
His injury is the second significant one, following the fractured thumb suffered by flanker Lewis Cove last month.
The defeat at Syston was Newark’s second successive reverse following the loss at home to leaders Ampthill the previous week.
They have now slipped to fifth place, five points behind the Bedfordshire team.
Newark were on the back foot from the start as Syston started in determined fashion to get revenge for the 17-10 loss they suffered at Kelham Road in November.
Syston led 10-0 at half-time thanks to an early penalty goal, a try and conversion. The second touchdown came in an attack when Collishaw was injured attempting to make a tackle.
Newark have a two-week break from league action, and they resume on January 10 when Wellingborough visit Kelham Road, kick off 2.15pm.
Newark 4th XV beat Ripley Rhinos 29-0 with tries from Paddy Robinson, Toby Edlin, Jason Barnsdale, Will Bunn, and a penalty try, with Rhys Overland kicking two conversions.
A Southwell A team went down to a narrow 12-11 defeat at home to Mellish 2nds, with the Redmen’s side featuring some newer faces.
The game will be remembered most for the loss of top scorer and fly-half Paul Rich. A high tackle resulted in Rich having to step back and the pressure resulted in him tearing the main tendon in his knee.
A try from Nick Dunsworth and penalties from Paul Smith and Sam Fenton proved to be meagre consolation.
A Southwell B team won 37-3 at Mellish 3rds with a mixture of old and young players, and the combination proved to be an effective one with a fine display by the side.
Unfortunately the debut of under-17 skipper Dan Benson was cut short when his eye was split by a stray elbow, but his fellow under-17 players Alex Smith, Rich Hayes and Luke Jones worked hard all match and made strong contributions.
The tries came from Gary Dixon, Luke Jones, Ed Hammond, Duncan Roberts and Joe McHale, while Hammond added three conversions and two penalties.
