Cup runs end for our clubs
The national cup adventures of Newark and Southwell were brought to a halt on Saturday when both suffered defeats on their travels, writes.
Newark went down 38-0 at Bedford Athletic in the third round of the Intermediate Cup, while Southwell were in previously unchartered waters in the fourth round of the Senior Vase when they went down 33-11 at Lutterworth.
Newark meet Syston tomorrow (2.15pm) aiming to get revenge against the Leicestershire team who won the first match between the two 55-15.
Syston have now taken a four-point advantage at the top of Midlands Two East, but Newark coach Bob Fowkes believes his team are capable of a much better effort at Kelham Road.
Both teams warmed up for the clash by losing in Intermediate Cup last Saturday in vastly differing styles, with Syston losing narrowly 10-3 at home to Newport Salop.
“We never really got going at Bedford and cannot afford to do the same against Syston,” said Fowkes. “We let ourselves down in the first game at their place and I know the squad are determined to put on a better show for the home spectators.”
Newark expect their captain Danny Coen to be back on duty after missing out on the cup trip when his place at scrum-half went to the versatile Martin Brummitt, giving J.J. Connolly an opportunity on the wing.
The Bedford match also gave Fowkes a chance to give a revamped front row a chance by fielding Shaun May —against his old club — at loose head with Mickey Barker moving to tight head. The rested Ben Vidler appeared in the second half.
Newark defended well for periods in a first half where two tackles by Brummitt and centre Paul Cook stood out. However the Bedford team thrived on the pressure created and were 19-0 up by the break, having scored three tries and converted two them.
Newark needed an early try in the second half to get themselves back in the game but, despite a good spell, they were stopped short twice when lock Graham Chenoweth and hooker Ben Spokes were held up.
Bedford from then on took control and scored three more tries in the last quarter when Newark introduced Nick Galinski, the ex-Colt, on the wing for a further opportunity in the 1st XV, having played in a previous round of the national knockout competition.
Mansfield 2nds 10 - Newark 2nds 33
Two flankers turned centres in Gareth Bartsch and Jon Webster were among the prime players in Newark 2nd XV’s handsome win at Mansfield.
The duo provided the midfield ballast that allowed Newark to dominate the Notts Pennant match. Despite going 7-0 down, the visitors gradually took over, helped by two tries each from Matt Cove and Buddha Waqalevu.
Matt Clark, part of an effect partnership at half-back alongside Jasper Nissim, kicked three penalties and two conversions.
Meden Vale 14 - Newark 3rds 33
A good first half took Newark 3rds to another big win, this time at Meden Vale, as wing Neil Johnson and centre Bryan Loftus raced in early on to give the visitors the decisive edge.
Daley Edwards, the former Colt who has tasted first team action, showed he is coming back into form by collecting two tries while captain Dan Harrison grabbed a try and four conversions as the 3rds took their unbeaten run to 15 games.
Newark 4ths 13 - Univ of Derby 22
Tries by flanker Ben Coy and lock Sam Booth were the highlights of Newark 4ths’ defeat against Derby University in the Kelham Road mud, while Tom Lee added a penalty.
Newark Colts had hoped to return to action against Derby, but the game was postponed because the grounds of both clubs were ruled unfit.
The Colts will be action on Thursday in the annual match against the Vets at Kelham Road (7.30pm).
Lutterworth 33 - Southwell 11
The Redmen put on one of their best performances in some of the worst weather conditions possible but were unable to cope with the Midlands Three opposition.
Southwell had the beating of the home side in the first half and led 6-5 at the interval with two Paul Rich, but a second half try from Sam Fenton proved to be a mere consolation as Lutterworth’s substitutes made the difference against a side they had initially underestimated.
Southwell 2nds 10 - Paviors 15
Although the conditions did not exactly suit the Redmen, they played their hearts out against a much larger and more experienced pack whose knowledge and organisation proved the undoing for the home side as they couldn’t hope to play their normal running rugby game.
The lack of experience from the young side was obvious as mistakes crept in, and they were restricted to tries from flanker Rob Dennis and then Will Gardner after he had hustled his much larger opposite number into a mistake.
