Narrow loss for Newark Rugby Club as they host Belgrave at home in the Midlands Division Regional Two North League
NEWARK Rugby Club continued their season in the Midlands Division Regional Two North League with a narrow two-point defeat to Belgrave at home.
The 15-13 scoreline was not the start to 2023 that the home side wanted however a late winning try gave the Leicester team bragging rights for the season after also winning earlier in the campaign.
Newark led 13-10 into the final stages of the match, never quite managing to put the game beyond contention as they missed a few vital chances which kept Belgrave in the match.
Carson Hepi put the home side up early before Alex Scott increased the lead by way of a penalty.
In the final stages of the first-half, Newark were unable to capitalise on opportunities to put more points on the board and they went into the break up by eight.
Belgrave proved to be dangerous as having withstood the late first-half pressure, they started the second-half by grabbing an early converted try.
These points kept the visitors in the game and showed Newark that the match was far from over.
Newark crossed again in the game as Scott crossed over the line around the hour mark thanks to play from scrum-half James Tarbatt and captain Will Britten.
At 13-7, Newark continued on the attack but were pulled up for a forward pass and missed out from an attacking scrum.
Belgrave set up a tense finish by kicking a penalty and struck in the final stages after Newark had lock Jaymie Duncan sin-binned.
The winning try, like Newarkâs opening score, came from a chip ahead before the ball was placed in the corner for the winning try.
It was a frustrating result for Newark who narrowly missed out on the victory, it was the fifth occasion the side has lost by seven or fewer points.
However, as Newark's first season in the league since gaining promotion, the silver lining is the club has shown to be more than competitive in their new competition.
Newark will be hoping to readapt to their confident, attacking style of play as they head to third-placed Leek on Saturday, (kick-off 2.15pm).
