Newark Rugby Club 1sts avenge earlier loss to Nuneaton Old Edwardians

Revenge was in the air as Newark Rugby 1sts beat Nuneaton Old Edwardians 24-3, after losing to them earlier in the season.

The win saw Newark bounce back from a home defeat to Moseley Oak in their last match.

Newark also picked up a try bonus point for scoring four tries through forwards Sam Dobson and Jed Chapple and one each for backs Will Britten and Alex Scott.

The home team started the stronger in chilly weather conditions as they opened the scoring with a penalty right in front of the posts.

The successful penalty happened nearly 20 minutes into the game as Newark struggled to find their feet initially due to slippery conditions.

Forward Sam Dobson scored after 30 minutes thanks to a dominant scrum from the Newark pack.

This put the visitors ahead and they increased their lead just before half-time as captain Will Britten capitalised on a good line-out and placed the ball in the corner for Newark.

Newark came out after the break determined to increase the lead and Chapple crossed over thanks to some fancy play from Alex Scott.

Scott then converted the try before Newark’s scrum stepped up, becoming increasingly dominant as the game wore on.

The scrum drove possession forward and good hands from the backs allowed Scott to stroll over after 60 minutes into the game.

The try was scored near the post, which allowed Scott to convert easily, putting the score up to 24-3.

Newark tried hard in the last 20 minutes to add to the total but were frustrated by Nuneaton who kept competing until the final whistle.

The win lifted Newark two places in the league, putting the team and supporters in good spirits for Saturday’s sell-out Christmas lunch before the match against Oadby Wyggestonians at home (kick-off 2.15pm).

It was a good weekend for the Kelham Road club overall, as the Colts won at Moderns, and the 2nds and 3rds also secured victories.

The 2nds defeated Meden Vale, 16-3, and the 3rds beat Southwell 3rds 36-7.

There was a convincing victory for Bingham as they defeated Kesteven 38-7.

Bingham opened the scoring on five minutes through a Tommy Besson try.

Besson collected a delicate chip over into space off the Bingham attack before putting the ball over the line. The try was converted by Tom Packer.

Another Bingham attacking play saw Packer cutting back and scoring before missing the conversion.

Then, Kesteven, after a sustained period of possession looking after the ball created an extra man down the left to set up a successful try and conversion.

Two early second-half tries swung the game decisively to Bingham with Hamish Robinson scoring and Besson getting his second. Packer added a conversion to put Bingham further ahead.

Bingham controlled the game minimising opportunities presented to Kesteven who showed an eagerness to get the ball wide and use their backs.

Jonathan Thomas extend-ed the lead on 65 minutes before Jack Barnard got the fourth try of the half, after taking a short pass and going through a gap in the defence to scoring under the posts. Packer added both conversions as Bingham bought it home strongly for a dominant win.

It wasn’t the result that the Southwell 1st XV were hoping for as they lost 35-10 against Lincoln.

Andy Powell’s men came back from being down 28-0 at half-time, but it wasn’t enough.

The Southwell 2nds fared better as they defeated North Hykeham 27-7 in a good performance.