Newark march on at Matlock
Newark Rugby Club start a tough end to 2008 tomorrow when Leighton Buzzard visit Kelham Road in the first of three successive Midlands Two East games which could see the team disputing team spot at Christmas.
A testing 19-12 win at Matlock on Saturday got Newark back to winning ways following the disappointment of losing in the National Trophy the previous week to Preston Grasshoppers.
The latest league win keeps Newark in fourth place, only two points off leaders Dunstablians.
Home games against Leighton Buzzard tomorrow (2.15pm) and second-placed Ampthill next week are followed by a visit to Syston on December 20.
Matt Brewer proved to be a key figure at Matlock, with the number eight scoring one try and helping centre Chris Tate and wing Alex Moore score the other two. Scrum-half Danny Coen supplied two conversions.
Newark set themselves up for a win through an excellent start that produced a 12-0 lead. Moore was the first scorer, touching down after some good passing between himself and Brewer.
Brewer then made the second try when he burst clear and could have scored himself, but opted to give the ball to centre Tate to celebrate his first score for the 1st XV since joining the club from Hinckley.
Matlock responded quickly after Newark’s second try. They proved an able pack and engineered a push-over try shortly before the interval that was converted to make the scoreline 12-7 at the break.
The half-time oranges were cut short because of the failing light and a quick turn-around was ordered. Matlock carried on where they had finished and scored a second try soon after the re-start to level the contest at 12-12.
That score set up a forward battle in the poor conditions and Newark proved marginally the stronger in the final 30 minutes. Brewer provided the crucial score which Coen converted from the touchline.
Bob Fowkes, Newark’s head coach, said he was delighted at the win. He was especially pleased because a rejigged team had included a new-look back row in Jon Webster and Will Naylor alongside Brewer.
Mark Staines and Liam Mather also did well at lock, covering for David Rhodes who had a shoulder injury. David Fagan started at fly-half in the absence of Michael Dobson and there was a recall for the ever dependable Richard Byrom in the full-back spot.
Newark 2nds 67 - Matlock 2nds 0
Russ Westcott had an afternoon to remember at Kelham Road, with the winger running in six tries — three in each half — to help Newark to an outstanding win by 12 tries to nil.
The only complaint from captain Alex Jackson was that the wing touched down too often in the corners thus making the conversion attempts difficult, restricting Mark Byrom and Matt Clark to one conversion each.
Westcott is one of the Newark Colts players making their way in the senior squads alongside David Fagan, James Dyer, Jamie Sizer and Fred Tatham.
Dyer also contributed a try alongside two from captain Jackson and one each from Sam Sibilksi, David Walters and Chris Blood.
Matlock 3rds 10 - Newark 3rds 46
Some crisp handling and fine individual efforts helped Newark 3rds record a good win at Matlock.
Bryan Loftus and Steve Hodge contributed two tries each and there was one apiece from Mark Gill, Tom Lee, Toby Edlin and Aaron Gibson. Dan Harrison kicked three conversions.
Tupton 2nds 14 - Newark 4ths 0
A try either side of half-time put paid to Newark 4ths’ chances of continuing a winning run of two games.
Newark U-17s 22 - Deepings 12
The backs provided the points for Newark under-17s, with wings Alistair Waring and Josh Clack joined in the try-scoring by fly-half Marcus Cambridge and centre Jo Richards.
Newark Under-12s v Southwell W20-0 (tries — Tom Crosby 2, Ben Usher, James Evans). v West Bridgford L5-10 (try — Max Chappell). v Ashfield W25-10 (tries — Toby Duggan 2, Chappell, Evans, Nick Barton).
Newark Under-11s v Keyworth W15-0 (tries — James Newman, Ryan Wakefield, Jack Warren). v Paviors W10-5 (tries — Newman, Jordan Slack). v Nottingham B D0-0. v Notttingham C W35-0 (tries — Connor Slack 2, George Woodman, Henry Woodman, Spencer Caldwell, Warren, Josh Duggan).
Newark Under-8s v West Bridgford W80-70 (tries — Ronan Matts 2, Maddie Horrocks 2, James Brodgen 2, Toby Taylor 2, James Harding 2, Edward Buck 2, Tom Evans 2, Ben Mathias 2).
Meden Vale 11 - Ollerton 18
This was a good game, even though Vale requested uncontested scrums because they didn’t have a recognised front row, but Ollerton’s big forwards still dominated, especially their driving maul which resulted in tries from Scott Gretton, Eric Cranmer and Martin Burton, with Gretton adding a drop goal.
Southwell 1st XV enjoyed their first home win of the season, largely inspired by a heroic performance from winger David Milner, as they won 25-5 against Amber Valley at Park Lane.
In foggy conditions, the Redmen started the brighter with a maul near the visitors’ line allowing skipper Nick Dunsworth to break from the back to score the opener, and tries followed from Ryan Burbidge and Paul Rich, with Rich adding two conversions and two penalties.
Southwell 2nds 0 - Derby Vets 24
Southwell 2nds and 3rds were forced to combine squads as trips to Twickenham and illness robbed skipper Nigel McHale of 11 of the previous week’s side and this disjointed feel gave them little confidence against a well-organised and drilled Derby Veterans side.
The Reapers had a mixture of experience and youth in their line-up, but the general tiredness of several of the team took its toll as the Reapers were undone on several occasions by some excellent lines of running from the Derby side.
Grimsby 0 - Southwell U-17s 56
The Anstey Army wended their merry way to the cold shores of Grimsby and extended their unbeaten run to 13 in all matches and strengthened their position in their league.
Coach Charlie Anstey was hit by late arrivals and poor map- reading skills, but the junior Redmen took it in their stride and responded with tries from Drew Shearwood, Will Anstey, Dan Benson, Josh Hart, Jake Brown, Joe McHale, Alex Berry, Ollie Stanford, Jack Skill and Henry Perks as the impressive young side passed the 50-point barrier for the third time in as many games. Sam Hedley was kicked three conversions.
Southwell Under-8s v Matlock W45-34 (tries — Edward Johnston 3, Harry Shayler 2, Alex Pearson 2, Alasdair Mullen 2). v Matlock W30-25 (tries — George Shelvey 2, Harry Shayler, Edward Johnston, Tom Dale, Milo Sawula).
