Newark 4th XV  29 v Retford 2^nd XV  15

Newark were the hosts to Retford’s second team on what was a bitterly cold day. Due to injuries and other absences Retford struggled to put together a full team, and with a makeshift front row and only a single substitute, things were not promising for the visitors.

At the start it was apparent that the home team bore little resemblance to the team that Retford defeated at home only a few weeks previous, but despite this Retford were determined to make an impact. However from the off it was obvious that the home pack would have the better of the game, with Retford’s front row (which contained two backs playing out of position) soon coming under immense pressure. It was soon clear that uncontested scrums would have to be the order of the day, and the game continued.

In the first half the Newark forward continually smashed through the game line, putting immense pressure on Retford’s defence. Nevertheless Retford were determined to prevent them from scoring, with tackle after tackle keeping the home team at bay. When the ball did occasionally come out to the Newark backs, the visitors more than matched them, driving them back with a series of crunching tackles. The home team soon realised that the only way they could penetrate Retford’s defensive line was through their forwards, and eventually the pressure told and Newark scored twice, both of which were converted.

Retford did not allow the score-line to have an impact on their game, and they continued to be resolute in defence. At the same time when Retford did have the ball and passed it out to the backs, they made some penetrating attacks against the home team. Towards the end of the half a concerted attacking effort led to a more than deserved penalty, which was duly converted by Steve Henderson.

A rousing half-time talk by captain John Herrick galvanised the visitors, and they began the second half with renewed vigour. Unfortunately a defensive error led to a very early try to Newark, but again Retford did not give up, and if anything began to play the better rugby. Newark would score once more during the half, but the Retford pressure was beginning to tell. Eventually a chip and chase by Richard Henderson led to a mistake from his opposing full-back; when the ball spun loose he threw himself onto it for Retford’s first try.

In the last few minutes of the game Retford threw everything against the Newark defence, and when the ball was kicked into space behind Newark’s game line James Warwick-Adkins showed his customary burst of speed to score again. With the last kick of the match Wayne Franks converted, giving Retford the honours for the second half.

All in all it was a great performance by the players in difficult conditions. Special mention to Shaun Turner and Mark Storey, the two Retford backs who played at hooker and prop respectively. Man of the match goes to Matt Brash in the forwards for his hard work in securing the ball, and to James Warwick-Adkins in the backs for his effective running. Donkey goes to Joe Anderson, whose unnecessary roughness in the warm-up game of touch rugby led to a thick lip for the captain.