Newark Rugby Club
Newark Rugby Club recorded another notable victory over a higher-placed team in a tight match at Ilkeston on Saturday to make it five league victories in succession. We are indebted to the Kelham Road club for the following report and photo.
First-half tries from scrum-half Alex O’Dell and centre Aloesi Waqalevu gave Newark a lead which Ilkeston failed to overturn.
Both tries were converted by Matt Cox who added a penalty in the second half to keep Newark ahead in an excellent contest between two well-matched teams.
This win continues Newark’s improved form since December and adds to a sequence of five wins on the bounce in league games including success against promotion-chasing Coalville and Dronfield.
It was another all-round team performance led by captain Will Britten at centre and coach Adam Corcoran who stepped into pack duties at late notice.
Newark could have led by more than 14-0 at half-time but one or two chances were missed in playing down the Ilkeston slope.
O’Dell sped clear after 25 minutes by latching onto a break by back-rower Jonathan Webster who snaffled up a loose ball off an Ilkeston clearing kick.
Cox converted and added the extras when Newark struck for their second, Waqalevu scoring a try to remember by racing clear from his own half after good work by Cox.
At 14-0 up, Newark followers feared the lead might not be enough as Ilkeston had the slope and conditions in the second half.
And for the opening 10 minutes those fears increased as Ilkeston scored two tries but only converted the first.
That miss kept Newark ahead at 14-12 and Cox’s penalty increased the lead in a tense final 20 minutes where Britten’s team defended very well and also enjoyed good periods of possession which might have brought another try.
Newark’s best chance came on the right when substitute Sam Dobson broke clear but could not link up to wing Rhys Overland.
Overall, Newark deserved success for their first-half play and dogged resistance in the second half.
Newark return to Kelham Road next Saturday to host Lincoln in a league match, kick off 2.15pm.
All welcome, admission free, programme £2, bar open.
Newark v Ilkeston: Hunter-Shaw; Overland, Britten (capt), Waqalevu, Charles; Cox, O’Dell; Coulam, Chapple, Hempstead, Ellison, Woodman, Corcoran, Duncan, Webster.
Subs: Appleton, Tomlinson, Dobson.
Tries: O’Dell, Waqalevu.
Conversions: Cox (2).
Penalty goal: Cox.