Newark Rugby Club
Newark’s unbeaten three-match start to the league season came to an abrupt halt at Lincoln on Saturday.
The defeat pushes Newark into third place, three points behind Melbourne, who beat Long Eaton 18-12, and four behind leaders Market Rasen, 29-3 winners over Southwell.
Injuries and availability hindered Newark’s selection for this trip. Overall, there were four changes to the starting team who beat Ilkeston.
And the line-up included three league debutants in fly half Sam Booth, wing Guillaume Pauvert and substitute forward Logan Watt.
The weather had also become more seasonal with rain and a strong wind blowing straight down the park.
Newark had first use of the wind but found it difficult to get any momentum going against a strong running and vocal Lincoln pack.
After a fairly scrappy first 10 minutes Lincoln took the lead with a penalty. This was followed quickly with a try from their impressive fly half following a line out close to the Newark line. He converted his own try for a 10-0 lead.
There followed a period of attrition with Newark trying to force their way into the game.
Booth, who formed a new halfback partnership alongside Findlay Tweedie, nudged the ball into the Lincoln 22.
Lincoln managed to clear their lines but only found full back Robbie Hunter-Shaw who put a high ball up on the Lincoln 22. He followed up and made the tackle and Lincoln conceded a penalty which Booth converted.
Newark couldn’t build on this as Lincoln came back quickly with another try to make it 12-3. A nasty ankle injury saw Jaymie Duncan have to leave the field to be replaced by Watt.
Lincoln continued with their hard running forwards and were rewarded with a converted try before half-time to have a lead of 19-3.
The second half followed the same pattern with Newark finding it difficult to secure any front foot ball.
Lewis Himsworth returning from injury came on at hooker for Gareth Bartsch and made an immediate impact when he went over for a try following a driving line out.
Newark couldn’t build on this momentum and Lincoln came back with 2 more converted tries and 2 penalties to give a final score of 39-8.
Overall, it was a disappointing afternoon for Newark and somewhat of a reality check from the impressive start to this campaign.
It does highlight the strength of the League and the small margins between most of the teams.
Newark move onto the RFU Intermediate Cup next Saturday (Oct 13) in a second-round tie at Coalville, kick off 3pm.
Team v Lincoln: Hunter-Shaw; Waqalevu, Britten (capt), Birch, Pauvert; Booth, Tweedie; Coulam, Bartsch, Hempstead, Ellison, Matthysz, Duncan, Brogden, Garland.
Subs: Himsworth, Watt, O’Leary.
