Newark Rugby Club
Cup Final Sunday at Derby RFC
Newark were unhinged by a strong second-half performance from Derby in an excellent contest between two well-matched teams.
First-half tries from wing Toby Taylor and centre James Harding had given Newark a 10-5 lead at half-time.
However, Adam Doran’s squad – bidding for a fourth NLD age group title – had to defend for long periods after the interval and despite some excellent defence found the task too much.
Derby scored two more tries to lead 19-10 before a late try from prop James Stimson gave Newark brief hope of a fightback.
Newark played their best rugby midway through the first half when some excellent phase play, led by Harding and James Brogden, earned the opening score for Taylor.
Derby quickly replied only for Newark to regain the lead when Harding burst onto a loose ball, following a knock on straight from the kick off, to bustle his way to the line.
Newark failed to convert their two tries and Derby took control after the break helped by a sin binning.
Newark team: Edward Armstrong; Toby Taylor, James Harding, Danny Wilson, William Harding-Terry; Sam Booth, Noah Clegg; James Stimson, Daniel Godfrey, Jacob Pearson, Adam Overton, Will Mason, Nathan Gooney, Dan Walker (capt), James Brogden.
Subs: Joe Busby, Ryan Toogood, Oliver Atack, William Seage, Alex Morgan-Smith, Josh Barratt, Will Bero.
Coach Nick Law and some of the players appear on Tuesday nights sports show
