An energetic pack proved the difference
Notts, Lincs & Derbys Shield Final
Newark 29 Casuals 19
Newark needed a late try from Matt Cox to secure success in this cup final at Kelham Road.
It was a thoroughly deserved win even if Casuals made Newark sweat in the final minutes when their fightback brought the scores to 22-19.
However, Cox settled the contest by sprinting clear from halfway to score Newark’s fourth try. He added the conversion from in front of the posts to complete a second triumph in the Notts, Lincs & Derbys Shield competition following on from 2014.
Newark had an energetic pack to thank for the win especially up front where the home team dominated. The best play came in the first half which ended in a 17-5 lead on a hard pitch in windy conditions.
Cox put Newark ahead early on through a penalty goal but two more difficult attempts dropped short before prop Mason Coulam finished off for the first try following a good period of pressure.
The front-row union also collected the second when Jordan Hempstead burrowed over for his first 1st XV try in a competitive match. Cox added the conversion for a 17-0 Newark lead.
Newark undid some of the good work by allowing Casuals back into the match and a try from the visitors just before the interval was a warning that the match was not won.
The second half brought more Newark pressure and further chances were wasted.
However, a quick break from the versatile Max Spurr gave Findlay Tweedie the chance to pull off a neat pick up before finishing off.
That try gave Newark a clear lead at 22-5 but Casuals played some good rugby in the next 10 minutes to pull back two tries in an increasingly tense finish.
Newark finally sealed the match in the last minutes when Cox broke from halfway to out run the Casuals defence for a try under the posts. He converted triggering celebrations of a deserved triumph for a squad who had to win ties at Spalding and Stamford en-route to the final.
The win completes Newark’s first team season leaving just one senior match to play on Wednesday (May 8) when the 3rd team play Hykeham in the annual memorial match for Tom Coates who played for both teams.
Kick off 7.30pm – all welcome. Bar open.
Newark team: Hunter-Shaw; Taylor, Spurr, Britten, Overland; Cox, Tweedie; Hempstead, Chapple, Coulam, Williams, Ellison, Brogden, Seage, Garland.
Subs: Wells, Tate, Matthysz, Shine, Moore, Booth, Barnsdale.
Tries: Coulam, Hempstead, Tweedie, Cox.
Conversions: Cox (3).
Penalty goal: Cox.
