Newark Rugby Club lose on the road against Tamworth in the clash of the castles
An early lead squandered set the tone for a frustrating trip to Tamworth as Newark Rugby Club lost 37-22 against their foes in the Midlands Town Regional South competition.
Dubbed by the hosts as the clash of the Castles, Newark gained a try bonus point for scoring four tries but ultimately lost out to a home express that has posted an impressive unbeaten run of eight games from early December.
The best rugby from Newark came in a first-half spell following two early tries for Tamworth.
Newark showed they had the capabilities of posting an away win by scoring three tries from prop Harry Wright, centre Matt Walton and wing Ovi Gilder,
Fly half George Leeson added a conversion on an afternoon where kickers found the swirling win difficult to conquer.
Tamworth, having scored twice to lead 10-0, kicked a penalty in between Newark’s three tries and finished the half by grabbing their third.
It proved to be a key score and meant that Tamworth led 20-17 at half-time with the match in the balance.
Newark, who won the first encounter at Kelham Road 17-0 in November, led 22-20 just after half-time when number eight Jack Stickings shot over for the fourth try but hopes of a valuable away win soon evaporated as Tamworth fought back hard.
The try by Stickings was Newark’s last score in a second half where Tamworth grew stronger despite having their own number eight sent off for a second yellow card.
Newark also had two players sin binned in the final quarter where Tamworth forced one try from close range and finished escaping down the touchline from a line-out.
The home team struck back by kicking a penalty soon after Stickings scored.
After that Tamworth held the upper-hand and had a bit too much pace and power for a wilting Newark disrupted by the sin bins and an injury just before half-time to lock Jaymie Duncan.
Newark will be hoping their next outing on the road is more favourable when they travel to Wolverhampton on Saturday (kick-off 2.15pm).
