Bridgford 26 Newark 52: Regional Two North Midlands match report

Newark Rugby Club started at such a rattle against Bridgford they led 24-0 in as many minutes and looked set for a comfortable win on Saturday.

However, Bridgford proved obdurate Regional Two North Midlands opponents and it needed an 80-minute performance from the Newarkers to make sure of an excellent 52-26 win on a ground where they lost 54-0 on their last league trip in September 2023.

Victory by eight tries to four featured some trademark nifty play and a good deal of sturdy defence to shore up a line up which was twice reduced to 13 men in the second half.

Against Bridgford, it was an afternoon where the squad stood up and did not make the mistake of another slow start like the one at Melbourne last week. This time, Newark were quick onto the attack and the early momentum rocked Bridgford.

Will Ellison, among the pack leaders, bustled over first before Ovi Gilder, a constant menace on the left, scored the first of his three tries followed by fellow wing Henry Allen and one from centre Matt Walton.

With Alex Scott landing two conversions, Newark had shot into a 24-0 lead and could have added further scores but they lost control when an attack off a close-in scrum broke down.

Bridgford took over up until half-time and scored twice to make the score 24-12 at the break.

The home team continued to press straight after the break and Newark’s problems increased when they lost two men to the sin bin as Bridgford gained a penalty try for their forward push.

At 24-19, Bridgford were back in the hunt although they had not bargained for that man Gilder on the left whose second try, a cutting break from 40 metres out, changed the course of the match.

The try extended Newark’s lead again and was backed up by a second from Walton who finished off more excellent inter-play and a break by substitute prop Will Hosking.

Newark dominated the mid-section of the half and further tries from captain Olly Dodders, topping an excellent display in leading from the front, and a third for Gilder put the visitors in control at 52-19.

The final stages of a wet afternoon saw Bridgford grab two late scores to gain a try bonus point as Newark finished down to 13 men following two more yellow cards.

The discipline was a black mark on a good performance while a knee injury to Aloesi Waqalevu, who had to be helped off, was a worrying sight.

Newark now have a break this weekend before resuming the league programme on Saturday, March 1 at home to Dronfield.

Newark 2nds lost 34-14 at home to Gainsborough while the colts got the better of Belper, 38-29.