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Newark Rugby Club break their duck and beat Southwell in the Midlands Two North East division




In front of a crowd of 500, Newark produced a determined second-half performance as they came back to beat local rivals Southwell 20-6 in the Nottinghamshire derby at Kelham Road.

Played amid driving rain and wind, Newark overhauled a 6-5 half-time deficit to run out winners by three tries to nil, the scores coming from prop Mason Coulam, wing Billy Charles and hooker Jed Chapple.

Having never beaten their local rivals Southwell at Kelham Road in the Midlands Two East North division, Newark broke their duck and moved within five points of third-placed Ashbourne.

NEWARK rose highest at Kelham Road as they defeated local rivals Southwell in the Midlands Two East North. 081218TV2-7.
NEWARK rose highest at Kelham Road as they defeated local rivals Southwell in the Midlands Two East North. 081218TV2-7.

For Southwell, the defeat leaves them at the foot of the table on three points and without a win in ten matches.

Newark triumphed through their persistence after a nervous start had helped give Southwell the lead through two Paul Rich penalty goals.

The fly-half was clinical in his kicking and gifted his side a 6-0 lead.

NEWARK carry the ball out of the scrummage. 081218TV2-12.
NEWARK carry the ball out of the scrummage. 081218TV2-12.

Despite falling behind early on, it could have been Newark who took the lead in the opening minutes as crucial passes were dropped as conditions worsened.

After Rich had landed Southwell’s second penalty from near the halfway line, Newark produced their best attack just before half-time.

The move was triggered by Aloesi Waqalevu, who was called out of his short-lived retirement for the match alongside ex-captain Matt Clark.

Wagalevu made space out wide for a run from full-back Robbie Hunter-Shaw and the attack ended in Coulam claiming the try amid a pile of bodies.

Hunter-Shaw failed to kick the conversion but the try had given Newark some reward for their growing dominance.

That dominance, along with the rain, continued after half-time.

Hunter-Shaw added a penalty to put the home team in front at 8-6.

Newark then endured a frustrating spell as Will Ellison, Dave Garland, Jordan Slack and Rory Williams all went close but each time referee Scott signalled they had been held up.

NEWARK (left) prepair for a scrummage against Southwell. 081218TV2-10.
NEWARK (left) prepair for a scrummage against Southwell. 081218TV2-10.

Newark’s captain Will Britten eventually inspired the home side’s second try as he gambled on a cross kick to the unmarked wing Charles, who caught the slippery ball before touching down.

The score in the 61st minute brought the biggest cheer of the afternoon and it was followed by another ten minutes later when Newark’s forward muscle brought a third try, this time from inform hooker Chapple.

Hunter-Shaw converted to increase the home lead.

The two sides come face-to-face again on March 30 in the return fixture.

On Saturday, Newark travel to Ashbourne, while Southwell welcome Long Eaton.

The club’s respective second sides also went head-to-head over the weekend, with Southwell 2nds running out convincing 36-0 winners against Newark 2nds.



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