Newark Rugby Club's youth secure three Notts, Lincs & Derbys RFU cup double
Newark Rugby Club’s youth section won two age group titles on Sunday and are looking to gain more this weekend.
The under-16s defeated Derby 31-22 at Kelham Road while the under-14s overcame Stamford in a match staged at Boston Rugby Club, 24-14.
This Sunday, it is the turn of the under-15s and under-13s squads to see if they can follow up in further age group competitions organised by the Notts, Lincs & Derbys RFU.
The under-16s came back to win after conceding an early try to Derby in an excellent contest.
Newark enjoyed the greater possession and played the conditions better in the second half.
Ethan Blackmore proved an accurate goal kicker, landing four penalties and a conversion, plus tries came from lock Oscar Wilby, centre Joe Doubell and a penalty try.
A crucial moment proved to be just after half time when Newark gained that penalty try for obstruction after fly-half Blackmore had kicked through.
The seven-point score put Newark 18-10 up after leading 11-10 at the breakthrough with a try from Wilby and two penalties from Blackmore.
Another Blackmore penalty increased the lead before Derby struck back to score a try from a fine piece of individual running which left the Newark defence outflanked.
At 21-15, the match was in the balance, however, Newark dominated the next period of the match and deservedly gained a third try when centre Doubell finished off following Joshie Waqalevu’s pass.
Derby grabbed a third try in the final stages but by then, Newark’s good defence had held firm sufficiently to make sure of the title.
Newark under-14s won 24-12 against Stamford despite losing fly-half Griff Morgan James to a collarbone injury in the opening minutes.
However, the team adapted quickly and took the lead through a try from wing Jack Taylor.
This Sunday, the under-15s meet Sleaford at Kelham Road, kick-off 1.30pm, while the under-13s squads provide two teams for matches against Stamford and Lincoln.
Newark 1sts secured fourth place in their league campaign with a win on the final day. They beat Ashby 45-5.
Newark 2nds didn’t enjoy the same feeling in their fixture against Derby 2nds, losing 59-15.
The defeat was a tough lesson for a young Newark side that was ultimately out-muscled by a Derby second team which had little resemblance to the side recently thumped by Newark at Haslam’s Lane.
This time, Derby fielded the sort of second string you’d expect from a club poised to join the Midlands Premier League, epitomised by fly half McGrath van Wyk, who earned ten caps with Namibia as a winger and played in the 2011 World Cup.
Van Wyk, returning from injury, ran the game, often setting up his hard-running running centres in midfield and relieving periods of Newark pressure with long, accurate touch finders.
Southwell 1sts secured eighth place with four points in their final league fixture.
The Redmen earned a 15-10 victory over Ashbourne, having taken a 12-5 lead into the break.
