1st XV Match Report - Dronfield vs Newark

Newark did the double over Dronfield last season so there was a point to prove for the lads today. A poor performance last week against Matlock also had be exercised after some straight talking from coach Sean.

Whatever the reason Dronfield fired out of the blocks and never looked back with their best performance for some time. Playing down the hill the early signs were good with a great steal by number eight Chris Hale and Dronfield looked dominant in the first scrum.
On 5 minutes Dron went for a pack drive from secure lineout ball, (Kenny Jones to Wayne Elloway), The first drive fell short but the ball was recycled for flanker Hugo Ross to go over. 7-0

On 10 minutes it was deja vu with prop Charlie Taylor going over from re-cycled lineout ball after a quick pick up at the back of a ruck. 14-0

On 15 minutes winger James Marshall went in after good passing in open play, beating 2 defenders on the way. 21-0

On 17 minutes Newark slotted a penalty to make the score 21-3

Dronfield kicked off and good work from skipper Matt Hale put the Newark recipient under pressure and into touch. Matt featured again 3 minutes later with a slick pass to put centre A J Hills in under the posts with the bonus point secured in the first quarter of the game. 28-3

The try every 5 minutes run kept going on 25 minutes with Captain Matt Hale finding a hole in the Newark defence. 35-3

Things got worse for Newark on 27 minutes when the penalty tally gave a team yellow for one of their props.

As sometimes happens this changed the balance and 14 man Newark proved harder to break down. It took until 38 minutes for Dronfield to score again with full back Joe Farrell going over in the corner after Dronfield spread the ball side to side along the try line probing for the gap.

HALF TIME SCORE: 40 - 3

Going up the slope did slow Dronfield down and things got harder when there was a yellow card for hooker Kenny on 5 minutes.
There was a yellow for Newark 5 minutes later and rather unluckily it was the same prop who took the earlier team yellow meaning he was out of the game with a red.

On 60 minutes there was a great score by scrum half Jake Steade after a good run and pass by Joe Farrell. 47-3

Paul Joyce was next to score five minutes later after good pressure on the line. 54-3

Ten minutes from the end Newark scored a try under the posts from secure scrum ball. 54-10

Dron had last word though with Jack Longden in at the corner after some good work of the back of the scrum by Jake Steade.

FULL TIME SCORE: 59 - 10

A comprehensive win, especially against a team who beat Dronfield twice last year. This was especially important after losing at Matlock last time out and puts the team back on track.