LRFC return to winning ways against Newark

Loughborough 25 - 13 Newark

Loughborough kicked off proceedings with a strong wind at their backs. Following a strong chase, Loughborough kept the visitors firmly in their own half. Constant pressure and composure gave Loughborough a penalty to take the first points of the day. Thomas Kirkby stepped up to slot the kick. Loughborough 3-0 Newark.

After winning a penalty from a solid scrummage, Greg Biddle kicked to touch just inside the Newark 22m. A pinpoint throw from Mike Roberts was taken brilliantly in the air by Jamie Grice at the maul was set. A powerful and controlled drive allowed the Loughborough pack to make their way to the line. From the resultant maul, it was Thomas Kirkby who managed to get himself over the line to score the first try. Try converted by Thomas Kirkby. Loughborough 10-0 Newark.

Newark came back fighting, mounting a number of charges into the Loughborough half. Dogged defence kept each attack out with Loughborough eventually clearing their lines. Loughborough’s next try came from a Newark lineout that was turned over perfectly by the soaring 10oz Toby Williams. The ball was recycled well by forwards and backs alike. A ruck 15m out gave Scott Pears the opportunity to pick and go, with some deft hands allowing him to get the offload out of the tackle for the waiting Pete Chennels to waltz over the line. The conversion out wide was missed. Loughborough 15-0 Newark.

Newark again tried to pressure the Loughborough defence using their big ball carriers. Loughborough kept their patience and got the reward they wanted. A turn over just inside the Newark half by Thomas Kirkby gave Loughborough a penalty which Greg Biddle quickly tapped and sprinted the 40 plus meters to score the try. Loughborough 20-0 Newark

After the Loughborough try, Newark started to pile on large amounts of pressure, eventually making their way to within 5m of the Loughborough line. Unfortunately for Loughborough’s Scott Pears, the referee judged him to have been too sneaky at the ruck for which he received a yellowcard. Down to 14 men and camped on their own tryline, it was only a matter of time before Newark got their first points of the game. Try was unconverted Loughborough 20-5 Newark.

HALF TIME

In the second half, Loughborough knew they had a lot of work to do now that they were playing into the wind. Newark made sure they used that wind and extra man to good effect, keeping Loughborough in their own half from the restart. With the relentless pressure, it was only the intensity and determination of the Loughborough defence which kept the visitors out. After around 15 minutes battering the Loughborough line, the home team eventually conceded a penalty which Newark knocked over. Loughborough 20-8 Newark.

Yet more pressure from the off as Newark really got their carrying game going, but again the Loughborough defence refused to back down from the challenge. Once again Loughborough fell foul of the referee, with yet more jiggery pokery being discovered at the breakdown. This time Owen Thomas was the man to have a 10 minute rest in the bin.

With the extra man Newark worked the phases well and got the ball wide to the winger who dotted down over the line. Try was unconverted. Loughborough 20-13 Newark.

Just as Newark began to piece together the phases for another attack, a stray pass was read and picked off by Thomas Kirkby, who somehow had the fuel in his legs to sprint the 60 meters to the line. Try was unconverted Loughborough 25-13 Newark.

For the first time in the second half, Loughborough were able to put together the phases and play some rugby in the Newark half. A driving maul deep into the Newark 22m rewarded Loughborough with a penalty 10m out. A quick tap from James Busby set off the Loughborough attack once again. Unfortunately the ball was ripped just as the Loughborough player was over the line. The resulting clearance kick was tidied away into touch by Adam Lee, who popped a hamstring in the process. With no one left on the bench, Loughborough were forced to continue a man down.

With less than 10 minutes left on the clock, another Newark attack and another yellow card for Loughborough. Mike Roberts deemed to have been naughty this time, Loughborough now down to 13 men. Unfortunately for Loughborough, there was still time for another yellow card…. Waylen Bradley this time, meaning Loughborough saw out the final 5 minutes with 12 men on the pitch.

Final Score Loughborough 25-13 Newark.

A solid performance from the men in Navy and Ode Gode, which saw them beat a side who are always in the top 4 come the end of the season. Captain Jamie Grice commented, ‘Could not be prouder of the boys today, the defence in particular was epic!’