NEWARK 3RD XV 22
LINCOLN 3RD XV 19
BY TONY CLAYTON AND JOSEPH VERNEY
PHOTO CREDIT: TONY CLAYTON
Sam Moate powered over for two tries as Lincoln's 3rd XV battled hard in a narrow 22-19 local derby defeat at near neighbours Newark.
Josh Holiday also scored a try for Lincoln and Alex Brodrick successfully kicked two conversions as the third team played only their second game of the season.
This was a game designed to help Lincoln and Newark rebuild after the coronavirus pandemic impacted on player particpation. Although it was touted as a friendly, it was still a local derby with both sides attacking the game with aggresion and a total desire to win.
Tensions were high and it wasn't long before the referee was called into action to discuss players exchanging handbags. In all, six yellow cards were presented for open and frank discussion between the teams, but generally it was not a particulary bad-temptered game, and was well marshalled and controlled by the match official.
Lincoln opened the scoring after just seven minutes. From a lineout on the Newark 22 yard line John Feeney, who was making his first apperance on his comeback for the club, secured the ball to set up a driving maul. Newark had no answer to the driving maul and powerful prop Moate touched down to open the scoring with an unconverted try.
Newark were next on the attack, but gave away a penalty in the Lincoln half for offside. Brodrick kicked the ball deep into the Newark half for Lincoln to set up another driving maul from the lineout.
Newark were ready this time and stopped Lincoln's progress, but Holiday was able to find space to drive over from 10 metres to score a try, which Brodrick converted.
Missed tackles by Lincoln allowed Zak Brick-Sprays to twice carry strongly to drive over the LIncoln try line from close range. One of the tries was converted by Tommy Lee to level the score at 12-12.
This seemed to spur Lincoln back into action and they were soon awarded a lineout deep in Newark territory. The driving maul was held static and Jake Keeton, playing at flanker, broke away and drove into the heart of the Newark defence, but was held up short.
Ryan Harmer was next to have a go, but a dogged Newark defence stopped his progress, but the hosts were defensively stretched at the ruck. The ball was then recycled and found its away into the arms of Moate on the angle, whose swan-dive over the ruck restored Lincoln's lead.
Brodrick successfully slotted over the conversion to give Lincoln a 19-12 lead going in at the break.
The second half continued with the same intensity as the first and, after an arm-wrestle in the middle of the pitch, Lincoln spread the ball wide to exploit the overlap. However, Ryan Pegg gambled in defence and came up trumps to intercept and scorch away for a 70 metre try under the posts for Newark. Lee added the extras to level the score at 19-19.
Lincoln were quickly on the attack again and a braek down the left-hand side by Tom Law set up an excellent attacking position from the visitors. Moate again found himself on the drive with three Newark defenders attempting to drag him down to great effect, causing the ball to become disloged as the prop was in the act of reaching for the line, so the try went begging.
Newark then attacked and a good series of midfield interplay saw them awarded with a penalty 30 metres from the Lincoln try, and just to the left of the posts. The hosts elected to kick and, under immense pressure, Lee kicked the three points Newark needed to take the lead for the first time with just a few minutes left on the clock.
There was still time for Lincoln to mount just one more attack, but it was equally matched by a staunch Newark defence making key tackles as the hosts held on for a narrow victory.
After the match there was universal agreement that this was a great game to set the foundations to help both sides' third teams to rebuild.
Newark try scorer, Zak Brick-Sprays heaped praise on the commitment of the Lincoln squad for their aggression and set-play, adding that it’s great to get back onto the pitch in a proper rugby encounter with both sides committed to the win.
Lincoln vice-captain Chris Smith said: "The guys played well as a team and for the second game playing together they were strong and building well as a team."
