Moderns 2nd XV 46 (8 tries)
Newark 3rd XV 10 (2 tries) Wilford welcomed Newark on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon. The 2nd XV needed to get back to winning ways and that’s exactly what they did. The pre-match message was just to play simple rugby and make the ball do the work. Moderns set about their task with vigour and within 10 minutes were two scores to the good, courtesy of Sam Burkey’s first try of the season and Phil Cowie’s first for the club. Both tries were well worked and reflected consistent features of the game. Burkey’s arrived from a well worked overlap and Cowie’s from an exceptional driving maul from a lineout. As the half wore on, Moderns continued to create overlaps, mainly through not over committing to the breakdown and with props and second rows regularly pretending to be centres, it wasn’t long before we were through to score again through Keith Farr. Newark, however weren’t giving up and a period of sustained pressure by the visitors saw them drive over underneath the sticks. Half time arrived with the score at 17-5 to the home team and all that needed to be said was “more of the same please”. With the new rolling subs rule, changes were made and Parr, Palmer, Trimble, See and Fifield entered the fray. All were to have an impact as Moderns began the half by moving the point of attack, spreading the ball from flank to flank and the tries began to flow. Excellent distribution by Hassell at fly half coupled with raw pace brought two tries to Max ‘Usain Bolt’ Trimble. Ben Hughes at full back scored the try of the match shortly after as Moderns ran the ball back from the kick off, first one way, then the other and Hughes picked the ball up at outside centre, rounded his man and went in at the corner. Moderns were beginning to stretch their lead and it looked like the game could quickly get away from Newark. They had other ideas though and for the last 10 minutes they upped their game and had a sustained period of pressure which resulted in a well deserved final score of the game. Both teams contributed to a game played in excellent spirit throughout. In summary, the Moderns pack was superb. Every aspect from the scrum, the line out to the ball retention and mauling was excellent. Slacky at scrum half enjoyed quality ball all afternoon, distributed with aplomb allowing the backs to run their lines, create opportunities and finish clinically. A fantastic team performance. If we can repeat this level on a regular basis, we won’t go far wrong. Newark showed good fight and two players stood out for me. Their number eight ran hard all day and their left winger came looking for the ball on a regular basis and only some good tackling in defence kept him scoreless. MOTM – Sam Burkey: A good try to get Moderns off to a flyer and popped up everywhere in the loose (alarmingly!) DOTD – Stewie Newman: Showed his potential as a Quarter Back for the Packers by picking up from a scrum and not just knocking the ball on but appearing to throw it a good 10 yards forward with nobody anywhere near him??
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