No Quarter Asked Or Given

Bees welcomed Newark to Portway for the first time and, despite testing conditions, produced a full blooded game of quality rugby. Unfortunately, it is one I cannot do full justice to as I saw limited amounts of the first half and have cobbled it together second hand. Bees, playing up the hill, started with early pressure but Newark showed the resilience they displayed throughout the 70 minutes by repelling this without a scoreboard change. Indeed Newark themselves had the first opportunity for points taking on a long range kick , which , though accurate, fell short. At this point an injury led to a lengthy delay and a move of pitch. We all hope the Newark lad is fine and will make a full and swift recovery.
Bees drew first blood working the ball out wide for Josh to provide an excellent finish which went unconverted. The game continued to be played in the Newark half and this culminated in a good line from Tom allowing him to surge over and Noah added the extras. 12-0. Newark responded well and when the ball squirted out of the back of the ruck in the Bees 22 they were able to win the foot race and touchdown, this was followed by a good conversion to keep things tight at 12-7. As the first half closed Bees were awarded a penalty and opted to take the 3- this was not to be as it drifted just wide but Newark did not opt to put the ball dead and end the half but run it out- this was turned and a penalty in front of the posts conceded. The second bite at the cherry was welcomed to give a half time score of 15-7.
Bees started the second half playing fluid rugby and the pace of Tom O'Hanlon allowed him to touchdown out wide. 20-7. With conditions deteriorating the game became more attritional with the game ebbing and flowing centrally. Bees forward power was a big factor throughout the match and so it proved with Lewis Holsey battering his way over after 55 minutes to make it 25-7. Bees final try was the best of the match with the ball being worked out from within their own half and the 3 on 1 was executed well allowing Kamil to go over and James to add the extras. 32-7.
Still Newark were not done and it was they who provided the game's final score with a grubber kick through being touched down narrowly first by the visiting team. Final score 32-12.
A big thanks to Newark for making the journey and being such excellent and sporting opposition.
Words I failed to get into this week's report ; catatonic, fetid, carbuncle - apologies.