Despite the torrential rain during the week,
the Newark pitch was in excellent condition, as Derby UKD ran out to do battle.
The Derby UKD team showed a late change, with Mark Bradley starting at Number
8, in place of Nick Southern.
It was Derby UKD who kicked off and with a strong wind behind
them, points on the board were essential in the first half.
Derby UKD duly pressed forward and the
first score arrived after 8 minutes.
The forwards drove over the Newark line,
allowing Mark Bradley to touch down.
A magnificent scything run by Pieter
Prinsloo, from his own half, would have resulted in the try of this, or any
other season, had he not lost the ball in the act of stretching for the line.
Derby UKD did not have to wait long for the
next score however. A Simon Rolfs break gave Derby UKD good field position.
Their work enabled Mark Bradley to break free and score from 10 metres, his 19th
try for the club.
After 22 minutes, Derby UKD scored again.
This time Simon Rolfs made the break, evaded tackles and touched down under the
posts.
With Brett Beckham converting 2 of the
tries, Derby UKD had a 19 point lead. This proved to be the half time score, as
Newark started to use their forwards to drive Derby UKD back.
Newark continued to use this tactic at the
start of the second half, to very good effect. After being held up over the
Derby UKD line, Dobson scored a try after 4 minutes.
Newark continued to press Derby UKD, using
the wind to kick long and their forwards to keep the game tight. Derby UKD
definitely had the edge in the backs however, as 2 tries in the final 20 minutes
indicated.
The returning Tim Lawson was on hand, after
Pieter Prinsloo had made the break, to score, before Pieter Prinsloo scored a
try of his own in the dying moments.
