Loughborough RFC disappointed to return empty handed after narrow defeat against Newark

NEWARK 27 LOUGHBOROUGH 18

LOUGHBOROUGH travelled to Newark looking to get back to winning ways following a home defeat to Melbourne, but soom found themselves 7-0 behind.

Loughborough looked to regain the initiative, and found an opportunity when a scrum was won against the head. Loughborough co-captain and number 8, Kieran Hewgill, showed his speed and handling skills to put winger Rohan Makepeace in space. Rohan then showed his speed to run in Loughborough’s opening try from within their own half and the try was converted for 7-7.

With the scores level, it took a yellow card for Loughborough blind side flanker, Dave Hunter, to once again separate the two sides. Newark once again pushing over a maul for their second converted try of the match to make it 14-7.

Following the restart, Loughborough managed to force a penalty at the ruck, giving fly half, Greg Biddle, the opportunity to take three points and cut the deficit to 14-10 but Newark struck back immediately with a penalty of their own to restore a seven point advantage at 17-10.

With the first half drawing to a close, Loughborough exploited space on the blind side and charged down the field. A last ditch tackle only preventing full back Adam Lee from going over for another try. However, winger Jacob Abraham backed himself and manged to bundle over the line right in the corner to make it 17-15.

The second half started very much as the first half ended, with Loughborough exploiting space and making meters with each carry.

An opportunity for three points from a very central position were missed when Greg Biddle pulled the kick left. Not long after the missed kick, Greg Biddle was removed from field by the referee following a stamp to his head, despite Loughborough’s own physio declaring him fit to continue. Earlier in the match, centre Simon Taylor was forced off through injury, and now with the absence of their starting fly half and outside centre, Loughborough were forced to adjust and play people out of position.

Despite this, they continued to look like they could win the match.

Both teams now traded penalties, with scrum half, George Hincks, stepping up to the kicking duties for Loughborough. At 20-18 a penalty attempt dropped inches short to prevent Loughborough from taking the lead, then in the dying minutes, Newark managed to gain field position, and scored a converted try right under the posts to give Newark a 27-18 win.

Loughborough came away from the game feeling disappointed and slightly hard done by after not gaining any points from their efforts and will look to improve in preparation for their home clash against Ashbourne on March 2.