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Newmarket take out their frustration on derby rivals
LONDON LEAGUE
DIVISION THREE NORTH EAST
Newmarket 32 Sudbury 12
THE availability of a full squad paid handsome dividends for Newmarket in this Suffolk derby as they recorded their second win in what has become a largely frustrating season.
Newmarket began the game in dynamic fashion and several forward surges led by Mark Cooper, Lewis Smith and Mike Reeves allowed young scrum-half Jimmy Adams to scythe his way over beneath the posts, leaving Reeves with the simplest of conversions, 7-0.
After their bright start, Newmarket faded but their solid defence restricted Sudbury to just one converted try in a 20-minute period they found themselves under the cosh, including a 10-minute loss of Simon Guenigault to the sin bin.
The home side finally regained their composure and a clean lineout from Ray Richardson and Matthew Dyer was followed by a sustained driving maul, allowing Duncan Precious to guide his way over the line behind a black wall.
Reeves again added the extras and a much-improved Newmarket performance saw them head into the half-time break with 15 players on the pitch and a 14-7 lead.
With Smith and the effervescent Sherard Franklin to the fore, Newmarket again drove on in the second half.
Sudbury’s hooker was binned and the added space allowed Precious to guide the pack over the line again for his fourth try in two matches. Reeves missed the difficult conversion.
Perhaps the most stark demonstration of Newmarket’s strength came with the next try, scored by Robbie Holland following a 50m drive in which the entire Newmarket tight eight were involved, either taking the ball on or orchestrating the rolling maul. Cocks missed the conversion but Newmarket led 24-7.
A lapse in the home side’s concentration allowed Sudbury to cut the gap to 12 points, but further sustained Newmarket pressure led to a scrummage turnover, which was fed between colts Adams and McBride for the latter to outpace the cover defence and touch down.
To rub salt in the wound, an excellent kick chase by Simon Guenigault, Thomas Rowland and Phillip McBride left the Sudbury full-back with no option than to concede a penalty. Cocks slotted the ball over to close the game and a much-needed 32-12 victory.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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