Despite a great second half performance where it looked like they may overturn a 33-7 half time deficit, unfortunately they were unable to make the final push having dragged the score back to 38-31 with 10 minutes of play left.

Union started brightly, but it was the hosts who were first on the scoreboard, their rapid left winger finding himself in space after Union’s defence remained narrow allowing him to round the last defender and run in to score under the posts.

Newmarket were again on the scoreboard, with a series of quick rucks allowing them to get behind the defences and score an unconverted try to take the score to 12-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Newmarket scored again from the kick-off this time finding a gap in midfield, with their 9 dotting down under the posts, which was duly converted stretching the score to 19-0 with barely 20 minutes on the clock.

Union’s solitary first half try came as a dominant scrum drew a penalty, allowing fly half Jay O’Brien to kick to the corner to setup good field position, the resulting lineout providing a platform for Whalebone Man-of-the-match Craig Dunbar to barrel over the line to score, which was duly converted by Matt O’Brien, narrowing the score to 19-7.

Newmarket were far from done and with some slick handling from their backs got the ball to the flank again, their winger duly scoring their fourth and bonus point try with just over half an hour on the clock.

They added a further score again catching Union napping at the restart, taking their lead to a seemingly insurmountable 33-7 lead at half time.
Newmarket opened the second half with a further try, capitalising on a loose kick by veteran fullback Graham Hunt, to take a 38-7 lead.
At this point however Union rallied, digging deep and keeping the ball close to their dominant pack made their way up field through a series of quick rucks, Dunbar again on hand to blast over the line from short range, Matt O’Brien adding the extras to narrow the score to 38-14.

Union were again on the scoreboard in similar style, the forwards making their way deep into Newmarket’s 22m, this time it was Lewi White who powered over the line to score, the conversion narrowly missing, to take the score to 38-19 with 30mins to play.

Union’s dominate pack were making mincemeat of their opposition in the scrums, generating a series of penalties which allowed fly half Jay O’Brien to kick to the corner to setup an attacking lineout. Ben Bond-Webster in a classic Union catch and drive dotted the ball down as the Newmarket defence gave way resulting in an un-converted, try to narrow the lead to 38-24 and claim a vital bonus point.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Union found themselves in losing bonus point territory, with a try from captain Matt Spenceley as he steered the ball over the line from the base of another powerful scrum 5m out, which Matt O’Brien duly converted to narrow the gap to an unlikely 38-31.

With only three minutes left on the clock Union got themselves into a great field position and looked odds on to score again, but were dealt a bitter blow as the ball spilled out of the hand as they pressed forward, gifting the hosts the opportunity to score, the Newmarket 12 running 60m to score and by so snatching away the losing bonus point and any chance of winning, this proved to be the final score of the game which ended 43-31. Meaning Union had to settle for a single try bonus point, despite a heroic second half display.

Union’s next game is at home as they host Ipswich YM, kick off is 2pm.

Team: Chris Spenceley, Ben Bond-Webster, Simon Pitcher, Lewi White, Jordan Read, Matt McLaughlin, Matt Spenceley, Jon Spicker, Ben Girling, Jay O’Brien, Graham Hunt, Alex Sinclair, Ryan Day, Shaun Lohan, Matt O’Brien Replacements: Martyn Webb, Craig Dunbar

Scorers: Matt O’Brien 3C from 5 attempts, Craig Dunbar 2T, Matt Spenceley 1T, Ben Bond-Webster 1T, Lewi White 1T

Norwich Union RFC

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