News Archive

Details of Newark RFC’s upcoming centenary sevens can be found here.

NLD u20s hit the road this Sunday travelling to Bournville RFC for their match against what will be a tough North Midlands side.

Having beaten East Midlands in Round 1 NLD have taken great confidence in their performance following their promotion last season.

Over ten clubs within NLD have been represented thus far as well as the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Univeristy of Derby. All players have been a credit to themselves and their clubs / institutes.

The squad for this upcoming fixture is:

Robert Aikman – Nottingham University

Joe Barnes – Long Eaton RFC/Nottingham Academy

Josh Beech – Melbourne RFC

Josh Bloomfield – Nottingham Trent University

Jordan Butcher – Spalding RFC

Tommie Collingwood – Nottingham Trent University

Jonah Dickie – Sutton Bonnington RFC

Will Ellison – Newark RFC

George Harris – West Bridgford RFC

James Heale – Sutton Bonnington RFC

Will Helliwell – Melton Mowbray RFC

Jake Hicklin – West Bridgford RFC

Hugo Kellaway – Nottingham University

Dan Lamb – Nottingham Trent University

Jonny Morley – Belper RFC

Ollie Perkins – Nottingham University

James Peachey – Nottingham Trent University

Xander Purcell – West Bridgford RFC

Will Spendlove – Nottingham University

Will Taylor – Paviors RFC

Finlay Tweedie – Newark RFC

Logan Watt – Newark RFC

Travelling Reserves are:

Thomas Dowdie – Lincoln RFC

Kristian Powell – Derby RFC

Head Coach, Matt Derbyshire said “ We have a very competitive squad with all players pushing hard for inclusion in the matchday 24. Players want to represent their county and are doing so with fantastic commitment and efforts. We have provided opportunities to over 35 players in the match day squads so far and more will follow. A number of players have put their hands up for Midlands consideration and selection. It’s a squad effort and what has pleased me the most is the attitude of all players supporting one another and driving their standards higher each week.”

All support will be warmly welcomed for the game with a 2:30pm KO.

NLD U20s started the 2019 campaign with a dazzling performance against a strong East Midlands U20s. The blues secured an impressive 39-12 victory scoring a total of seven tries.

Derby RFC hosted the match and conditions were good with clear bright skies and a rather placid wing.

The squad comprised of:

Dan Lamb – Nottingham Trent University

Jordan Butcher – Spalding RFC

Jake Hicklin – West Bridgford RFC

James Bennett – Nottingham Corsairs RFC

John Cooke-Rogers – Melbourne RFC

George Harris – West Bridgford RFC

Jonny Morley – Belper RFC

George Pomfret – Lincoln RFC

Natty Brisco – West Bridgford RFC

Olly Overman – Derby RFC

Xander Purcell – West Bridgford RFC

Josh Sarsfield – Scunthorpe RFC

Jamie Murray – Nottingham Trent University

Finlay Tweedie – Newark RFC

Hugo Kellaway – Nottingham University

Iago Davies – West Bridgford RFC

Joe Barnes – Long Eaton RFC / Nottingham Academy

Harry Clempson – Nottingham Trent University

Josh Bloomfield – Nottingham Trent University

Andrew Brown – West Bridgford RFC

Robert Aikman – Nottingham University

Will Taylor – Paviors RFC

Logan Watt – Newark RFC

Joshua Beech – Melbourne RFC

The first twenty minutes were played with real ferocity and tempo with an early score for Iago Davis and two for Will Taylor. NLD’s ball retention was impressive as they recycled the ball with purpose and probed the opposition’s defence time and again. NLD dominated the game in the early stages as they controlled the key facets including scrum, lineout and backplay.

The second twenty saw a shift in momentum as East Midlands used their burly backrow runners to good effect. NLD coped well with these threats until a class line was run by their backrow who had power and pace to break through the home side’s defensive line to score. They soon had a second score with a quick pick and go from a couple of metres out. Before the first half was up NLD had scored a fourth try as the pace of the backline saw the ball spread wide left for a beautiful offload out of the tackle which Bloomfield raced onto to score.

Despite dominating the first period, NLD were challenged with playing with more composure and structure in the second half, as identified by the players leadership group. Ensuring the full squad was used, several interchanges had already been made in the first period, and more were to follow.

The second half started as the first had ended, with great energy and tempo from the home side. East Midlands were tiring and NLD continued to press hard with the ball in hand. Three more tries followed as Aikman, Brisco and Brown breached East Midlands’ defence to round off a fabulous performance with a fantastic result.

Each player represented the three counties with real pride and passion. A true testament to the great nature of the sport. Well done to all involved.

The new NLD Disciplinary Committee is now operational and we request that you familiarise yourselves with the updated processes involved, particularly the requirements for prompt reporting of red card and match official abuse incidents and the timely completion of club disciplinary hearings.

Please also take note of the new email addresses to be used for communication concerning disciplinary matters.

Full details can be found on the NLD website at https://nldrfu.co.uk/discipline

Unfortunately, due to poor pitch conditions, the NLD Women’s Trials, which were due to take place at Newark RFC tonight, have been postponed.

Date and venue of the rescheduled trials are to be confirmed.

.NLD U16s played, once again, on the new all-weather pitch at Derby RFC

After the weather we have had in the run up to Sunday, arriving in sunshine set up match day, but the clouds came over by kick off.  Having won the toss, the NLD skipper choose to make them play into the sun. Pity the sun decided to hide.

After the last game’s slow start, NLD set out to make amends. Running hard at EC’s defence they made the most of early possession to force a penalty, which Tom Wigglesworth stepped up and turned into three points. 3-0

From the restart, NLD kept the ball well and, when EC had the ball, pressured their line forcing a penalty from not releasing in the tackle.  From the resulting line out on the EC 22-yard line, a clean catch and drive saw the NLD pack rumble all the way to the try line with Ben Hart peeling off to score the first try. 8-0

Straight from the KO Liam Cooling ran straight back at EC offloading to his fellow prop Josh White. The pair looked more like centres than forwards and with the ball being fed quickly wide, Tom Davies scored; this time the conversion was good. 15-0

EC came back at NLD and with some good attacking play looked like forcing their way to our try line, but a great steal at the tackle saw NLD counter-attack and Jack Taylor strode away to score the third converted try. 22-0

The final try of the half came from yet another break by a prop feeding the ball to Tom Wigglesworth who dutifully touched down under the posts and converted his own try. 29-0 at the break.

Making several changes at half-time left us wondering if we had tinkered too much, but the bench proved just as worthy of game time as the starters.

Stealing the ball once more at the breakdown saw a kick ahead chased and gathered by Harry Clough who scored a converted try. 36-0

EC tried attacking from their own half but struggled to break out and a forced pass led to Ben Hart gathering a loose ball, which fed to Cormac Calnan saw him score a converted try 43-0

The next try came from a scrum in midfield which saw a great interchange and straight running by the centre pairing resulting in Ethan Heath-Drury scoring a converted try bringing up the 50 – 0  

Not to be outdone by the backs Jake Dunn broke through the EC defence and set up a thoroughly deserved try for Liam Cooling. 57 – 0

With the clock ticking down NLD then conceded a series of penalties which lifted EC, they drove to the NLD line and from a five metre scrum their No 8 pealed blind and dragged three NLD players over the line for a much deserved consolation try.

Final score NLD 57 – EC 5

“Good performance yesterday and an enjoyable game for the spectators too.” Lee Slack NLD U18s Manager

Big thank you to Derby RFC once again for their hospitality and to NLD for providing the three officials.

Next and final fixture is away against Leicestershire and looks like being a late kick off 3.30pm at Leicester Forest RFC on their all-weather pitch.

The NLD U17s Trials were held on Sunday at Derby RFC with about 40 players from around the Three Counties taking part.

Following the session, the Coaching & Management Team met to discuss a rationalisation of the Squad, which has inevitably resulted in a reduction in numbers, especially in those positions where there are multiple duplications.

The ability of the players on show on Sunday is testament to the depth of quality within the CB and any players who have been left out at this stage should feel proud of having been nominated as one of the best players within the Three Counties in their position.

Moving forward, a number of players in the current NLD U16s Squad, who will be identified by the U16s Coaching Team as being capable of stepping up, will be invited to join the Provisional U17s Squad along with those returning U17s players from the last campaign.

Further training sessions have been arranged with a view to refining the final numbers within the Squad to a more manageable level prior to reconvening for the warm up games in April and the Midlands U18s campaign next season.

Those sessions will take place on:

Monday 18 February & Monday 25 February

Venue: Newark RFC

Time: 18:00 for Registration

Duration: 18:30 – 20:00

These sessions will be skills based and NON-CONTACT.

Evidence shows that many of the players involved at Representative level are already playing an increased amount of rugby at school and club.

Consequently, the NLD programme acknowledges the heightened physicality such players undertake and it is designed to develop and enhance higher level skills and decision-making rather than merely reinforcing the physical aspects of the game.

Provisional U17s Squad

Max BAGGALEY

Euan BAGSHAW

Charklie BEECHAM

Tom BRIDDON

Isaac BURLEY

Noah CADBY

Oscar CLINK

Ben CROWE

Sam DAY

Tom DUNCOMB

Reece FLOWERS-LANE

Liam GAVIN

Max HAYES

Liam HIND

Finn HOPE

Josh LEIPER

Aneirin LEWIS

Oliver LOWE

Ben MANDERFIELD

William NORTON-LANE

Jack PATRICK

Eddie PIZZEY

Nathan ROGERS

Jack SANDERS

William SHENNAN

Kaie TURNER

James TWEEDIE

Callum TWEEDIE

Ciaran WOLVERSON

William YATES

Braedon YOUNGS

Liam SHEERAN

Ollie WELSH

Returning U17s from this season

Josh ALTON-SMITH

Sam BROOKS

Taran ELMS

Chris HESLAM

Caius TWEED

It’s early 2019, and the journey starts here. Who knows which players might shine brightly enough over the coming months to wear the blue shirt as a Midlands player or even the coveted White shirt of England!

Bring it on!

Lee Slack

The following players have been nominated by their Clubs or Schools to attend the NLD U17s Trials:

Max BAGGALEY

Euan BAGSHAW

Charlie BEECHAM

Tom BRIDDON

Isaac BURLEY

Noah CADBY

Isaac CARLEY

Oscar CLINK

Jake COOPER

Ben CROWE

William DARK

Sam DAY

Tom DUNCOMB

Reece FLOWERS-LANE

Dylan FRANCOURT

Liam GAVIN

Bobby GEORGE

Jack HARE-GOSS

Max HAYES

Liam HIND

Finn HOPE

Emyr JENKINS

Freddie KING

Josh LEIPER

Aneirin LEWIS

Oliver LOWE

Ben MANDERFIELD

James MARTIN

James NORRIS

William NORTON-LANE

Jack PATRICK

Eddie PIZZEY

Nathan ROGERS

Jack SAUNDERS

Ed SHARROCK

William SHEENAN

Dominic SHRIMPLING

Kaie TURNER

James TWEEDIE

Callum TWEEDIE

William WAND

Ciaran WOLVERSON

William YATES

Braedon YOUNGS

The Trials will take place at Derby RFC (Haslams Lane, Derby, DE22 1EB) on:

SUNDAY 03 FEBRUARY 2019

FROM: 16:00 – 18:00

Players should arrive in good time and have plenty of warm clothing and drinks. Please allow yourselves sufficient time to arrive, change and Register with Lee Slack (Squad Manager) so we are ready to start promptly.

The Trials will be held on the DERBY AGP, which ensures we will be able to train whatever the weather conditions.

PLAYERS NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE CLEAN BOOTS (i.e. underneath) TO PROTECT THE AGP SURFACE.

PLAYERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THE APPLICATION OF BABY OIL (OR SIMILAR PRODUCT) TO KNEES CAN BE VERY BENEFICIAL IN PROTECTING AGAINST ABRASION ON THE AGP SURFACE.

The Changing Room facilities will be open to us for the afternoon.

As this is a Trial, FOOD WILL NOT BE PROVIDED, so players and parents are advised to bring whatever nourishment and drink they and the players may need for the duration of the event.

If anyone has any queries regarding the Trials, please contact the Squad Manager (Lee Slack on 07739 295 182 or at [email protected])

Lee Slack

The NLD U20 squad to play East Midlands at Newark RFC on Sunday 3rd February , has been announced.

NLD really appreciate the support from clubs and universities putting players forward for this season’s division 1 under RFU U20 counties campaign.

Matt Derbyshire, Head Coach, said;  “NLD U20s have announced an exciting squad ahead of our first competitive game.

Excellent preparation and attendance at training camps have impressed the coaches who have great confidence in what is a clearly talented squad.

If you are able to support the three counties side, kickoff is 2:30pm at Newark, for what will be a testing and hopefully thrilling test.”

Forwards

James Bennet – Corsairs RFC

Natt Brisco – West Bridgford RFC

Jordan Butcher – Spalding RFC

John Cook Rogers – Melbourne RFC

George Harris – West Bridgford RFC

Dan Lamb – Nottingham Trent University

Jonny Morley – Belper RFC

Olly Overman – Derby RFC and Nottingham Trent University

George Pomfret – Lincoln RFC

Xander Purcell – West Bridgford RFC

Josh Sarsfield – Scunthorpe RFC

Will Spendlove – Nottingham University

Backs

Rob Aikman – Nottingham University

Joe Barnes – Corsairs

Josh Beech – Melbourne RFC

Josh Bloomfield – Nottingham Trent University

Andy Brown – West Bridgford RFC and Leeds Beckett University

Harry Clempson – Nottingham Trent University

Iago Davies – West Bridgford RFC and Loughborough University

Hugo Kellaway – Nottingham University

Finlay Tweedie – Newark RFC and Nottingham Trent University

Will Taylor – Paviors RFC

Travelling reserves

Logan Watt – Newark RFC

Will Helliwell – Melton Mowbray RFC

Former England Performance Coach, Russell Earnshaw, will be bringing The Magic Academy to Long Eaton RFC on 8th March.

Click here for full details and to book tickets for the event.