Firsts in control at Matlock

Newark’s trip to the Derbyshire Dales was uplifting for the views of the rolling hills and the spectacle of an excellent away win.

From start to almost the finish, Newark were in charge to post a convincing win by five tries to two and a second away win of the campaign.

As expected, Newark had the pace outside to turn pressure into points. This cutting edge was combined alongside some sound defence especially at the end of the first half when Matlock threatened to fightback after going 15-0- behind.

After a week off due to a frozen pitch at Wolverhampton, Newark flourished on the drying surface of Cromford Meadows to race into an early lead, wings Ovi Gilder and Josh Ashe leading the way.

Gilder darted through a midfield hole after 13 minutes to be followed by Ashe finishing off outwide as some good linking play kept an attack going forward.

With George Leeson adding a conversion and a penalty, Newark were 15-0 up without Matlock having tested the visiting defence.

Matlock briefly threatened only for Newark’s defence to hold firm to such an extent a third try was snatched just before the half-time break, Ashe having an easy task to touchdown off a Billy Charles pass.

The second half brought plenty of talking points including a calf injury for the referee which needed treatment and a fractious finish which brought three yellow cards, two for Newark.

In between all this, Newark grabbed two more tries through full-back James Tarbatt, following another long-range move off a line-out, and a score for hard-working back-rower Tom O’Leary.

Leeson converted the final try to put Newark 32-0 ahead before Matlock finished by scoring two tries as the sin bins tarnished a good afternoon out in the Dales.

Newark v Matlock: Tarbatt; Ashe, Britten (capt), Walton, Gilder; Leeson, Charles; Cobb, Vinters, Wright, Duncan, Stamp, Dodders, O’Leary, Dobson.
Subs: Jackson, Codd, Hunter-Shaw.
Tries: Gilder, Ashe (2), Tarbatt, O’Leary. Conversions: Leeson (2). Penalty: Leeson.

Next match: home versus Lichfield next Saturday (Feb 3) at 2.15pm.