Newark win a cliff-hanger at Matlock

Two tries from match-day captain Jed Chapple inspired Newark to a memorable win at Matlock and the team’s fourth in the league this season.

Chapple, taking over from the injured regular captain Will Britten, scored twice in the second half as his team came back from a half-time deficit of 19-5.

The front rower was joined on the scoresheet by No 8 Dave Garland, who scored in the first half, and one each for the halfbacks of Matt Cox and Findlay Tweedie.

Newark finished strongly after Matlock had taken a 29-12 lead.

Newark kicked off on a fine and sunny day in the scenic surroundings of Cromford Meadows.

Immediately Matlock took the initiative and a series of penalties led to an infringement by Newark. Billy Charles going for the interception was deemed to have deliberately knocked the ball on and received a yellow card and the home team a penalty try.

Continued Matlock pressure led to another try which was converted to give the home side a 14-0 lead. At this stage there was only one side in the game.

Newark ventured into the Matlock half for the first time after 20 minutes.
A penalty by Matt Cox penalty put us into a good position on the right and the line out led to a good driving maul and the last man up was Dave Garland, justifiably claiming a try.

We were back in the game!

Newark suffered an immediate setback when Lewis Himsworth had to leave the field with an ankle injury but he was replaced by the hard running Francis Appleton.

Despite Newark pressure, Matlock broke out and scored a try on the stroke of half-time to put them 19-5 ahead.

Newark could realistically be disappointed by this setback which followed a good period of pressure.

After the re-start, Newark once again applied pressure and after a penalty followed by a line out and rolling maul, Cox was set free at stand off and a dummy opened up the defence to enable him to power through for a try which he converted. Newark were back in the game at 19-12.

The recovery didn't last long, however, as Matlock responded with an attack on their left leading to a penalty and line out from the resultant kick to touch.

The inevitable rolling maul followed and Matlock went over for a converted try. The afternoon was looking gloomy for Newark as Matlock soon won a penalty in front of the posts and Cox was yellow carded.

Matlock were ahead by 29-12. Even so Newark looked by far the fitter side and several of the home side looked to be blowing heavily.

Jordan Slack provided a calming influence in Cox’s temporary absence and made several telling touch finds to keep Newark pushing forward.

The Newark supporters were encouraged by a ferocious midfield tackle by Charles.
It was the catalyst for sustained pressure which led to a yellow card for a Matlock player followed by a well-deserved try for Jed Chapple, converted by Robbie Hunter-Shaw.

Newark were back in business at 29-19 down and the best move of the game came with a slick handling down the left flank which led to a deserved try by Findlay Tweedie to bring us into contention once again at 29-24.

With only a minute or two left, Newark won a penalty on the left and Cox pushed the ball to within 10 metres of the Matlock line.

Newark secured the resultant line-out and the rolling maul went over to give captain Chapple another well-deserved try.

Cox kicked the crucial conversion to give Newark a 29-31 lead, the first time in the game that they had been in front!

Newark managed the last couple of plays sensibly and the referee's whistle blew a few moments later to give the team a very good win.

The whole side can be immensely proud of their resilience in withstanding the Matlock aggression and believing in their ability to persevere and to gain a memorable win.

Team: Hunter-Shaw; Overland, Birch, Jordan Slack, Charles; Cox, Tweedie; Coulam, Himsworth, Chapple (capt), Williams, Witton, Brogden, Duncan, Garland (capt).

Subs: Appleton, Ellison, Harding.

Tries: Garland, Cox, Chapple (2), Tweedie.

Conversions: Cox (2), Hunter-Shaw.