Matlock led 20-3 at half-time

Midlands One East

Matlock 39 Newark 10

Newark made a great start at Matlock but failed to take their chances and ended up suffering another defeat.

An eye injury sidelined No 8 Chris Coen while Newark are also facing a lengthy period without Aloesi Waqalevu, their leading try scorer, because of a family illness.

These absences on Saturday did not help Newark’s cause and Matlock scored first after the opening 25 minutes when the visitors failed to take their chances after creating some good openings.

Matlock led 20-3 at half-time having scored first from a move off a scrum down the blindside in the 25th minute.
Matlock added a penalty in the 32nd minute before Newark managed to get on the score sheet through a penalty by Danny Coen.
However, Matlock grabbed a crucial try in the 33rd minute when they broke from their own 22 to register a second try.

A conversion and penalty made the half-time score 20-3.

Matlock kept up the pressure at the start of the second half and quickly scored a third try and conversion to lead 27-3.

Newark had their best moment in the 53rd minute when flanker Tom Coen touched down off a line-out catch and drive.
Danny Coen converted to cut Matlock’s lead to 27-10.

However, thoughts of gaining a losing bonus point were crushed in the last few minutes as Matlock scored twice to give themselves a comfortable victory.

Newark’s next league game comes on Saturday week (Nov 17) when Old Northamptonians visit Kelham Road, kick off 2.15pm.

Fixture arrangements for next weekend (Nov 10) have yet to be finalised after Mellish confirmed that they were not fulfilling the planned Notts Cup fixture at Kelham Road.

Team: Cox; Tate, Byrom, Collishaw, Statham D Coen, Clark; May, Tomlinson, Barnsdale, Primett, Evans, Rhodes, T Coen, Price. Subs: Jackson, Tatham, L Cove,

Rob Wildman