A late penalty goal from Matt Cox edged out Peterborough

Midlands One East
Newark 19 Peterborough 17

Newark bounced back from the disappointment of defeat by Towcestrians last week to win a third league game in 2013 which keeps them in a reasonably healthy mid-table position of eighth.

A late penalty goal from Matt Cox edged out Peterborough in a match at Kelham Road where the visitors scored three tries to one.

Cox landed four penalty goals and converted a try, near the end of the first half by back-rower Neil Clark, for a personal haul of 14 points.

Newark led 13-7 at half-time, having grabbed their only try just before the break through the enterprise of Matt Clark and the support of brother Neil.

Cox landed the difficult conversion in a good kicking display which included two long-range efforts in the second half.

The fly half had given Newark an early lead only for Peterborough to take control in the 31st through the first of their three tries.

A second penalty by Cox cut the deficit before the Clark brothers combined for Newark’s only try.

Peterborough struck back early in the second half when an interception ended in their second try. The conversion was missed to keep Newark ahead by a point at 13-12.

Cox’s third penalty extended Newark’s lead to 16-12 but Peterborough’s third try edged the visitors ahead at 16-17.

And it needed another good kick by Cox to put Newark back into the lead in the 75th minute.

Though Peterborough pressed in the final minutes, Newark hung on to record a valuable win for a team who had undergone some late changes, including a recall for prop Devan Priestley for the unavailable Shaun May.

Aloesi Waqalevu also returned at centre and there were substitute appearances for Will Naylor, in at hooker, and newcomer Max Spurr, a youth team flanker.

Newark are at home again next Saturday, against Market Rasen, in a league game, kick off 2.15pm.

Scores: 4 mins, 3-0 Cox pen, 31 mins, 3-7 Peterborough try and con, 40 mins, 6-7 Cox pen, 42 mins, 13-7 try Neil Clark, con Cox. Ht: 44 mins, 13-12 Peterborough try, 57 mins, 16-12, 72 mins: 16-17 Peterborough try, 75 mins: 19-17 Cox pen.

Team: Mark Byrom; Statham, Collishaw, Waqalevu, Tate; Cox, Matt Clark; Dunning, Barnsdale, Priestley, Primett, Evans, Tatham, Neil Clark, Price.

Subs: Naylor, Spurr, Edlin.

Try: Neil Clark.
Conversion: Matt Cox.
Penalty goals: Cox (4).

Rob Wildman