Newark Knights avenge last seasons defeat at Burnt Stump and hold pole position in the Pennant.

It only took 3 minutes for Matt Woolridge to put 3 points on the board for Newark after a lively start won the away side a penalty after a good powerful attacking run deep into the defence by Sam Sibilski, drew a foul from Paviors.

Five minutes later another penalty added a further 3 points from the prolific light-sabre accurate boot of Woolridge.

Newark continued to harass and attack and were awarded a third penalty for Woolridge to drill through the uprights. Nine nil down and looking a little ragged Pavs kicked out of defence, Mark (Yoda) Staines fielded the ball and whilst we expected the gnarled old experienced knight to launch into one of his famous marauding runs the faithful were shocked and dismayed when he launched the ball back to the dark side with his big lock forwards boot!! Time stood still.

The ball was run back at the stunned Knights and Paviors dark forces put their size and strength to good use and won their own penalty to draw back 3 points.

Newark replied with strong running and won yet another penalty for Woolridge to increase their advantage to 3-12.

Building up their forces the home side vented their anger and applied their heavy destroyers in a concerted attack and they pressed the Newark line and won two penalties that they chose to run.

Although the Jedi forces held the line, enduring attack after attack, Darth Vader saw an opening and threw the ball wide where Pavs exploited the overlap to score a try in the corner.

The brave knights of Newark were not going to let this set-back hinder them as they threw themselves bravely at the enemy and after great pressure from the forwards Alex (Tu-Baka) Jackson forced his way over in the corner to give Newark a 8-17 lead at half time.

The second half was a game of attack and counter attack, hard tackling and free flowing blood and sweat but no tears or any quarter given by either side.

Playing up the hill Newark won a penalty in their own half and this was kicked up the line to gain ground and an attacking position. The throw was cleanly won, releasing the backs, switching the ball inside to Siblinski who smashed a whole in the defence and then released the Millenium Falcon (Nick Galinski) who sped over the line to take the try tally for Newark to 3 and the score to 8-22.

Feeling the game was won the knights took a breather but were punished for their over confidence as Pavs may have been down but they are never out and they stormed back with 6 minutes to go with a try that they converted to put them within a score and coversion of drawing the match.

Newark had to dig deep, defending on their line for the last 5 minutes before Yoda Staines launched the ball into touch off that infamous boot to end the game after winning the line-out in the last play of the game.

Paviors finaly defeated 15-22. May the Force be with you.