The home side's scrum dominated for much of the game

For the second week in succession a determined defensive effort from Newark earned a nail-biting victory against a 1st XV side which never gave in. At one point Ashby found themselves three scores behind but fought back strongly in the closing stages of match which dragged on agonisingly past the usual 80 muinutes.

Last week fly half George Leeson won the match with a late try and once again he had a major influence on the game. He nailed two conversions and three penalties in difficult, heavy conditions but it was his kicking from hand and game management which did much to secure our third victory of the season.

But there were also key performances elsewhere which contributed to a courageous team performance against noticeably bigger opponents who dominated the opening exchanges - using big ball carriers to repeatedly get over the gain line.

The first Newark player to catch the eye was our newest recruit. Jack Stickings is a young back rower but his first game for Newark was at hooker. He made three huge hits within the first 60 seconds in a blue and white shirt and his swift hands also played a key role in two tries.

A special mention, too, for veteran Ian Tomlinson who - at the age of 40 - played his first game at prop and marked the occassion with a try.

Ashby almost scored within the first few minutes but flanker Josh Codd's last-ditch tackle held the ball carrier up over the line. Moments later the home side did take the lead following a favourable bounce from a kick through.

Newark quickly hit back when slick handling led to a try in the corner from winger Rhys Overland - the last pass coming courtesy of Stickings.

Ashby's big runners continued to cause problems but centre partners Ed Armstrong and Robbie Hunter-Shaw were heroic in defence. Another attack from Ashby ended in bizarre circumstances when the referee mistook the broken 5 metre line for the tryline. Realising his mistake he called a scrum and Ashby broke blind to add their second try.

In fact the home side's scrum dominated for much of the game and it's a credit to Newark that they were able to hit back and take a lead which we never relinquished. Our second try came on the stroke of half time. Stickings almost crossed after breaking through several tackles but the move was finished by Tomlinson and Leeson added the conversion from out wide to make it 10-12 at the break.

Injured scrum half Eliot Bratton,was replaced at half time by Overland with replacement Tom Partidge coming on as winger. Leeson's tactical kicking repeatedly pushed Ashby back into their own half and replacement Olly Cooke began to make hard yards of his own. Armstrong, chasing a kick, downed the Ashby runner and Leeson kicked the resulting penalty. Top try scorer Scott Edmed then added to his tally when swift handling - again involving Stickings - created space for him to cross out wide. Leeson slotted the conversion.

It was a frustrating period for Ashby who'd probably enjoyed 70 per cent of first half possession. Much of the second half, however, was a different story with most of the rugby played in their territory.

Another Leeson penalty took the score to 10-25 before replacement Dave Garland joined the fray, giving some stability to the scrum and carrying strongly on several occasions.

Another penalty to Newark was reversed after the referee chose to penalise some pushing and shoving. Ashby kept possession from the subsequent line out and eventually they scored when they hacked through and won the race to the line.

Leeson then restored a 13 point lead with another well struck penalty which should really have calmed shredded nerves. But Ashby, cheered on by a boisterous crowd, then reverted to plan A and big runners began to find gaps and leave Newark scrambling in defence.

With my stopwatch showing just two minutes to full time the referee declared there were actually nine remaining. A sustained period of late pressure from Ashby led to their fourth try and the conversion made it 22-28. Newark continued defending bravely and won a scrum in their own 22. Leeson - believing the referee had said there were 5 seconds left - booted the ball off the pitch. In fact the official had said 45 seconds remained.

Thankfully Ashby made a mess of the line out and this time Newark safely kicked the ball dead.

This was a thoroughly committed all round team performance which demonstrates how tight this side is and how everyone plays for each other. The win takes us up to ninth place.

Tries: Rhys Overland, Ian Tomlinson, Scott Edmed.

Conversions: George Leeson (2)

Penalties: Leeson (3)

CONTACT ANN AT events@newarkrugby.com TO BOOK THE ABOVE EVENT