Newark constantly asked questions of their defence

The celebrations at the end of another bruising clash against a physical 1st XV showed just how much it meant to this group of players to avoid relegation at the conclusion of their first season in a tier eight league.

Conversely, there were some shattered and emotional huddles among the Grimsby players as they contemplated the possibility of life in tier nine next season.

They may yet be rescued from relegation via a disciplinary hearing against Gainsborough next week, but at the end of this hard fought encounter the overwhelming feeling among the visitors was one of dejection.

Following last week's lethargic start - against Gainsborough as it happens - Newark began this do-or-die fixture at a furious pace as they played into the teeth of a strong wind blowing straight down the Kelham Road pitch.

With just over a minute gone they were 5-0 up as the ball was neatly passed left in a flowing move which ended in a try for winger Johno Armstrong.

Grimsby looked shell shocked but minutes later they were ahead following a scrum in the centre of the pitch. A straightforward first phase play and a couple of offloads led to what was, in truth, a worryingly easy try which was converted.

Minutes later they stretched their lead to nine points after Newark were turned over at the breakdown and swift hands enabled a player to sprint down the left flank and cross under the posts.

The wind made kicking difficult though scrum half Rhys Overland was once again able to touch with his penalties. Full back Robbie Hunter-Shaw - who has enjoyed an outstanding season - elected to run back the Grimsby kicks and often made big gains as he left would-be tacklers floundering in his wake.

It was also another match in which number eight Josh Stamp took the fight to the big Gainsborough forwards. In this he was matched by the efforts of flanker Sean Denning and prop Finn Marsh who - time and again - made ground by running around and through several tackles.

Grimsby often found themselves on the wrong side of the referee and received two yellow cards during the match. Newark constantly asked questions of their defence and came within inches of adding a couple of more tries before a break from Will Alexander and Johno Armstrong put Overland in the clear.
The scrum half was chased down close to the line but the ball eventually popped up to hooker Nathan Leeson and his strength took him over the line . Overland's conversion made it 12-14 at half time.

With Marsh and Denning continuing to cause problems , Grimsby spent much of the second period in their own half. But in a microcosm of our season , a number of promising moves ended with errors or penalties.

We stretched the lead to 18-14 after Overland slotted two penalties before Marsh added our third try by capitalising on a chaotic Grimsby line out close to their own line.

But the voluble Lincolnshire side fought back after a series of penalties, big drives and crisp off-loading led to their third try and a three point game.

Newark nerves were calmed following a series of our own big carries in which replacement Matt Christian was prominent. Denning then found space and beat a couple of defenders to cross for a try which was just reward for another imposing performance. Overland's conversion completed the scoring.

Grimsby never gave up and Newark had to keep tackling hard until the final whistle with crucial hits from Christian and Sam Cobb typifying the team's determination to win.

We always knew this was going to be a challenging season - and so it proved.

There have been some lows - a few tough results away at Kesteven, Casuals and Melton Mowbray.

But some highs as well - a win away at Ashby (a side we also hammered at Kelham Road) plus a winning streak of three wins against 1st XV sides.

The aim was to secure our place in this league and that mission has been accomplished.

On to the cup...

Tries: Johno Armstrong, Nathan Leeson, Fin Marsh, Sean Denning
Conversions: Rhys Overland (2)
Penalties : Overland (2)