NEWARK WIN EXTRA-TIME STAMINA TEST

Such an outcome looked almost impossible at half-time at showery Oakham where the home team turned round 20-5 ahead, having scored two tries to one.

Newark had made another poor start, conceding penalties and an early try, and a rejigged team looked out of sorts.

However, after a first-half effort from wing James Stark, the visitors dominated the second half powered along by a strong scrum, good line-out and some good defence.

To cap all that Newark also took their chances to level the match through tries out wide from Callum Slack and one from scrum-half Billy Charles who pounced close in.

Slack improved the try by Charles and then landed a penalty goal to leave the match 20-20 after the normal 80 minutes.

Newark continued to enjoy the majority of possession in the first period of 10 minutes extra-time. The pressure brought a driving maul from which Tomlinson was adjudged to have touched down amid a pile of bodies.
A good conversion from Max Chapple stretched the lead to 27-20.

Oakham had the better of the second extra 10 minutes but Newark’s defence proved too good and victory was thoroughly deserved.

An all-round team effort delighted the visiting supporters. Top marks go to the front row, new boy Will Ellison at lock and full-back Callum Slack.
Next up for Newark is a home league game on Saturday (Sept 23) against Ilkeston, kick off 3pm.

All welcome. Free entry.

Team: Callum Slack; Stark, Britten, Jordan Slack, Hunter-Shaw; Chapple, Charles; Shiels, Tomlinson, Appleton, Bagga, Ellison, Coulam, Bartsch, Garland (capt).

Subs: Fotheringham, Spurr, Mackenna.

Tries: Stark, Callum Slack, Charles, Tomlinson.

Conversions: Callum Slack, Chapple.

Penalty goal: Callum Slack.