The match was a credit to both sets of players but it was the home side who grabbed the initiative immediately after half-time to turn round a 21-8 deficit.

Newark had their chances and needed another try to go alongside first-half scores from tireless back-rower James Brogden and two from the fizzing full-back, Oli Brewer.

Those tries plus three conversions and a penalty from fly half Sam Hawkins put Newark in control over OS, the hosts having led twice in the half from an opening three-pointer and a converted try.

However, the match began to turn in favour of OS at the start of the second half when they grabbed possession and never let go for 20 minutes, scoring two tries from powerful rolling mauls for a 22-21 lead.

The contest became increasingly nervy and a penalty from Hawkins put Newark in front again at 24-22 and heightened the tension.

And Newark will kick themselves for failing to hold onto the ball in those closing moments. A wonky line-out and scrum-against-the-head gave OS further opportunities and they worked a move which ended in a penalty for a collapsed maul.

It proved to be the last play of the match as OS landed the penalty to win this new-style relegation play off introduced to bring more jeopardy to matches late in the season.

For Newarkers, it was an afternoon full of ifs, buts and maybes including the sight of having two tries disallowed in tight calls for touch for wing Henry Allen and centre Toby Waller.

It was all part of a roller-coaster afternoon where Newark’s play in the first half was uplifting and showed how the squad has developed to overcome that slow start to the campaign which brought only two wins by Christmas.

Ultimately, those defeats (six by seven or fewer points) provided a mountain too big to overcome for the excellence of the spring when the team won five from seven.

That form was evident in the first half when Brogden finished off one sweeping move on the right flank and the speedy Brewer collected two more.

At half-time, those tries put Newark in charge only for the match to turn in the second not helped by Brewer been forced off through injury.

It was a tough end to a season though it should not be forgotten that the play off had provided an escape route which would not have happened previously. OS had finished above Newark thanks to a bonus point win in the final match of the regular season against Stoke. Bottom-placed Belgrave were automatically relegated.

Overall, it’s been a season of agonising close calls and a spring which brought renewal and hope.

Thanks to all those who supported the squad throughout the season. See you in September.

Team: Brewer; Allen, Waqalevu, Waller, Walton; Hawkins, Tarbatt; Godfrey, Fern, Wilson, Poulson, Robson, Clayton, O’Leary, Brogden.
Subs: Nathan Leeson, Jackson, Waterhouse.
Tries: Brogden, Brewer (2). Cons: Hawkins (3), Penalty goal: Hawkins.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY IAN WALLER CAN BE FOUND "HERE"