Attacking intent gives Newark edge over Leek

Newark recorded their best win of the season so far in overcoming fourth-placed Leek at Kelham Road.

The victory gives the first team a much-needed boost and highlighted the attacking play of the team and some good defence.

Wing Scott Edmed contributed two tries and one each for fly half Matt Walton and full-back Alex Scott.

Up front, there was a first of the appearance of the season for prop Matt Ashton and a return from injury of lock Will Ellison.

Here’s the match report from Andrew Fearn

The game started with both sides testing each other in a tight midfield battle until Leek won a penalty in Newark's half near the halfway line. Despite the distance, the Leek kicker took advantage of a strong downfield wind to secure a three point lead.

Newark fought back and smart handling threatened the Leek defence. The breakthrough came when stand-off Matt Walton jinked his way through the Leek defenders to score to the left of the posts.

Leek were offside at the kick off and soon wing Josh Ashe was causing panic in the visiting defence in an attack which faltered after a forward pass.

This encouraged Newark who took full benefit of an advantage played by the referee to set Alex Scott free to score on the right after good work by Carson Hepi. Scott converted his own try to put his team 12-3 up.

Leek then exerted real pressure on the Newark defence in the period leading up to half time and minutes before the break they scored after sharp inter-passing between their forwards. The try was converted. However, Newark turned round at the interval with a well-deserved but narrow lead of 12-10.

The second half started with Newark set to take advantage of the wind. After some initial Leek pressure, second row forward Will Ellison set the standard with a storming run through the Leek midfield.

This was followed by an outstanding try from the halfway line for Newark with well worked passing on the left leading to a try from wing Scott Edmed. Scott added the conversion.
The enthusiastic Kelham Road crowd were enjoying the enterprising rugby and their delight was compounded when Hepi picked and went from the base of a ruck.

The Leek defence struggled to repel the attack and Newark were able to quickly recycle the ball from the right wing across to Edmed who, once again, was able to score on the left. Scott slotted the conversion to give Newark a 26-10 lead with 25 minutes remaining.

Newark's defence was then put to the sternest test as Leek applied the pressure and scored a converted try followed, in the last minute, by a penalty.

However, Newark held on to win through a combination of sparkling attacking rugby together with courageous defence and their reward was reflected in their best league position of the season so far. It had been a real crowd-pleaser.

Newark team: Scott; Ashe, Britten, Hepi, Edmed; Walton, Tarbatt; Ashton, Vinters, Murray, Duggan, Ellison, Brogden, Denning, Dobson.
Subs: Godfrey, Stamp, Dodders.
Tries: Walton, Scott, Edmed (2).
Conversions: Scott (3).

Next Saturday (Oct 22): away to Leicester Forest, kick off 3pm.