Debutant colts Toby Waller (two tries) and Evan Marshall (one) joined captain Matt Walton and fit-again Ovi Gilder on the scoresheet. Full-back Sam Hawkins kicked five conversions and three penalty goals.

Here Chairman David Godfrey reports on an encouraging afternoon for the squad.

Saturday 11 October
Regional Two North Midlands
Melbourne 46 Newark 44

Cockshut Lane at Melbourne played host on Saturday to an afternoon of glorious sunshine and equally glorious rugby, with both sides turning up with a point to prove and the determination to back it up.

Melbourne had the best of the first half points-wise, scoring three unanswered tries (two converted) and a penalty. The first came from some well-sustained pressure on the left; the second from a straight intercept on the halfway line; and the third from a well-placed cross-field kick finding the Melbourne no 11 who cantered over to score.

This was not the whole story, however, with Newark’s (significantly) smaller scrummaging unit generally getting an edge on the Melbourne pack for the entire game and giving the back line space and time to operate as well as forcing the occasional scrum penalty.

Coupled with a typically strong defensive effort and some increasingly robust attacking work from a combative back line, Newark were unfortunate not to cross the line themselves in the first 40, with James Brogden held up over the line towards the end.

As it was, the pressure they brought to bear forced Melbourne to cough up several penalties, three of which were duly slotted by the metronomic boot of Sam Hawkins, back from concussion. The half-time score was 22-9, and Newark were still – just – in touch.

From the scoreboard, Melbourne were in a commanding position as they went into the second half, but the visitors had not read that script. Following good possession from the set piece and by ratchetting up pressure in attack, Newark began to pin the home side back, and with the Melbourne No 8 getting a yellow card offence, they also started to add points.

The first Newark score came after a typically dominant Newark set piece saw the line charging onto quick ball and colt Toby Waller - on his debut for the 1sts - blazing through the defence to score between the posts – 22-16 (conversion Hawkins).

Minutes later, prop Haydn Godfrey saw a gap and carried some 30 metres to the Melbourne 22 before the defence caught up with him; with Alex Scott in support at the resulting ruck, it was again Toby who had the presence of mind to keep the move going with another excellent charge through and score – 22-23 (conversion Hawkins).

Newark were not to hang on to the lead for long. With characteristic grit, the home side dug in, scoring a well-converted forwards try, kicking a penalty and finally splitting the defence to put their No 8 8 (back on after his enforced absence) through for a great try – 39-23.

And it was at this point, with 15 minutes to go and a 15-point deficit that this Newark side really showed their true character, with three excellent tries.

The first came from a speculative Melbourne kick down field, gathered by Hawkins and passed to Matt Walton to go over on the right for a captain’s try 39-30; the second came from a trademark break through the centre by Ovi Gilder, who unleashed colt Evan Marshall – again on his debut – to score on the right - 39-37; and the final Newark try came from a blistering run by Waller and a sensational 40 metre run in by Gilder to dot down between the posts – 39-44 (all converted Hawkins).

Ideally, from a Newark perspective, that should have been it. But in one last throw of the dice Melbourne came back with a final move and just managed to push over on the left, and with the conversion, it was all over after the home side got a scrum from the restart and the ref blew full time – 46-44.

Congratulations go to Melbourne for inching the win in a very tight game, and thanks also for the typically hospitable welcome, which was much appreciated.

No Man of the Match was selected for the game – there would have been at least 15 contenders, although the debutant colts Toby Waller and Evan Marshall deserve a special mention for their impact.

But huge credit must go to this whole Newark squad who shrugged off the last few games and played with courage, verve and tenacity. More please!

Newark team: Hawkins; Holmes, Waqalevu, Waller, Gilder; Walton, Scott; Godfrey, Vinters, Wilson, Jackson, Robson, O’Leary, Dodders, Brogden. Subs: Nicholson, N Leeson, Marshall.

Tries: Waller (2), Walton, Marshall, Gilder.
Conversions: Hawkins (5). Penalties: Hawkins (3)

Next Saturday (October 18): home to Stoke, kick off 3pm.