The 1sts could not sustain a determined effort and slithered to another defeat this time away to Sutton Coldfield following close calls against Ilkeston and Paviors.

Captain Matt Walton led the way by scoring twice to put Newark 17-12 up early in the second half, Ed Clayton having crossed for a try in the first half.

However, the home team struck back immediately from the kick off following Walton’s second try and were never headed again to win by four tries to three.

The crucial score came late on from a penalty try after Sutton Coldfield had dominated the final 20 minutes.
Before the gloomy finale in fading light, Newark had enjoyed a bright start and had played the better rugby in the first half.
The teams turned round locked at 12-12, Sutton Coldfield having scored first midway through the half when a chip ahead bobbled out of control for the Newark defence.

Newark showed their enterprise in working an opportunity for Clayton, starting on the wing rather than in the back row, to race home on the left.

Disappointingly, each time Newark scored Sutton Coldfield replied immediately by grabbing the restarts or disrupting the defence.
Sutton Coldfield led 12-5 before Newark put together another excellent sustained attack to end in full-back Sam Hawkins giving Walton the chance through a neat pass.

Hawkins added the conversion to level the scores at half-time which had seen Newark also defend stoutly just before the whistle for the break.

The second half brought more good Newark play which included Walton diving into the left corner for another try.
That score increased Newark hopes of only a second win this season but Sutton Coldfield began to dominate as the visitors tired.
It was tough going and the score had been likely for some time before the referee awarded a penalty try for a disintegrating scrum. In the chaos of repeated defence, Clayton was shown a red card for a high tackle.

Team: Hawkins; Clayton, Waqalevu, Hunter-Shaw, Walton; Catley, Staniforth; Godfrey, Vinters, Wilson, Jackson, Bennett, O’Leary, Denning, Brogden.
Subs: Syme-Nicholson, Overland.
Tries: Clayton, Walton (2). Conversions: Hawkins.

Next Saturday – away to Dronfield, kick off 2.15pm.

Next home match – Belgrave on Saturday 20 December, kick off 2.15pm.