A first-half try from captain Matt Walton helped give Newark team hope of success in a tough league match against Melbourne.

However, the Derbyshire team dominated the second half to run out comfortable winners by five tries to one.

Newark, playing their first match in 2026 following the postponement of the Matlock date last Saturday, were aiming to build on a narrow win over Belgrave before Christmas.

The team gave another whole-hearted display but could never match the physicality of Melbourne and were unable to create much outside as well.

Walton had scored in a bright first half when Newark created a good try for the wing after Melbourne had scored early on.

Walton finished off in the right corner after Newark had put together some good phase play.

That score left Newark 7-5 down but they failed to build including a missed long-range penalty attempt.

Melbourne scored again to lead 12-5 at the interval and then took over after the break.

It was uncomfortable watching for a good crowd at Kelham Road as their team endured another defeat in a testing season which sees them in 11th spot two points ahead of bottom-placed Matlock who lost 39-6 at leaders Dronfield.

Newark needed to field another new-look team including a halfback partnership of scrum-half Billy Charles and debutant Fintan Grogan.

Newark resume league fixtures on January 31 at Stoke. There is no match next Saturday – 24 January.

Team v Melbourne: Hawkins; Walton, Waqalevu, Catley, Gilder; Grogan, Charles; Godfrey, Vinters, Wilson, Jackson, Robson, Churchill, O’Leary, Brogden.
Subs: Hosking, Bennett, Waterhouse.
Try: Walton.