The 1sts had a disappointing trip to Walsall where three late tries helped the home team to victory.

Newark had fought hard to be only a point adrift at 24-23 midway into the second half following two tries from Ovi Gilder and one from captain Matt Walton.

However, Walsall proved too strong and Newark failed to grab a fourth try to earn at least a bonus point.

Newark had an inauspicious start, even before the referee blew the whistle to start the game. Lock Jamie Robson was injured in the warm up and dropped to the replacements' bench and Oscar Wilby moved up to start the game.

The game was played on Walsall's all-weather pitch in bright sunshine, a stark contrast to the last training session at Kelham Road on a muddy pitch in heavy rain!

As is now customary this season, Newark's scrum immediately came under severe pressure from a much bigger pack of forwards.

An early scrum penalty led to a Walsall attack which was rebuffed by good defence and an efficient break out. Newark's luck started to change when they won a scrum penalty and then broke out of their 22 when Joshie Waqalevu drew his defender and fed wing Ovi Gilder.

He found space and took the full back on the inside before accelerating away to score the first try. It was against the run of play and Walsall, inevitably, came back to score two tries in quick succession, both of which were converted.

Suddenly Newark were 14-5 down. Newark attacked again out of defence, winning a very kickable penalty which Sam Hawkins duly converted. Walsall added a further try from a rolling maul just before half time to leave Newark trailing 21-8 at the break.

Walsall emerged late for the second half but started as they finished by adding a penalty kick awarded against Newark for holding on after a tackle.

The Newark side were far from finished and skipper Matt Walton expertly snatched an interception from deep in his own half to out pace the defence to score under the posts. Hawkins converted.

Salt was rubbed into the wound when Hawkins added a penalty kick to the score. Newark tails were up and Walsall looked hassled under the pressure.

A Newark clearing kick was missed and from the resultant breakdown, the ball was spun wide to the left where Gilder was on hand to claim a try in the corner.

At this stage, Newark were only down by 24-23 and an upset looked possible. Walsall had other ideas and, despite a strong Newark defensive set in front of their own posts, were able to score a converted try.

The fates then seemed to conspire against the Newark side and a controversial penalty in midfield led to a Walsall line out from which a try was scored and, again, converted. On the stroke of full time, Walsall scored again to leave the final score 45-23.

Even the Walsall supporters conceded that the final score had not reflected the balance of the game but Newark were left to ponder on what might have been.

Next up is a home date against Paviors at Kelham Road next Saturday, kick off 3pm not 2.15pm.

Team v Walsall: Walton; Allen, Waqalevu, Hunter-Shaw, Gilder; Hawkins, Paley; Godfrey, Vinters, Wilson, Jackson, Wilby, Clayton, O’Leary, Churchill.
Subs: Ashton, Robson, Tarbatt.
Tries: Gilder (2), Walton.
Conversions: Hawkins.
Penalty goals: Hawkins (2).