Newark’s uplifting recent performances continued in the spring sunshine at Ilkeston where the 1sts notched a fourth win in five league games.

The 20 points from the boot of fly half Sam Hawkins was crucial on an afternoon when both sides scored five tries.

Newark, without the injured wing Ovi Gilder, included fit-again James Tarbatt at full-back and welcomed back lock Ed Poulson after his return from working in Australia.

The duo’s experience helped bring a confident start which paved the way for victory set up by an excellent first-half display.

Helped by first use of the Ilkeston slope, a 28-7 lead proved sufficient to withstand the home tide in the second half.

It was tense stuff by the end but memories of the first half will keep Newark supporters hopeful for next Saturday’s home date against Sutton Coldfield (28 March, 3pm kick off).

Two penalty goals from Hawkins punished early Ilkeston errors and created a momentum which ended in Henry Allen skipping away on the right following Toby Waller’s flick and Elliot Paley’s midfield break

Hawkins converted and a third penalty from the fly half stretched the lead to 16-0. The one-way traffic continued and Poulson’s forceful run gave Paley the opportunity to dash over for a second try.

Newark’s third try was probably the best of the afternoon, back-rower James Brogden finishing off following Paley’s break from halfway backed up by Ed Clayton.

Hawkins landed the conversion of Newark’s third try for a 28-0 lead which was reduced just before half-time by Ilkeston scoring from a pushover effort off a line-out.

Newark, now against the slope, immediately stretched the margin when captain Matt Walton scrambled over in the corner despite claims from the home team that he did not ground the ball.

The decision went Newark’s way and Hawkins added a further conversion for a 35-7 margin. After that Ilkeston took over and a converted try was partially offset by a fourth penalty goal from Hawkins.

Ilkeston powered over for a third try to cut the deficit to 38-21 but an interception from Waller in midfield saw the centre gallop over from halfway for a joyous fifth try.

With Hawkins adding the conversion, Newark led 45-21 which proved sufficient to withstand further Ilkeston pressure which brought two tries and a final score of 45-33.

Newark host Sutton Coldfield next Saturday and finish league games on 11 April at second-placed West Bridgford.

Every point will be crucial in the end-of-season permutations which already see bottom-placed Belgrave (11 points behind) set to be automatically relegated.

A second relegation spot will be decided in a new end-of-season play off between the 11th and 10th placed teams on Saturday 25 April. Home advantage goes to the 10th-placed team.

Newark are presently 11th two points behind 10th-placed Old Saltleians while Paviors and Matlock, ninth and eighth respectively, are looking over their shoulders. It’s going to be a nervy finale…

Team v Ilkeston: Tarbatt; Allen, Waller, Waqalevu, Walton; Hawkins, Paley; Godfrey, Vinters, Wilson, Poulson, Robson, Clayton, O’Leary, Brogden.
Subs: Budden, C hurchill, Waterhouse.
Tries: Allen, Paley, Brogden, Walton, Waller.
Conversions: Hawkins (4).
Penalty goals: Hawkins (4).

Next match: home versus Sutton Coldfield, Saturday 28 March, 3pm ko.

Link to information on promotion and relegation provided by Midlands RFU.

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