Newark were 19-7 down in the second half before fighting back to post a fourth league win of the campaign, a second in successive weeks following last week’s win at home against Old Saltleians.

The win lifts Newark into 10th place, two points ahead of bottom-placed Belgrave and one in front of Matlock. Next stop is a trip to Walsall on Saturday (28 February) before a home date against local rivals Paviors a week later.

The match kicked off in spring-like weather although the pitch was heavy after a wet week. Matlock immediately went on the offensive and spent the majority of the half forcing the Newark side to defend against a much bigger set of forwards.

Newark found scrum-time difficult as a result and were always under pressure and to add to the problems the line-out also malfunctioned which didn't help the cause.

However, spirited defence kept Matlock out until the 26th minute when the pressure told and Matlock forced a try which was converted.

Newark still found it difficult to impose themselves and a few minutes later, Matlock scored another converted try.

Just as the half was ending, Newark made one of their rare incursions into the Matlock half and Evan Marshall squirmed through two defenders and from the resulting play, Ben Jackson crashed over for a try which was converted by Sam Hawkins. Newark went into the break only seven points adrift.

Any optimism among the ranks of the Newark supporters was quickly dashed when, shortly after the re-start, Matlock scored again to stretch the lead to 19-7.

Newark were not to be denied and rallied to put a tiring Matlock side under pressure for the first time in the game.

A clever cross-kick from Hawkins released Oliver Brewer on the right and he beat his opposing defender to score a try which Hawkins converted.

By this time, the Newark substitutes were all on the field and Matlock were forced to substitute some injured players.

Newark continued to dominate and a further try seemed inevitable when smart hands in the backs gave Ovi Gilder some room on the left wing and he was able to skate over for a try. The conversion was from near the touchline but Hawkins struck it well to secure what proved to be the winning points.

Still, six minutes remained and the Newark defence had to work hard to keep the Matlock attackers at bay.

It was a great defensive effort throughout and all credit goes to, particularly, the emerging colts who tackled liked tigers throughout and caused so many problems in the second half with their pace.

The win elevated Newark up a couple of places in the table and will have encouraged the squad to look at the remainder of the season with some optimism.

Team versus Matlock: Marshall, Brewer, Waqalevu, Waller, Gilder; Hawkins, Walton (capt); Godfrey, Vinters, Jackson, Robson, O’Leary, Cnockaert, Brogden.
Subs: Budden, Churchill, Allen.
Tries: Jackson, Brewer, Gilder.
Conversions: Hawkins (3).