Rasen had plenty of pressure but Newark’s defence held firm especially at the start of the second half when reduced to 13 men for a spell following two yellow cards.

At that stage, Newark led 19-0 having weathered early Rasen advantage to score three tries through centre Evan Marshall, wing Joe Doubell and flanker James Brogden.

The turning point was an early scrum which saw the Newark front-row – Jedd Chapple, Jamie Vinters and Alex Germany – dominate to start an advantage which continued throughout the match.

The first try came after that early scrum when Marshall dotted down having burst through midfield helped by a quick pass from centre partner Toby Waller.

Newark’s second was also off a scrum when Max Fairlie’s kick through landed perfectly in the path of Doubell.

And a third quickly followed after Rasen had lost a man to the wing for a deliberate knock down to stop one attack.

That penalty set up Newark which ended in Brogden striding over to finish some more clinical attacking play.

With fly half Fairlie adding three conversions, Newark led 19-0 only to spoil a first-half display by losing James Tarbatt and Germany to the sin bin.

Newark needed some good defence straight after the interval to maintain that lead which was extended some 15 minutes into the half.

Full-back Noah Catley triggered the attack and his long pass gave wing Matt Walton space to burst clear out of his own half.

And the captain’s run ended in him linking to Tarbatt who finished off near the posts. That score earned a bonus point for a fourth try and victory was sealed through a fifth, centre Marshall grabbing the ball at a ruck near the Rasen line to score his second.

Newark finished on the defence again to finish a good all-round display.

Victory puts the squad in good heart for next Saturday’s (10 Oct) home date against Southwell.
It should be a memorable day of rugby with the 2nds kick off at 1.30pm followed by the 1sts at 3pm. All welcome…

Newark v Rasen: Catley; Doubell, Ethan Marshall, Waller, Walton; Fairlie, Tarbatt; Chapple, Vinters, Germany, Robson, Noah Marshall, Brogden, O’Leary, Denning. Subs: Wilson, Moss, Waqalevu.

Tries: Marshall (2), Doubell, Brogden, Tarbatt. Conversions: Fairlie (4).

Photos from this fixture can be found "HERE"