The greasy surface did not help

A late penalty from fly half Matt Law gained Newark victory in this tense tussle which keeps the team third in the table behind Melbourne and Southwell who both won.

Here Andrew Fearn reports as the action unfolded…

Newark kicked off on a damp and murky afternoon.

A good crowd shouted encouragement throughout.

Newark exerted early pressure which led to a penalty which Matt Law duly kicked into touch. From the resultant line out near the Matlock 22, the referee gave a penalty to Newark just outside the opposition 22, apparently for backchat.

Law converted and Newark were 3-0 up.

Within a few minutes, Matlock mounted their first threatening attack and scored through their second row, Atkinson.
The conversion was missed.

Newark continued to exert good pressure, especially with clever handling in the backs whilst the forwards were finding the heavier and bigger Matlock pack more than a handful.

The greasy surface did not help the speedier Newark three-quarter line as a sure footing was hard to find.
After a quarter of the game, Billy Charles sped down the right to make inroads into the Matlock 22 and won the penalty.

Words were exchanged after an unfair tackle and Newark’s energetic second row, Mikey Boyd, was dispatched to the sin bin.

Despite that, Newark won the line out which followed and the maul went over for a try credited to Ed Poulson helped by Ben Huddlestone.
Law failed to convert leaving the score 8-5.

Newark continued to press and, after 30 minutes, the Matlock No 9 was also sent to the sin bin for expressing ill-timed opinions.

A midfield tackle resulted in a general scuffle following which the referee called both sides together and gave them a lecture.

At this stage, one felt that the official was struggling to stay in touch with the aspirations of both sides

The first half ended with further good pressure from Newark; a happier side at half time.

It was a state of affairs which did not last long!

Within three minutes of the restart, Matlock wheeled an attacking scrum on their left some 30 yards out and were able to send their left wing scurrying in for a try.
The conversion failed but Newark knew that they had to raise their game.

As play went into the Matlock 22 and their defence tried to break out, Boyd put in a great tackle and the ball popped free for skipper Tom Coen to force his way through the defence and over the line.

The conversion was kicked by Law. 15-10 to Newark.

Matlock stuttered as the restart barely reached the half way line and Newark had the scrum.

The middle part of the second half was a stalemate played out by two well-matched teams.

Newark were unable to convert some good possession.

After a smart interception by Law, there were allegations of a ‘tip tackle’ and a general fracas ensued.

Once order was restored Newark were awarded a penalty which gave them an excellent attacking line out upon which, unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize.

Matlock counter attacked with some menace and won a five-metre scrum on the left. The scrum collapsed and the referee immediately awarded a penalty try; a decision which was a surprise to both sides.

The try was converted putting Matlock into a 15-17 lead. Newark fought back spiritedly and exerted some final pressure in the Matlock 22.

With time running out, Law was high tackled and he slotted the penalty which followed.

The final whistle was blown very shortly afterwards giving Newark a deserved but close win.

Team: 15 Alex Scott, 14 Robbie Hunter-Shaw, 13 Aloesi Waqalevu, 12 Dan Mackie, 11 Billy Charles, 10 Matt Law 9 Matt Clark, 1 Rob Dunning, 2 Ben Huddlestone, 3, Jason Barnsdale, 4 Johnny Statham, 5 Mikey Boyd, 6 Ed Poulson, 7 Tom Coen (capt), 8 Dave Garland.

Subs: Tom Mawer, Ash Bagga, Matt Cove.