They overturned a first-half deficit of 33-8.

Saturday October 14
Midlands Two East North

Newark registered a third successive league win in a remarkable match at Kelham Road where they overturned a first-half deficit of 33-8.

Two tries just before half-time by Mikey Boyd put Newark back into a contest which produced 12 tries – five by the visitors in the opening 40 minutes.

After Boyd’s second try the flanker had to be helped off because of a badly cut ear following a collision after he had caught the re-start.

Despite the absence of their leading forward, Newark dominated the second half to further cut back the deficit through some excellent attacking play.

Wing James Stark finished off twice and centre Billy Charles also raced over to put Newark in sight of a memorable win.

Loughborough’s only points in the second half came from two penalties which gave them a 39-37 lead going into the final 10 minutes.

However, Newark fought back again having sneaked ahead through Stark’s second try and a Dan Mackie conversion which gave the home team a 37-36 advantage.

That lead lasted only a few minutes before a Loughborough penalty put them ahead again before the final score of the match which came from Newark’s forward strength – supported by a couple of backs - saw prop Mason Coulam score from a drive off a line-out.

Even then Loughborough had two chances in the final stages but Newark’s defence held out to clinch a third league win in a row following success over Ilkeston and Lincoln.

Newark’s comeback made up for a disastrous first half when the home defence collapsed giving Loughborough an easy lead.

In between the visiting five tries, Newark showed they could also score and a try by captain Dave Garland kept them in touch.

After Loughborough scored their fifth try, Boyd had an inspired five minutes. He scooted down the left touchline for his first score followed by a second when he led a forward drive.

Overall, it was an all-round effort including help from the three subs and the support of another good crowd at Kelham Road.

The man-of-the-match award went to prop Fran Appleton for his non-stop work-rate and strength in the tight play.

Team: Mackie; Stark, Waqalevu, Charles, Hunter-Shaw; Chapple, Clark; Coulam, Bartsch, Appleton, Ellison, Primett, Boyd, Spurr, Garland (capt). Subs: Crosby, Britten, Dunning.

Tries: Garland, Boyd (2), Stark (2), Charles, Coulam.

Conversions: Mackie (2).

Penalty: Mackie.

Scoring sequence (Newark first): 0-7, 3-7, 3-14, 3-21, 8-21, 8-26, 8-33, 13-33, 18-33 (ht); 23-33, 23-36, 30-36, 37-36, 37-39, 42-39.