This latest success saw Newark far from their best

Midlands Two East North
Newark 22 Ashbourne 8

Newark are one win from clinching the Midlands Two East North crown after defeating Ashbourne to record win number 18 of the season.

This latest success saw Newark far from their best, but they were still too good for Ashbourne and collected a bonus point by scoring four tries to one.

Newark lead second-placed Market Bosworth by 17 points and one more win will leave the Leicestershire club unable to catch Chris Tate’s men irrespective of results.

The team will seal the title on Saturday week (March 24) if they win at Aylestone St James. Before that match, Newark take on Derby in the semi-final of the Notts, Lincs & Derbys Cup next Saturday (March 18) at Kelham Road, kick off 3pm. The winners will play either Mansfield or Paviors, who play on Tuesday evening, in the final.

Newark will need to play far better against Derby than they did against Ashbourne.

An opening try from backrower James Price opened the way in the 18th minute after a catch-and-drive ploy from a line-out.

But the tries did not flow and Newark only led 10-5 at half-time, Matt Clark scoring the second try after intercepting a visiting attack from near the halfway line.

Ashbourne had scored a try in between the scores by Webster and Clark. And they kept up the pressure after the interval kicking a penalty after prop Shaun May had crashed over for Newark’s third try.

Tate grabbed Newark’s last try five minutes from time. Matt Cox converted.

Newark used all three substitutes including a return for the youthful Danny Gray and Will Britten. Chris Coen provided the experienced forward figure when replacing No 8 James Price.

Team: Tate; Edlin, Waqalevu, D Coen, J Statham; Cox, Clark; May, Tomlinson, J Barnsdale, Primett, Tatham, Webster, Seabrook, Price. Subs: D Gray, C Coen, Britten.
Tries: Webster, Clark, May, Tate. Cons: Cox.

Rob Wildman