Two late tries made certain of victory

Newark needed two late tries to make certain of victory in the opening league match of the season.

Success by five tries to one masked a nervy performance which allowed Ashfield to stay in touch on an afternoon where Newark dominated yet did not take their chances.

Newark turned round 10-5 up and it was not until the final stages that victory was assured when substitute hooker Steve Quinlan, on his league debut, raced in for his second try followed by flanker Jaymie Duncan galloping through a midfield gap.

Quinlan, a new recruit from North Hykeham, had scored his first try 15 minutes into the second half when Newark were struggling to turn possession into points.

In the first half Newark had started bright and breezy by playing some neat rugby to work a try outwide for prop Mason Coulam.

That should have paved the way for a resounding victory but Ashfield struck back to level before another excellent attack ended in a try for Rhys Overland, the right wing finishing off on the left following a kick through by Matt Cox.

Newark continued on the attack at the start of the second half only for another try to be missed following a forward drive which finished in substitute prop Fran Appleton held up.

However, Quinlan’s first try gave Newark breathing space after Quinlan, who had replaced the injured Jed Chapple in the first half, finished off an attack triggered by Jason Matthysz charging down an Ashfield kick on the edge of the 22.

Newark claimed a bonus point for four tries when Quinlan scored the fourth. Duncan added the final try by dashing over from 30-metres out.
Quinlan had been one of the new faces in a team led by coach Adam Corcoran who had been a last-minute registration to shore up a back row hit by injuries and absent players. It was his first serious game in two years and he brought an assured presence at No 8.

Three other players also made strong league debuts in centre Sam Dobson, who partnered Aloesi Waqalevu in midfield, scrum-half Alex O’Dell and flanker Jordan Cooling.

Photo from - Andy Cobb. -- Steve Quinlan touches down

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