Overall, it was a disappointing day

Newark could not reproduce their Cup form on a return to league rugby at Matlock on Saturday.

After a comprehensive win over Stafford in the RFU Intermediate Cup last week, Newark hoped to continue the good work at their Derbyshire rivals.

However, Matlock, who are among the pace setters in Midlands Two East North, pulled away in the later stages of the second half after a try by scrum-half Alex O’Dell had given the visitors hope just after the interval.

Overall, it was a disappointing day which started worryingly when prop Lewis Himsworth pulled out due to illness.

Second team captain Ben Wells stepped up onto the subs bench rather than leading his squad against Keyworth in a Pennant match at Kelham Road.

Neither side could assert their authority in the somewhat scrappy opening exchanges. The breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark when a Matlock break ended in a try at the corner.

Newark responded to this try through an enterprising tap and go on his own 22 from debutant fly half Hugo Kelleway who made 50 metres up the middle, but possession was lost at the resulting maul and Matlock relieved their lines.

Newark had to make changes in the front row with Steve Quinlan going off after 22 minutes to be replaced by Ben Wells but then Quinlan returned shortly after when Ian Tomlinson had to leave the field after 30 minutes.

The visitors pressed hard but could not convert the pressure into points and with half time approaching the home side extended their lead with a converted try for a 12-0 lead at the break.

Rory Williams came on for the second half and showed up well throughout. Newark exerted pressure and forced a scrum in the middle of the park.

No 8 John Webster picked up and fed O’Dell who made ground up the right feeding Tuks who went close. Newark managed to get the ball back and O’Dell went over in the corner to put the visitors back in the game at 12-5.

Disappointingly, Newark conceded a soft penalty soon after to allow Matlock to stretch their lead to 15-5. The front row was further disrupted when Wells had to leave the field and Tomlinson came back.

Matlock were pressing hard near the Newark line and were awarded a five-metre scrum but Newark put in a huge effort and took the ball against the head to relieve the pressure.

The game was still in the balance with 10 minutes to go and remained so until the home side managed to break free and score in the corner on 75 minutes.

This was closely followed by another 2 minutes later and the game had taken a very different complexion at 27-5.

The front-row changes continued with Wells returning for the injured Jordan Hempstead, who once again had put in a massive shift. It was also good to see the return of Kent Birch from the bench following injury.

Matlock finished strongly with another try just before the full time whistle to give them a somewhat flattering, but nevertheless deserved 34-5 victory.

Newark go to Casuals next Saturday (Dec 14) for another league game, kick off 2.15pm.

Newark v Matlock: Taylor; Overland, Tuks, Britten, Charles; Kelleway, O’Dell; Quinlan, Tomlinson, Hempstead, Woodman, Duncan, Seage, Stamp, Webster.
Subs: Wells, Williams, Birch.
Try: O’Dell.