Reserved their best for a final blast!

Report Written by Rob Wildman

Saturday, Oct 5

Midlands One East

Matlock 22 Newark 38

Newark delivered another strong finish to overhaul Matlock and to maintain an unbeaten start to the league season.

This fifth victory, which brought a try bonus point, lifted Newark into third place, two points behind leaders Peterborough Lions, who are next Saturday’s opponents, and Old Northamptonians who visit Kelham Road on Oct 19.

Newark fielded a changed team bringing in James Price at lock and a newcomer at centre in Kent Birch who had impressed in recent weeks on second team duty.

Loose head prop Joe Tinsley gained coach Nathan Smith’s man-of-the-match accolade for his good scrummaging and work around the park, including a crucial tackle when the match was at its tightest in the second half.

But overall it was another good display from an improving team who proved too strong for Matlock after turning round 14-13 down, both sides scoring two tries in the first 40 minutes.

Newark’s five tries came from Nick Galinski, the wing contributing two, James Price and the half back pairing of Matt Clark and James Offer who also kicked 13 points.

Galinski’s first try put Newark ahead after a good opening rather than the sloppy start which has helped give opponents the advantage in recent games.

The first of Offer’s penalty goals put Newark 8-0 up before Matlock took over scoring two tries helped by some poor defence.

Both tries were converted to give the hosts a 14-8 lead before Clark, ignoring an overlap, raced through himself for a try which cut the deficit to 14-13 at the interval.

Offer’s second penalty just after the interval put Newark back in front only for Matlock to immediately reply through a drop goal which gave them a 17-16 lead.

Newark, however, had reserved their best for a final blast and scored three tries in the final quarter to remain unbeaten.

First, James Price touched down after forward pressure to be followed by an individual break from Offer which earned the fly half a try. To finish off, Galinski gained a second after the forwards had mauled their way down the field.

Offer landed two of the three conversions and in between kicked a penalty to increase Newark’s lead.

Next up for Newark, is a trip to leaders Peterborough Lions, who won 27-8 at Derby, next Saturday (Oct 12).

Team

Newark:
Tate; Dixon, Birch, Cox, Galinski; Offer, Matt Clark; Tinsley, Tomlinson, Shiels, Tatham, James Price, Webster, Lewis Cove, Neil Clark.

Subs: Dunning, Dan Price, Andy Hill.

Tries: Galinski (2), Matt Clark, James Price, Offer.

Conversions: Offer (2).

Penalty goals: Offer (3).

Scoring sequence – 5-0 Galinski try, 8-0 Offer penalty, 8-5 Matlock try, 8-7 Matlock conversion, 8-12 Matlock try, 8-14 Matlock conversion, 13-14 Matt Clark try.

Second half: 16-14 Offer pen, 16-17 Matlock drop goal, 21-17 James Price try, 23-17 Offer conversion, 28-17 Offer try, 28-22 Matlock try, 31-22 Offer penalty, 36-22 Galinski try, 38-22 Offer conversion.

Rob Wildman