This bonus point win at Kelham Road showed that on their day, the Seconds can compete with most of the teams in this league.

The victory owed much to some powerful line breaks by the forwards on the back of effective mauls, allied to some outstanding clearance kicks from fly half Matt Cox who twice earned 50:22 lineouts when Newark were under pressure deep in their own half.

In truth, Newark dominated much of this game with Grimsby struggling in the second period to get out of their own half. However, things started badly with Newark conceding three penalties in the first five minutes before The Boars crossed for the opening converted try following a neatly taken tap and go.

Cox cut their lead to four points with a penalty before flanker Calum Holmes gained 40 yards with a kick and chase. From the ensuing line out the ball was spun wide before second row Fin Bennett forced his way over with a despairing defender clinging around his neck. It was just reward for Bennett who'd already made a number of hard carries.

From this point, Grimsby began wracking up penalties of their own with one of their players being shown a yellow for cumulative infringements and another Cox penalty made the score 11-7.

A few more potential tries went begging when possession was kicked away in Grimsby's 22 before winger Lenny Coen cut back inside and ran around several defenders. His grubber kick found his fellow winger Tom Partridge who gathered his own kick to cross for Newark's second try to make it 16-7 at half time.

The second half saw the introduction of prop Nathan King who time and again punched holes in the Grimsby defence. In this he was ably assisted by newcomer James Pickles making his Newark debut. The physicality of the former Gainsborough player looks set to be a significant asset.

Once again, Newark's line out was solid with stand-in skipper Josh Codd claiming his usual quota and often disrupting the Grimsby throw. Rhys Overland added Newark's third try after Codd broke blind from a scrum and fed the scrum half who scampered over out wide. King then completed the scoring after he burst through three tackles to power his way over the line.,

The visitors added a second of their own late in the game following a penalty in Newark's 22 - one of the few occasions they were able to break free from their own half in the second period..

Next week brings a big challenge in the form of runaway, unbeaten leaders Boston. It'll be a tough task for the Seconds although the aim must still be to finish high in the top half of the table.

Tries: Finn Bennett, Tom Partridge, Rhys Overland, Nathan King
Penalties Matt Cox (2)