At a time when many clubs are struggling to field a second XV, it was satisfying to watch a Newark 3s side take on their Paviors counterparts in an entertaining game played under the sun in front of a respectable number of appreciative supporters.

This was an enjoyable match to watch full of decent tries which could have gone either way right up to the final whistle.

It also featured a number of new faces who could potentially prove to be valuable additions for next season.

A solid team performance - give or take a few brain fade moments - was also littered with a number of stand out individual contributions. Scrum half Rhys Overland and number eight Jamie Pickles both scored three tries with Overland showing that he still retains a decent turn of pace. His tactical kicking also paid dividends in setting up tries and easing the pressure as Pavs threatened to snatch victory towards the end of a fluctuating game. Pickles proved a physical handful - particularly in the first half - and was able to complete his hat trick despite playing most of the second period hobbling on an injured leg which required major strapping after the game.

Calum Holmes - who this season has played wing, centre and flanker - this time turned out at prop and more than held his own against a physical Paviors scrum and made a number of barnstorming breaks out of defence. His fellow front rower Charlie Musson also carried strongly on a number of occasions.

Winger Toby Baldwin, a former Newark youth player, made his first senior appearance for the club and scored what turned out to be the decisive try. The club's joint under 10s coach Ashley Stirland, in only his second game for Newark , made several strong runs which gained a lot of ground.

Pickles opened the scoring after he broke from the base of the scrum and twisted his way through two tackles close to the line. Paviors drew level after a breakout try and took a 12-5 lead shortly afterwards. Stirland then reduced the lead to two points with a neatly taken quick penalty near the line.

Pickles then broke blind from a scrum and a well-timed pass to Overland sent the scrum half on a long run in which he outpaced two would-be tacklers to score out wide. Harry Waterhouse kicked the conversion to put Newark five points up.

The home side then turned defence into attack with a turnover and an unlikely chip ahead from their number eight eventually ended in a try. They regained the lead with the conversion in what was proving to be a seesaw of a game.

Waterhouse then raced clear following an interception but his "try" scoring pass to winger Martin Towndrow was harshly called forward by ref. It was Waterhouse's last contribution as he injured his hamstring in the sprint.

Paviors scored early in the second half but the Newark scrum then took a ball against the head. Overland went blind from deep and chipped ahead. He regathered his kick to score his second and another bursting Pickles try on the charge put Newark three points ahead.

But the lead was short-lived as Newark coughed up possession while attempting to run out of their own 22 and the resulting converted try made it 31-27.

Fullback Tom Partridge made a searing break from deep in his own half although Newark were unable to capitalise and then Holmes broke through several tackles to run fully 70 metres. Although the Pavs fullback made a good last-ditch tackle, the ball found Overland who completed his hat trick and Newark had a one point lead.

However, a powerful Pavs run and try swung the score again before Pickles' third try handed the lead back to Newark for the fourth time. Baldwin's first try for Newark stretched the lead to six points and there was no time left for Paviors to come back.

Tries Rhys Overland (3) Jamie Pickles (3) Ashley Stirland, Toby Baldwin.

Conversions: Harry Waterhouse .