Newark 22 Paviors 12 match report: Newark make it three Regional Two North Midlands wins in a row with derby victory

Newark made it three Regional Two North Midlands wins in a row after serving up more entertaining rugby in a 22-12 success over Paviors on Saturday.

If a festive lunch of turkey and all the trimmings was not enough, Olly Dodders’ squad provided plenty more to relish in victory over local rivals at Kelham Road.

The bustling Newarkers deserved the win and kept a step ahead of their bigger rivals to make up for losing narrowly at Paviors in September, 43-39.

This time it was a gusting cold wind which greeted the teams rather than late September sun.

Newark’s win adds to those over Walsall and Mellish, and puts the squad in good shape for a trip to leaders Lichfield next Saturday.

The match was refereed by Italian Kevin Gargamelli, who was on an exchange trip through the NLD referees.

Paviors struck first after 11 minutes when they sliced through the Newark midfield for a converted try.

That woke up Newark who dominated the match up to half-time, fly half George Leeson kicking a penalty to cut the deficit.

Wing Henry Allen provided the spills and thrills in the first half. He got up from one high challenge, before he backed up on the left wing to score a memorable try.

Taking a pass from full-back Alex Scott, Allen swerved in and around the Paviors line before diving in at the corner as he was bundled into touch. The tackle snapped the corner flag.

It was a close call by the referee but it went the way of Newark to give them an 8-7 lead at the interval.

Newark continued on the attack at the start of the second half and it was Kelham Road’s favourite player who delivered in the corner this time.

Budda Waqalevu joined son Joshie at half-time and some crisp handling gave father, on substitute duty, the chance to finish off in the left corner.

Paviors were certainly not done and a strong break down the left was only one pass short of a try. Full-back Noah Catley forced a knock on to give Newark a scrum five-metre out which allowed Leeson to clear his lines.

Paviors kept pressing and had another line-out, but despite four drives the home side’s defence kept them out and eventually forced a knock on.

Waqalevu senior was involved in the build-up for Newark’s final try. He made ground before being brought down near the halfway line.

The ball was taken on by Dodders who found Catley on his shoulder and the full-back broke free and with one man to beat fed scrum-half James Tarbatt, who found the legs to go over for a Newark lead of 18-7.

Paviors still fancied their chances and from some drives close to the Newark line eventually earned an unconverted try which brought it to 18-12 and within one converted try again.

However, it was the home side that showed superior fitness levels. One crucial intervention came from Leeson, who fielded a bouncing ball in his own 22 to put in a prodigious kick to gain a 50-22.

Paviors never gave up but the Newark pressure told and with the clock running down they were awarded a penalty bang in front. Leeson accepted the chance to put Newark clear at 22-12.

Newark 2nds recorded their first league win of the season by beating Derby 2nds 45-19. Nathan Churchill contributed three tries and one each came from fit-again wing Ovi Gilder, Calum Holmes and Luke Fisher.

The club’s 3rds are back up and running but found Horncastle a bit too strong, losing 33-19.