Newark pick up two bonus points from 43-39 Regional 2 North Midlands defeat at Paviors

Newark Rugby Club’s 1sts grabbed two late bonus points from a high-scoring Regional 2 North Midlands trip to Nottinghamshire rivals Paviors.

Paviors ran out 43-39 winners having outscored Newark by seven tries to five.

Newark did lead at half-time but Paviors scored three tries in a short second-half burst to take a strong hold. However, a fine finish helped Newark salvage two bonus points for scoring four or more tries and for losing by fewer than seven points.

This positive reward adds to an opening win over Matlock and should put the squad in good heart for Saturday’s home match against Lichfield at Kelham Road (kick-off 3pm).

The squad at Paviors included debuts for Ed Clayton starting at No8 and former colts Ted Coen and Henry Allen from the bench.

The first half saw the lead change hands several times. The home side scored after a couple of minutes following a powerful run from veteran No8 Phil Eggleshaw. Newark hit back quickly through full-back Noah Catley who contributed two tries.

His first try was converted by George Leeson to give the visitors a slender lead. That advantage did not last long though with the home side scoring twice to give them a 17-7 lead after 20 minutes.

Newark fought back through a move started by centre Joshie Waqalevu who collected a loose Paviors ball on his own 22, took the contact and fed Matt Walton who broke free deep inside his own half and showed a clean pair of heels to the Paviors cover.

Walton scored under the posts to give Leeson an easy conversion after half an hour which brought the visitors to within one score.

Newark continued on the attack and were awarded a five-metre scrum from which Waqalevu took the ball into contact in midfield and offloaded to Catley to dot down under the posts for his second of the day.

Leeson converted on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors a 24-19 lead going into the break.

Paviors started the second half strongly and scored after 10 minutes to bring the scores level but Newark felt this game was there to be won and took the lead back with a Leeson penalty.

However, Paviors had other ideas and halfway through the second half scored three unanswered tries, two of which were converted to give them a 43-27 lead with 15 minutes left.

Newark's dug deep and their persistence paid off with an attacking scrum on the Paviors 10 metre-line. The ball was moved left to give Ovi Gilder a bit of space. He rounded his man and showed his pace to go under the posts to give Leeson an easy conversion and earn Newark a try bonus for scoring four or more tries.

Then a free-flowing move went left to right, Leeson threw a looping miss pass to find Will Ellison in space. He took the covering contact and put the impressive George Bacon over on the stroke of full-time to ensure two deserved points for the visitors.

Newark 2nds endured a second close league defeat, losing 22-21 at home to Derby 2nds.

Newark led going into the final stages only for Derby to grab a late match-winning try.

Tries came from Alex Tuscher and Ian Tomlinson. Fly-half Matt Cox kicked a conversion and three penalty goals.

Newark 3rds found a Wath-upon-Dearne XV too strong at Kelham Road, losing a friendly contest 44-14.

Newark Colts continued their winning ways, 41-12 against Corsairs to back up a 31-10 win over Paviors.

They are scheduled to play Matlock in the National Cup first round this Sunday at Kelham Road (kick-off 1pm).

The women’s section had a successful start to their league campaign by beating Market Bosworth 57-17 at Kelham Road.

Ella Turlukowsky and Dee McKenzie both contributed three tries with Sophie Oldridge scoring twice and Cam Grady once.