Newark fightback not enough for victory
Newark’s recent last-gasp triumphs came to an equally-thrilling late end as they just failed to stage another winning fightback.
The visitors went over for five tries, however, and claimed two Midlands 2 East (North) bonus points, which looked unlikely as they trailed 29-0 at half-time.
Newark will be hoping to avoid a further slow start this Saturday when they entertain Old Laurentian in the second round of the RFU Intermediate Cup at Kelham Road (kick-off 2.15pm).
Newark made five enforced changes from the side that beat Loughborough the previous week.
Four knock-ons put the visitors on the back foot as Matlock took advantage to score two tries in nine minutes.
The power of the home forwards in the loose continued to prove crucial as the lead was extended to 24 points following a rolling maul.
Before half-time Matlock’s right-winger made it 29-0 and Newark were unable to capitalise on two penalties.
Immediately after the break, however, the balance of power switched as the visitors exerted pressure.
Although a good attack prompted by Aloesi Waqalevu and Billy Charles came to nothing, Max Chapple made a promising break from stand-off and Newark gained an attacking scrum on the 22.
Dave Garland then fed Matt Clarke on the blind side and Dan Mackie went over for a try, which he converted.
Matlock immediately hit back with a try to restore their 29-point advantage.
Newark’s play had more urgency and a cross-kick into the right wing led to a try for captain Garland.
Good work by Max Spurr and Fran Appleton was followed by quick passing to Waqalevu on the left, who ran in for a well-worked team try.
Chapple’s conversion made it 36-19 as Newark, now dominating, hunted a fourth score for a bonus point.
It came as Ian Tomlinson crossed the line and Chapple again kicked the conversion.
Will Britten broke down the left and, after an exchange of passes, was put in for a try by Waqalevu, which Chapple converted, to take Newark to within three points of the home side.
The visitors pressed for a further score to claim another unlikely win after recent successful comebacks, but this time were unable to capitalise on half-chances in wet and windy conditions.
Newark: Mackie; Stark, Waqalevu, Charles, Britten; Chapple, Clark; Dunning, Tomlinson, Appleton, Bagga, Primett, Spurr, Crosby, Garland (capt).Subs: Hempstead, Hunter-Shaw, Fotheringham.
- Newark 2nds scored one try as they went down 48-7 at Matlock in their Pennant fixture. Newark 3rds were also beaten in their Pennant group, scoring two tries as they lost 40-10 to Corsairs at Kelham Road. Newark 4ths triumphed 36-19 against visitors Mellish, going over for six tries in a further Pennant fixture. Outside centre James Daman-Willems scored a hat-trick of tries, back row Reece Dixon two and full-back Craig Ellis one.