Players prepare for cup

Newark 1st XV warmed up for another cup game against local rivals Mansfield tomorrow after recording their biggest league win of the season — a 67-7 victory at home against Melton.

Dan Coen’s team travel to Mansfield hoping to repeat their victory in the Three Counties Cup last month.

This latest battle against their local rivals is a Notts Cup semi-final clash, kicking off at Eakring Road at 2.30pm tomorrow.

Dan Coen provided six conversions in their victory against Melton, which keeps them in fourth place in the league.

Newark swept into a 19-0 lead through tries from Michael Dobson, Mark Miller and Ed Collishaw.

Melton fought back through a try off a rolling maul but Newark’s greater speed and continuity proved a potent mix.

Nine players contributed tries, with two each from Collishaw and wing Martin Brummitt. The other scorers were prop Shaun May, the two flankers Charlie Claydon and Matt Brewer, wing Buddha Waqalevu and lock Jon Evans.

The prospect of a Three Counties Cup final against Scunthorpe on April 6, has increased the competition for places, especially among the forwards where Claydon and Chris Coen, who started at lock, have returned after injury.