High-scoring 1sts make it three wins in a row

Newark 1sts’ try scoring spree continued for a third match running as the first team added Sutton Coldfield to wins over Long Eaton and Oadby Wyggs.

Victory by nine tries to six lifted Newark up the table to sixth and rewarded the enterprising play that has been fashioned this season.

Overall, the team has scored 170 points in the last three matches.

Newark led 19-12 at half-time and kept ahead in a second-half that galloped along punctuated by regular scores.

Captain Will Britten contributed two tries alongside a brace for Aloesi Waqalevu, who proved an effective substitute after coming on early on when Carson Hepi was injured.

Newark’s energetic pack laid the foundations and also contributed on the scoresheet, including two from James Brogden and an opening score from Will Ellison.

Alex Scott provided the goal kicks by landing seven conversions.

Those tries from Ellison and Brogden had given Newark the lead by half-time which Sutton cut immediately after half-time to 19-17.

However, Newark heeded the warning and quickly took control again.

Waqalevu and Britten went clear following more silky attacks prompted by playmaker Junior Rolls-Paewai.

Sutton briefly threatened again, grabbing a fourth try for a bonus point, before Newark settled the issue ­—Matt Walton and James Tarbatt finishing off.

The tries kept coming in the closing minutes, led by Britten’s second try, which was just about the best of the afternoon, the quick Scott taking play from his own 22 before the captain finished off.

Newark’s final try was scored by Waqalevu to reward more good counter-attacking.

Next up for Newark is a home on Saturday against fourth-placed Melbourne (kick off 2.15pm).

There was also victory for Newark 2nds as they beat local rivals Southwell 2nds 33-12.

All five Newark tries were scored by the backs, four of them after the ball was secured from a line-out.

Left winger Scott Edmed got a deserved hat-trick of tries.

Edmed’s first try came after a line-out and maul in the visitors’ 22, which scrum-half Alex O’Dell converted.

Another line out led to a try for full back Rhys Overland, which O’Dell again converted.

Southwell pulled one back after 25 minutes before O’Dell who stepped under the posts for a try he then converted.

A line out and well-coordinated maul led to Edmed’s second and a fourth O’Dell conversion on the stroke of half- time to make it 28-7.

The visitors began strongly in the second half and went over in the corner to reduce the deficit.

Newark put pressure on themselves by conceding a string of penalties but Edmed’s hat-trick try completed the victory.

Newark 2nds are six points clear at the top of the league.

The 3rds could not make it a hat-trick of wins for the Newark sides, going down 31-26 to Lincoln 3rds.

Newark tries came from Ryan Watts, Alex Jackson and skipper Rowan Allen who added two conversions. Newark were also awarded a penalty try following a high tackle.