Newark Rugby Club end Regional Two North Midlands season with 22-10 win at Matlock; 2nds lose to Notts Casuals but the women’s team beat Hinckley 41-15

A busy Saturday brought victory for Newark’s 1sts and women’s senior team but also a few tears for the 2nds who had another close defeat in their league campaign.

The double header at Kelham Road attracted plenty of spectators who watched the women’s team continue their unbeaten run over Hinckley, 41-15, while the 2nds, struggling to avoid relegation, lost out 43-26 to Notts Casuals 1sts.

Newark 1sts won by three tries to one in a triumph for opportunism and sharp finishing, defeating hosts Matlock 22-10 in Regional Two North Midlands.

It was also another afternoon to relish the speed out wide of Henry Allen and Ovi Gilder and the way the team have developed ways to move the ball in an effort to capitalise.

Allen struck twice, pouncing first by running onto a chip from Matt Walton after 11 minutes which was followed by a memorable moment when he outsprinted the Matlock cover for a second try seven minutes before half-time. His pace surprised the home defenders and the way he sped clear as kept himself ahead of his pursuers.

To cap an afternoon of youthful endeavour, teenage scrum-half Elliott Paley came on as a half-time substitute to record his third try in two appearances by dotting down from a ruck close to the line in a classic No.9 dummy and dive.

Fly-half George Leeson improved Allen’s second try and also converted Paley’s score as well. Matlock kicked a first-half penalty and gained a penalty try from fierce second-half pressure.

It made for a tense final quarter which was calmed when James Tarbatt, moved to centre to allow Paley an opportunity, added a penalty.

Newark’s victory saw them finish in a credible sixth place, having recorded 11 wins and a draw from 22 games.

Newark’s women’s team remain top of their league, five points clear of Lutterworth, thanks to an unbeaten run which stretches back to December and six games.

A 41-15 win over Hinckley included two tries from centre Paige Hancox plus one each by Ella Turlukowsky, Millie Cooper, Ioana Bedford and Keeley Maxwell. Next up is a trip to Market Bosworth on Sunday, April 20.

Newark 1sts play at West Bridgford this Saturday (kick-off 3pm) in the RFU Cup, the end-of-season tournament.

The match has been brought forward from April 26 following the decision by Southwell to cancel a friendly due to commitments in the Notts, Lincs and Derbys Cup competitions.