Newark Colts provide hope as first team lose against Long Eaton on the road

A second-half hat-trick from scrum-half James Tarbatt helped a young Newark 1st team grab a try bonus point from a tough night at promotion contenders Long Eaton in a match that ended 48-22 to the hosts.

Overwhelmed at times up front, Newark were tenacious throughout to score four tries against a powerful home team who led from the start to post eight tries.

Besides the tries from Tarbatt plus one from captain Will Britten, Newark’s travelling supporters appreciated a number of individual efforts led by flanker Sean Denning.

Other positive points were the sight of three newcomers from the colts squad in Euan Fern, Noah Marshall and Joshie Waqalevu, son of Buddha.

Long Eaton controlled the match from the start to score two quick tries before Britten finished off on the right from an attack led by a break from wing Tommy Williams.

Newark wilted either side of half-time amid three yellow cards as Long Eaton built a lead of 31-5.

The best parts of the match for Newark came in the final half hour in which Tarbatt supported breaks by wing Ovi Gilder and Denning to score twice in between one dart from close range.

Fly half George Leeson added a conversion.

Newark’s first team squad now have the weekend off before facing a trip to Walsall on Saturday week (March 16).

The Newark Colts reached the semi-finals of the Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire Cup as they defeated Nottingham Corsairs 19-14 in their quarter-final.

Southwell 1sts lost 54-12 against Lincoln on the weekend.

The 2nds also went down as they suffered a close 28-24 defeat against Nottinghamians.

The Southwell Bandits, the club’s 3rd side agonisingly went down by a single point to Mansfield 3rds.