Southwell completed the league double over Newark with a 25-17 victory in a game which saw six yellow cards and one red in a competitive game at Park Lane which was played at Southwell in front of a 500+ crowd for the Midlands Two East (North) fixture.

Southwell hosted a pre match meal event for 250 guests including over 30 Southwell Vice Presidents and supporters from Newark in a VIP Marquee supplied by Buster Marquees, where the guest speaker was Ian Costello, Head Coach of Nottingham Rugby.

Southwell Captain George Machin lead an injury hit but still strong Southwell side, while Newark Captain Tom Coen and centre Chaz Dixon returned to the Newark team.

Southwell took the lead when fly-half Paul Rich scored a penalty from close-range after his first attempt hit the upright.

Newark’s fly-half Matt Law was sent to the sin bin following a tackle, joined later in the half by his team-mate Arran Riley and Southwell’s Musgrove.

Poor kicking meant that there were no further scores before half-time.

At the start of the second half, Southwell’s George Machin secured a turnover which allowed Drew Sherwood to gallop to the line. Rich added the conversion.

Newark responded well but Billy Charles was denied a try by a last-ditch Barber tackle. However, moments later the visitors’ pack drove forward and Ed Poulson scored. Law converted.

Hart then scored his second try for the hosts, converted by Rich, before another Southwell player was sent to the sin bin. Law scored a penalty to reduce the deficit.

The hosts suffered a blow when Rich scored another penalty before Southwell lost another player to the sin bin.

Southwell’s Musgrove was then shown a red card for his second yellow card offence, after slowing the ball.

However, Hart then scored his second to dash any Newark hopes of a comeback. Rich hit the upright with his attempted conversion.

The visitors were rewarded for a sustained period of pressure when Alex Scott scored under the posts, a try converted by Law, but Southwell held on for the victory and maintained 3rd Place in the League just 1 point behind 2nd place Ashbourne.
Newark have dropped to 7th place.

The majority of the crowd went home happy and a local landlord described the atmosphere in the town as "buzzing" on Saturday night.