With several players unavailable, Sleaford were again forced to reshuffle the team, which meant playing out of position for a number of the side.

Watched by a large crowd, it was the Red and Blacks of Sleaford who took the game to the home side. With Newark's pack unable to contain Sleaford's more muscular set of forwards, the home side soon began to concede penalties.

Sleaford opened the scoring early with a neatly taken lineout from Downing providing a solid platform from which prop Jude Chalmers crashed over. Collyer missed the conversion but extended Sleaford's lead a few moments later when his penalty sailed through the uprights.

Although in control of the game at this stage, the Red and Blacks committed the cardinal sin of relaxing and allowing Newark back into the game. Against the run of play Newark raced into a 13-8 lead which they kept until half time.

The interval gave Sleaford coach Nathan Smith chance to reshuffle his side and the introduction of youngsters Mackie, Rowbotham and Fisher certainly gave the team new energy. But, while the players were still adjusting to the changes, poor tackling again cost the visitors dear and Newark extended their lead still further early in the second half.

This certainly woke Sleaford up and for the remainder of the half both sides played with ambition and pace, producing a thoroughly entertaining game for the spectators.

Sleaford's pace was always a threat and they scored a try that will be remembered for a long time. The move began with second row Downing fielding the ball and setting off on a dazzling run and ended with Mackie racing in from 20 metres out to finish off a 90 metre effort that involved nearly the entire team. Mackie converted his own try.

But, try as they might, Sleaford could never regain the lead as Newark capitalised on poor defending to score their own superb try. Late efforts from Adamson and the versatile Hards, returning from injury, made the score respectable but the Red and Blacks know that better defence would have secured a deserved victory.

*Sleaford now have a week off before their County Cup final on Sunday, May 11, when they will face Scunthorpe at Kesteven RFC.