With exactly half the season over, the wait for the first victory continues.

The win took Melton Mowbray to the top of the table while sending Newark to the foot.

In common with most games across the country , the weather conditions were horrendous with a gale force wind blowing directly across the Kelham Road pitch.

Nevertheless, both teams tried to run the ball early in the game and there was some impressive handling even as the wind grew in strength.

The 2nds actually took the lead when a line out and well-worked rolling maul ended with a try for prop Sam Cobb. In fact our line out functioned well throughout the game with hooker Ian Tomlinson defying the conditions to unerringly hit his jumpers. We also competed well in the scrum.

when , after a series of short drives, Melton flung the ball out to cross near the posts. The conversion gave them a two point lead.

As so often, we were the authors of our own misfortune. A Newark move broke down and Melton quickly counter attacked to add their second. They went 12 points ahead when their impressive number eight picked up from scrum and broke through several tackles to score.

Newark had the chance to peg them back close to half time but the visitors managed to stifle a rolling maul which looked set to end with another try.

The second half began disastrously with the Melton number eight galloping from deep in his own half to score.

However Newark fought back and spent much of the second half in Melton territory but were unable to convert that territorial advantage into.points.

Annoyingly, Melton added their fifth try with seconds remaining when their winger broke free down the left touchline to score under the posts.

It was another frustrating day for Newark. We had plenty of opportunities to score from close range in the second half but were unable to capitalise on the possession

On a more positive joke, it was great to welcome back stalwart second row Akash Bagga after a long absence through injury.