MATLOCK saved their best until last, defeating the newly crowned Notts, Lincs and Derbys champions Newark and meeting the twin league objectives of finishing outside the bottom three and above arch-rivals Derby.

All that remains now is to retain the Derbyshire Cup at the expense of Ashbourne at Derby this Sunday.

Both sides were determined to end their league campaigns on a high.

The first five minutes were all Matlock as they tore in to the opposition from the kick off.

But Newark began to put together some powerful running and excellent support play and it was no surprise when the impressive Newark number eight crashed over from close range after a scrum.

The conversion was added and Newark led 7-0.

Newark continued to have the upper hand throughout most of the first half but Matlock's famed defence held firm.

Five minutes before the break they were rewarded when a wonderful flowing move involving full-back Alex Powell, winger Chris Buckley and flanker Mark Rollinson ended with the visitors' own hugely influential number eight Mike Brookes on hand to take the final pass and score the try.

Fly-half David Hartley, again in good kicking form, secured the extras and Matlock went in to the break level at 7-7.

The second half began with Matlock immediately back on the attack with both skipper David Ball and Brookes making strong runs at the Newark defence.

The experienced Chris Mease entered the fray from the replacements bench and had an immediate impact as Matlock camped in the Newark 22.

Matlock were unlucky when another flowing move involving centres Nick Coombes and Dan Hooton and Hartley was halted just short of the try line after a rare error.

But they were not to be denied as, shortly afterwards, Hooton fielded a clearance kick, made good ground and handed on to Hartley who found left-winger Ben Neville in support and he scythed over in the corner to score.

Hartley was again successful with the conversion and Matlock led 14-7.

Newark responded immediately with some sustained pressure and their flanker crashed over to score an unconverted try, generously awarded after the scorer took an obvious forward pass.

Newark continued to attack Matlock with a varied game which tested the Matlock defence.

Buckley was called on to put in a try-saving tackle and the large band of travelling supporters began to sense a famous victory.

Hartley began to use the wind well with some long raking kicks to pin Newark down and Neville and Hooton made some telling insertions before Hartley coolly dropped a goal to extend the lead to 17-12.

Newark now went all out for the killer score and Matlock came under the most intense pressure of the entire game.