Late penalty secures impressive away win for Swaffham RUFC at Newmarket

High-flying Newmarket's 100pc home record was ended by Swaffham, thanks to a late penalty securing an excellent 25-23 victory.

The home side, second in the EC1 table, went 5-0 up early through their forwards. Swaffham then failed to take advantage of good opportunities and Newmarket kicked a penalty shortly before the break for an 8-0 lead at half-time.

The visitors got back into the game in the second half though, when a strong drive by 13 Swaffham players from a lineout saw Marc Lockwood score.

A trademark running try from Jordan Mustard then put Swaffham in the lead for the first time but Newmarket replied moments later with a try of their own to regain the lead.

Swaffham came back and an interception led to an 80-metre sprint by winger Tommi Windibank for a try, with the conversion added by Stu Hamilton to give the visitors a four-point lead.

The lead continued to change hands, with Newmarket scoring another before Ed Jones chipped through and showed great pace to beat his opposite number to the line to score a great try.

With five minutes left Newmarket looked to have won the game when they scored their fourth try following a number of phases close to the Swaffham line.

But with two minutes to go Swaffham were awarded a penalty close to the Newmarket line and replacement Joe Milligan, who had only been on the field a couple of minutes, calmly stroked the ball over to give Swaffham the 25-23 victory.