Old Northamptonians moved up to third in Midlands One East with a comfortable 40-7 victory over Newark at Billing Road.
Newark had an early chance when the ONs were penalised from the kick-off but the attempt was wide and after just six minutes the ONs took the lead.
Newark possession was turned over on half way and Sam Howes went 50 metres to touch down.
Alex Rose converted to take his season’s league tally to 200 points.
The advantage was extended as the first quarter ended when Jake Spencer caught a Newark clearance before making ground up the left touchline and after he was stopped the ball was quickly moved across field for Richard Blank to finish in the right corner.
Newark missed a second penalty attempt and just before half-time the ONs had to defend a series of driving mauls but when they were again penalised and the ball was put into touch, the lineout was won by the home side and the danger cleared.
A yellow card shortly after the interval reduced the visitors to 14 and after Rose pushed the resultant penalty wide, Matt Mills won possession, one of several turnovers he executed during the game, Matt Love was tackled just short and Jack Bradbury was on hand to burrow over for the first of three ONs tries in a dominant 10-minute spell.
Rose was next over, weaving his way through from 30 metres after Ash Fullthorpe, Tom Holliday, Howes and Spencer had made the initial inroads and within a minute of coming off the bench.
Dan Napier showed power and pace to score the fifth.
Newark second-row Jon Evans ploughed over from short range and Matt Cox converted to reduce the deficit after Chris McKee had been sin-binned.
But on his return he finished off another concerted ONs attack as precision passing and off-loading splintered the Newark defence.Rose converted, as he had the previous three ONs second-half tries.
Scouts are no match for brilliant Buzzard
Old Scouts proved no match for a classy Leighton Buzzard side who eased to a 52-23 victory at Rushmere Road.
Scouts looked bemused as the game kicked off with a rare appearance of sun in their eyes, and allowed the kick-off to bounce. The visitors pounced on the loose ball and immediately set up a try-scoring attack with barely 30 seconds on the clock.
Ten minutes later promotion-chasing Buzzard were on the attack again and missed tackles saw them touch down and with the conversion sailing over they already had a 12-point lead.
Scouts did manage to quell further attacks with some ferocious tackling and eventually started to get a grip on their own game.
Three penalties from the boot of stand-off Adam Frost in as many minutes put some points on the board and, although Buzzard scored another converted try, Scouts hit back straight from the kick-off when Iain Simmons raced over and Frost converted from the touchline.
With the score after half an hour only 19-16 in favour of the visitors it looked like it was going to be a close-fought encounter.
However, as they are attempting to bounce back up a league at the first attempt, Buzzard had different ideas. A seven-pointer just prior to the break set them on their way to a comfortable win and they cruised through the second half, adding four more tries.
Scouts did get a consolation midway through the half when prop Maurice Bazini burrowed over and Frost converted.
Good Evans can’t stop St Andrews
Sam Evans’ second-half score was not enough for spirited Long Buckby as they suffered a 32-16 defeat to St Andrews last weekend.
Second-row Evans gave the home side hope when he crashed over at the start of the second half, but St Andrews eventually proved too strong.
The away team defied a sin-binning to claim a victory that owed much to what was a very powerful start to proceedings.
Jonny Palmer continued to keep Buckby in the game with his boot, kicking three penalties and converting Evans’ try.
But St Andrews made their way over for a late score to put a gloss on the result.
Frost seals Scouts’ place in semi-final
Old Scouts secured their place in the semi-finals of the Lewis Shield with a 24-22 win against ONs at Billing Road on Tuesday night.
A late try and conversion from Adam Frost settled a closely-fought contest.
Scouts’ other tries came from Maurice Bazini and Richard Bussey. Frost converted both and also kicked a penalty.
Owen at double to down Bugbrooke
Bugbrooke went down 22-19 in their Midlands Two East (South) rearranged game with Harborough.
Tries from Chris Owen (2), Jack Johnston, Michael Goode and a Callum Blair conversion saw Harborough home.