this weekend's local sports events

The showpiece running event of the weekend is the Midland Counties Cross Country Association 2026 Championships being held at Mallory Park, Leicestershire. The under 13 girls start the meeting at 11.00 with the last race being the senior men at 3.00pm. It could be a very muddy days running.

For those not going to Mallory Newark Parkrun marks the start of the weekend's running events but for anyone fancying a change there is a choice between the Tissington Half Marathon and the Clumber Lakeside trail run. Both events cover Saturday and Sunday so you could even do both.

In football Newark Town return to the YMCA one week after their epic comeback against Grantham as they host Skegness Town. The "seasiders" have slipped out of the play-offs following a run of no victories from their last four matches while Newark have an eight-point safety cushion in the play-off race. Following this weekend's game Newark have eleven matches left but importantly eight of those are away from home including trips to Sherwood Colliery and Grantham Town making three points vital from this match.

Following two defeats in the last seven days Newark & Sherwood have not only slipped back into the relegation zone they have almost exhausted their games in hand over the teams around them. This weekend see's them on their travels for the fourth time in their last five matches, the first four did not return a point but a vastly improved midweek performance will hopefully inspire them at mid-table Gresley Rovers.

Elsewhere Southwell City entertain high-flying Stapleford while tonight see's a Notts Senior League derby under the Station Road lights between Collingham and Aslockton & Orston.

Newark Rugby Club have a week off while Southwell travel to Mapperley Plains and a match-up with a Mellish side that are hovering above the Midlands East Division One relegation zone.

A single Stephen Littlewood goal earned Newark Hockey Club maximum points from last weekend's trip to Burton, this week they are on the road again with a trip to a mid-table Mansfield side who sit five points above our locals.

The hockey club ladies came from two down to salvage a point at Belper last week and they are back in Derbyshire again this week with a match at Matlock Baileans. Tip-off is 10.00 am, looks like a long day for our ladies.

 Whatever you doing enjoy it and don't forget to send us a photo.