So it was a major achievement for the Newmarket forwards to dominate their more experienced opponents at the scrums and lineouts. Although not always as quick to pounce on the loose ball as they could have been, the pack scrapped well for possession and put Sudbury on the back foot with some powerful individual runs and support play.
On the rare occasions when the ball came wide the backs found life a little more difficult against their quick and powerful opposite numbers. Sudbury's full-back was very reliable under the high ball and their outside halves were quick to close down any Newmarket moves. But the real difference between the teams was Sudbury's outside centre. The No. 13 showed real touches of class to weave through Newmarket's defence and score four of their six tries.
The season may have started with a heavy defeat but, on this evidence, there will be quite a few teams over the next six months who will struggle against Newmarket's pace and power. For their all-action performance the man of the match award went to the entire Newmarket pack.
