After a winning performance last week over Percy Park, Novos 2nd XV looked to get their second league win of the season under the belt traveling up to Morpeth. Due to a vast unavailability of players and the GNR, It was great to see the commitment from several 3’s and 4’s players stepping up to second team rugby as well as the introduction to 3 new Novos members.

Squad: Milton (C), Shuttleworth, Thompson, Leveret, Bird, Macdonald, Nugent, Smith, Addison, Mitchell, Hopkins, Rowntree, Wilson, Spencer, Wollerton. Subs: Charlton, Histed, Pease, Brown, Duncan, Silk.

Arriving with plenty to time before Kick-off, Milton lead a strong and focused warm up. With a new centre combination of Debut Sam Rowntree and Nick Wilson, and First second team start for winger Cam Spencer, the players linked up well and executed backs set moves perfectly in practise.

With a pre-game chat focusing on hitting them low and making sure we have support before we play the ball, it was time for Luke Mitchell to get the game going.

10 minutes into the game and the penalty count against Novos was already in the double digits. This allowed Morpeth to unleash their backs to score the first points of the game, 7-0. And unfortunately this was the story for most of the game.

Another great run down the touch line from Morpeth was stopped in their tracks with an excellent try saving tackle from new guy Ben Wollerton playing 15 who put in a very hard shift making tackle after tackle. Following an injury to new Hooker Dan Shuttleworth. Novos conceded another 7 points, after the backs line speed in defence backfired as a gap opened up for their 13 to run through. 14-0.

From the next kick off Morpeth retained procession well until a kick deep into our half was taken well under pressure from Wollerton, allowing him to open the taps and make a break through their line. Several strong carry’s from the forwards and good support play was eventually ended with lost ball at the breakdown. Novos showing great promise and determination, running hard and straight.

Morpeth unfortunately for us had even better support play. With what seemed to be a man outside the ball carrier at every tackle. Another big hit from Wallerton wasn’t enough as a pop pass from the tackle left Morpeth 21-0 up.

Although Morpeth had most of the procession in the first 20 minutes It was time for Novos to fight back. Our Defence drifted well and a hard hit from Cameron Spencer resulted in a Knock-on which Novos took full advantage off. A strong scrum from our out-weighted pack let us string a few phases together. With strong carries from Jonny Bird, a penalty was awarded our way. A Quick tap passed onto new boy Sam Rowntee at 12, made our most promising break of the day. Breaking past 5 defenders we made hard yards. Unfortunately the ball was knocked on several phases in and Morpeth counter attached hard down the wing. Another try. 28-0

Strong words from Milton to motivate the troops, making sure players keep their heads of and carry on with determination.

Another promising play for Novos as Jonny bird made several tackles for the ball to be turned over in our favour. Sam and Nick linked up well in the centres. However, a well drilled Morpeth side where quick to every breakdown. Competing and winning ball.

An area that Novos outperformed the strong Morpeth side where the lines out. Competing with 2 jumpers. Novos stole ball after ball. With Adam MacDonald linking up well with JP to get the ball off the top of the lineout quickly. After winning the next line out, what followed was a moment of madness from JP. Standing in the sun all day, JP thought it must have been half time by his own watch and decided to kick the ball out. Only for the ref to say 2 minutes still to play. Just enough time for Morpeth to run in another try straight though the middle just before half time. 35-0.

Half time talk focused on line speed and ensure we all push together to ensure no gaps open up. With Morpeth having 80% of the procession in the first half it was hard to focus on anything other than our defence.

The second half started really well for Novos. With Number 8, Smith, making a big tackle from the restart. Rowntree scoops up the loose ball and links up perfectly with the back three. Making an off load to Wollerton and then to Hopkins on the wing. Several line outs and scrums later (the main story from the day) saw Novos on the attack. Picking up the intensity, Ben Wollerton sees a gap behind their winger and puts a well-executed grubber kick down the line for Spencer to run onto. Ball makes touch. Great idea from the newest Novos member.

The next 10 minutes showed great defensive skills from the Novos Boys. Morpeth ran hard into our 22 however couldn’t seem to break past our defences line. With Novos making 2 man tackles and leaving the rucks to keep numbers out wide. After a great show of composure and technique. Morpeth found a tiny gap and made a break for the line. 42-0.

Now, if I’m honest, the last 30 minutes merged into a blur. With Morpeth breaking the line and off-loading out of the tackle, a further 6 try’s where made. Final Score 82-0.

Although the score-line does not reflect it. The Novos team showed a lot of promise and determination. The forwards all carried the ball hard into contact, and competed every line-out and winning with ease. With Euan Duncan competing hard at the break downs, Jonny Pease looking up and commanding the forwards, and Jonny bird and Milton showing great leadership as the more experienced members of the team. Unfortunately, the out weighted pack lost the scrum game. The Backs also looked very promising. With great debut runs for the our new Centre and Full back. Both wingers looked for space and cut back inside and JP and Luke managed to control the game well to suit us when we had procession.

Morpeth where a very well drilled and practised team and that showed on game day. We wish you the best of luck in your League campaign and look forward to the return fixture.