Match report: Berwick friendly

On what was billed to be a bright sunny day 20 + players and coaches arrived at sutherland park in dull and humid conditions and set off on a bus trip up for a friendly game away at Berwick. As always we had a few late arrivals and some suspect choices of attire on arrival, not to name any names but fines were noted. (Jack Callaghan and Stewart Wilson)

With a delayed kick off due to the ref having apparent "dog issues" Novos started off slowly in their second pre season friendly. Even though the grunt was competing with the Berwick pack at the breakdowns we were facing early pressure at the scrums with the forwards still trying to adapt to the new scrummaging laws. The back line was looking mobile with new faces playing together, however rustiness could be seen in certain phases as the cobwebs are still being blown off before the start of the season

Berwick's early pressure showed and with a poor bit of defence from a line out on the 5 the Berwick second row trundled over for a try. Conversion gained 7-0

With a fresh face introduced 15 mins in Novos seemed to gain a footing in the game, with more ball in hand we looked more dangerous, from some great pick and go movement from the pack quick ball led to a rewind and rich Harrison got the ball got played out wide and Jonny smith managed to break through a few defenders and score Novos first try. Shaun Stewart failing to get the conversion from a seemingly easy angle 7-5

The next 15 minutes were all Novos, managing to keep possession and play some well structured rugby and although we managed to get the ball over the Berwick line again the ball was held up. The next score went against the run of play with Berwick crossing the white line from a mistake from the Novos attack, with a dropped ball people seemed to stop and wait as the Berwick winger reacted first and kicked through to drop on the ball 14-5.

From another ball held up over the line Novos scrum led to the ball quickly being played wide and young winger Euan Binmore managing to break a couple of tackles and score in the corner. Conversion missed 14-10

With the half time team talk Novos started strong Shaun Stewart breaks through the Berwick line and offloads to Reidy to score. Shaun finally converting 14-17 Novos finally take the lead.

From that possession is fairly even with both teams trying new moves. Too many mistakes made but again can be put down to pre season rustiness. The Novos pack seemed to gain a foothold in the scrums and were starting to dominate! (I know shock) from that Novos pressed and possession turned to another try as Shaun picked and passed and quick hands from new flanker Cam Wilson led to a score in the corner from Reidy, got the conversion 24-14.

With around 15 minutes to go and from a rather strange crossing call from the referee Jonny smith came off injured and the ref awarded a penalty. From the resulting line out Berwick managed to push over and score a try. 19-22 (coincidence #getjonnybackonthepitch)

Gus Graham finally managed to get a spin on the pitch from a trundle down the left wing and with an awesome offload managed to get VC 1 over in the corner, he wants me to tell everyone that he boshed two players whilst scoring (unfortunately for Shaun the stand got in the way and the camera missed the grounding CONTENTIOUS ) and again he missed the conversion something tells me he may be spending a bit of time on Tuesday and Thursday having a go at the posts) 29-19

After that Novos seemed to gain confidence and put pressure on the Berwick line, with Berwick attempting to play with the ball in hand dan Bollado and Rich Harrison seemed to press the line and turnover with Bollado running in under the posts. However the play got called back and still unbeknown to us after watching the replay the try was disallowed.

Following this Berwick seemed to push on and from another mistake Rich Harrison giving away a penalty and the resulting line out saw another push over from the Berwick forwards. Final score 29-24.

After the match was finished the boys all stuck around and had a drink in the bar.... the boys made the most of the hospitality shown by the Berwick post game and all on to the bus as we all had a right good drink on the coach journey home. As well as the bottle challenge on the journey back special mention has to go to MOM Cam Wilson, "back of the day" Shaun and the three very worthy winners of Dick of The Day James bass (for some cracking ball handling) JP Addison (for his line out throw that was aptly described by the referee as "one of the worst throws" he's ever seen) and young Euan Binmore (for butchering a debut hat trick) all of them enjoying a solid game of three way Edward ciderhands. Cheers to all the new boys who had a go at the "new initiation" ( especially for new 2nd team captain Ben Melrose with his attempt at Bastilles "Pompeii" a Novos favourite) lets hope that the social environment can stay the same throughout the year as and when we face tougher tests of our abilities. Finally to Justin Taylor hope the heads feeling better matey.

Report by Homeboy Jonny Smith