Novos New Boys Shine

Novos with three players on debut secured their first home win of the season, 31-3. A great team performance, added to by the new boys Sean Ramsay, Josh Igoe and Scott Elliott contributing in their first run out.

These new faces have been added after the club lost Steve Neill and Jack Spoor to Druid Park injuries and Jonny Smith is off travelling.

First of all, thanks goes out to everyone who contributed in getting this game played. The groundstaff worked hard to get this game on, contributions coming from many others armed with garden forks !

Novos were playing with a strong wind behind them in the first half against a Bishop Auckland side struck by unavailability.

Novos first attack into the opponents 22m was rewarded with a Rich Harrison kick to the corner, which speedster Ben Forbes raced onto and dotted down in the corner. Sideline conversion added by Shaun Stewart. Novos 7-0

Bishop Auckland responded as expected and put pressure on Novos line. Some surges towards the line were repelled by strong defence. However, a penalty conceded in front of the posts was put over by Tim Tombling. Novos 7-3

Heading toward the break with only a four point led was a worry. However, the lead was extended when Novos made only their third visit to the opposition 22m. This time a grubber thru from Dan Bollado was pounced on by Jonny Ward, sideline conversion again to Stewart. Novos 14-3 at half time.

Some words from the coaches that it will be easier to play into the wind, two changes as Michael Baker came on to give us a target in midfield and Josh Igoe onto the flank.

During the second half, Bishop Auckland eventually tired. Allowing Novos to control possession and territory despite playing into the wind.

The third try was scored after sustained pressure in the 22m. Backs carrying into the middle, then keep ball from the forwards. With possession under control Scott Elliott made a dart around the fringes exposing one of their slow fellas. Conversion added by Elliott, Novos 21-3.

Novos were now on the bonus point hunt.

It arrived after a great break out of their own territory. Backs and forwards combining to send Pete Twentyman in untouched. Novos 26-3.

However, the best was still to come. Bishop Auckland were on attack in our 22m, ball turned over at ruck time and Novos decided to run from their own 22m. Some great off loads led to a break by Jan Safranek, a great offload to Jez Nash who left the covering defenders behind to score a great counter attacking try. Novos 31-3.

The game was well whistled by Tony Parlett.

The day got even better when we heard that the 2's had won 46-0, with more new boys Richard Dodds and Ieuan Evans amongst the try scorers.

So we head to Stockton next week with confidence, a few new faces about at training, Ben Merrett set to return from New Zealand and a lot of players available that were not for this match.

A win against the odds at Stockton would put us within a result of climbing out of the bottom three.