As coach, I would like to thank all the players who made the effort to be available to represent Novos on an Easter Saturday. It was never easy to put a side out on such a day, never mind the fact that Gav and Jan's wedding also took place. However, the lads that put on the shirt did the club proud and no one can say we didn't give it our best.

Congrats to Ponteland who I thought had an excellent flanker, scrum half and centre. In a relatively tight affair, these three players were perhaps the difference between the two sides. Especially the scrum half who is a top lad, set up most of Ponteland's play and kicked the goals that in the end won them the game.

The game itself was tight from the outset but we edged ahead via a Richard Dodd penalty. Novos 3-0.

Ponteland, who played with the confidence of a side who had only lost once all season then had a spell of pressure. We soaked it up and turned the ball over near our line. As happens on occasions, we then switched off at scrum time and conceded a tight head which led to a converted try to Ponteland. 3-7.

From the kick off we were again inside our 22m. This time their centre crashed over after a missed tackle. Bit soft but Ponteland deservedly ahead 3-14.

Novos were not going to give up the cup that easy however as our backs started to get into the game on the back of some fine forward play. During the next 20 mins we dominated the game leading into half time. First of all Josh Stacey went over after a beautifully executed rolling maul. Then Dodd put up a huge up n under which was taken bravely by Johnny Ward, off load out of the tackle to speedster Sam Busby for a great try. With the score 13-14 Novos grabbed the last try of the half as Dan Bollado put in Ward for a fantastic try from a move from the back of a solid scrum. Ponteland were able to respond with another penalty to make the half time score 18-17 to Novos.

The second half was all one way traffic as Novos appeared to lose their discipline when under pressure from Ponteland. Our opponents found it far too easy to kick penalty's into touch and advance down the field without much effort. A large penalty count against us led to possession drying up. Whilst Ponteland were on the front foot Pete Twentyman was yellow carded and our opponents capitalised with a penalty, penalty try and another try to push the score out to 18-29.

Novos responded, not wanting to go down without a fight as Joe Ball smashed over after great forward play near to the Ponteland try line. Ponteland up 29-23 - game on.

It was not to be however as Ponteland were awarded several penalty's in the last few mins. Despite turning down a few, taking lineouts instead, they final made the correct decision and kicked a penalty to make us need two scores in the last three mins.

The whistle went and we hadn't done enough. No one can say my coaching is not consistent as this was my six cup final loss in six attempts ! In my defence I will say that I have won two County Championships but gutted to miss out once again on County Cup glory !

Thanks to Finlay and his team of three for officiating the final on a day when they could easily have been doing something with their families. Instead they gave up their time to ensure the cup final went ahead.

So we lost, let's remember however how far we have come. This time last season we were doomed to relegation but for heroic performances against City, Darlington and Consett leading to the Great Escape. This season we have been relatively safe for months allowing us to play colts in the final months. Lads such as Peter Kay, Sam Bird, Angus Duncan will have benefitted from the exposure to senior rugby. We have just played our second final in three seasons at first team level and have consolidated our league position, as requested of the players at our pre season meeting. Whilst we are perhaps lacking depth in a couple of positions I am adamant that with hard work at training, a season without a horrific injury list, better availability from key players and a desire to do everything we can for the club on and off the field, will see us progress into mid table next season.

Two weeks till the end of the season. Hopefully, when we sit down for a pint in the off season we will be discussing the 2nd's double cup triumph, the 3's league and cup double and the fact that the 1's have had a positive season compared to just managing to avoid relegation last year !