In recent history the club has had a real focus on improving the youth set up. If you are able to stagger down to the club on a Sunday you will see a thriving junior section of our club. Run by a core group of hard working volunteers (Mams and Dads) you can see enjoyment and success across the board at our club.

It has been very noticeable in the past two seasons that the improved quality of coaching our players are receiving is bringing players through. Last season we saw the emergence of Steve Nugent, Angus Duncan, Sam Bird, Peter Kay and this season we have already had first team debuts from Will Doyle, Lewis Chater, Rory Davidson and Nick Byrne. Several of these boys are off to university soon and we wish them well and hope that they continue to play for us when they are back in town.

Yesterday also saw first team debuts for Mike Stowe (ex Darlington) and Carl Parkinson (ex Morpeth)

The lads took to the field and got going straight away edging the scrum battle and Richard Dodd controlling field position well. In our first attack in the opposition half the ball was fed out to Johnny Ward who raced around several defenders to score, converted by Dodd.

The match was marred by mistakes throughout the match by both teams. Least the forwards got loads of live scrum practice !

About 12 mins in the forwards had us getting across the gain line and the ball was fed to the backs. Dodd executed the traditional DSM and with a perfectly weighted pass (yes Doddsy I have said it again) hit new lad Carl Parkinson in a huge gap, Parkinson rounded the opposition fullback to score under the posts. I then made the mistake of making the score 14-0 on my scrap of paper. Only to be told Dodd missed the kick from in front ! Oops, Novos up 12-0.

Sunderland had turned up with 30 lads and battled throughout the match. I was very impressed with their 7 and 15. It was no surprise that the got back into the game and scored a fine try to make it 12-5 at half time.

There were a lot of changes from both sides which perhaps contributed to the amount of mistakes during the game. Both sides enjoyed some fine moments and Novos were the next to score, again via Ward which was converted this time by Dodd. Novos up 19-5.

At the 60 min mark we would normally see Sunderland tire but their large squad prevented this as they played right to the 80th min. They scored the final try making the score 19-12 in a competitive but not very entertaining match.

Thanks to the ref, Andy Scott. Thought he was a cut above what we normally get as he saw the little things that perhaps refs at our level would miss. Enjoyed having a chat with him after the game as well.

Loads of positives for us despite the game not exactly being a festival of running rugby.
- when we had our best scrum on the field we edged it against a side we have struggled against up front.
- several of our players got to play 60 min plus
- Carl Parkinson scored on debut
- two more Colts made their debuts
- Aedan Moloney continued to impress in only his 2nd game for the club
- the environment continues to be very positive with the players really enjoying putting on the jersey.

This week we have a contact session on Monday (Wallets and Towels for a beer afterwards please) then some match prep on Thursday. Saturday sees us play our first competitive fixture in a cup match vs North Shields. Selection will be difficult this week with the possible availability of Ben Merrett, Cillian O'Shaughnessy, Andrew Steinberg, Andrew Maxwell, Josh Stacey, Jez Nash, Harry Clark, Luke Mitchell and Lewis Chater.

Hope you enjoyed your beers last night lads - well deserved as we remain unbeaten in pre season !