Record Breaking, Bicep Popping Victory

The squad ran out unchanged from selection (great scenes !) and included competitive debuts for Cillian O'Shaughnessy (ex Northern) Lewis Chater (Novos Colt) Aedan Moloney (ex Boro) Carl Parkinson (ex Morpeth) and Rob Murphy (ex Sunderland)

The match could not have started any better for Novos as Chater kicked a high restart which was gathered by wing Sam Busby. I lost count of the defenders Sam beat by at a guess I reckon it was eight ! He went over in the corner after what must have been 10-12 seconds ! Anyone know if this is a club record ? Novos 5-0.

North Shields looked a decent outfit and responded within mins after Novos conceded three pens in a row. Conversion added for Nth Shields to hit the lead 7-5.

Novos scrum was destroying the Nth Shields at every put in and Chris Ward was having a field day in the lineout. This allowed Novos to gain a lot of possession. From an excellent attack Novos played the ball twice the same way and then reversed play to put in Johnny Ward. Great team try with everyone doing there jobs. Novos up 10-7.

We have not seen North Shields for a year or two and their flyhalf made the mistake of kicking some ball away. Sam Busby took one ball at pace leaving his opposite number standing in quicksand. Novos extending their lead to 15-7.

The team were sticking to the game plan and lifted the tempo with a succession of quickly taken penalties. Their speed of play led to an overlap for Jez Nash to score. Novos out to 20-7.

North Shields looked like they had a couple of league players and some direct rugby was reaping some reward. After gaining territory from some penalties their centre was able to crash over to make the half time score 20-14. Game on.

Chat at half time simply reminding the lads to keep the tempo high, enjoy the game and show the things that we have worked on in training.

We started the second half flying as we attacked 5m out from Nth Shields try line. After several scrum infringements the ref had no choice put to award Novos dominate scrum a penalty try, converted by Lewis Chater. Novos pulling away 27-14.

The days only negative occurred early in the second half as Stewart Wilson popped his bicep (6 months on the sideline is the latest prognosis)

Despite the injury our early score seemed to take the wind out of Nth Shields as breaks were now regularly occurring via strong carrying up front and some incisive runs from Chater, Nash, Moloney and Ward J. Some intricate passing saw second rower Josh Igoe break the line. Two backs turned to chase only to see Josh recreate his try against Gateshead as his long stride carried him 50m to the line ! Novos flying at 32-14.

With the result decided the game then started to lose a bit of its flow as some verbals began and the odd cheap shot. The ref did well to keep control and this allowed everyone to remain on the pitch.

All our subs were on after 50 mins and each one added to the game with fresh legs and desire to keep turning the screw. Andrew Maxwell was on at nine and lifted the tempo even higher, 2-3 quick taps and the ball was given to Aedan Moloney in space, gone. Try converted by Shaun Stewart to make it 39-14.

Nth Shields never gave up all day and despite the score line had a spell in our 22m. Unfortunately, their efforts went unrewarded after a scrum turnover 5m from our line.

Novos had the last say via a try from Nash, converted by Stewart. Then Stewart himself scored with the final play only to get two knees in the back for his trouble. The lad motioned to apologise and Shaun went to be the bigger man only for the Nth Shields flyhalf to run in from 20m away and have his say. Try converted for a final score of 53-14, 33 unanswered points in the 2nd half.

The match was well reffed by Peet Daniels and there were no real issues with his decision making from either team. Cheers Peet.

I think North Shields are better than the score line suggests as the match was pretty competitive in many areas. Novos edged the day due to the power of their set piece play and a difference in pace out wide. I see no reason why our opponents cant do well in the league below if they can improve their intensity and speed of play.

Some real positives for us as our new additions continue to show much promise. All this was achieved despite the unavailability of Westgarth, Spoor, Wallace, Forbes and Hazell ! Aedan Moloney won the debut run beating Carl Parkinson and Lewis Chater on the back of a two pint strategy.

Next week we start our league campaign at home to Darlington. Unavailable - Merrett, Wilson, Murphy and Mitchell. However, to negate this Richard Dodd and English Students Prop, Alex Westgarth (ex Tynedale, will we see a Yard Card played for his debut run ?!) should be involved in the match day squad. Our seconds and thirds play away to Blaydon and Rockcliff respectively. So all players on deck please as the season starts in earnest.

No training on Monday as its Bank Holiday Boozing. See everyone on Thursday for match prep.