Lights Shine On Novos

The seniors men played their first match under the new lights at Sutherland Park against a spirited Rockcliff side. A final against Ponteland awaited the winner, unfortunately once again it is on Easter Saturday.

The squad looked stronger than of late as we saw the return of Ben Merrett, Jez Nash and Aedan Moloney from long term injury. It was great to see their enthusiasm for the shirt spread across the side once again.

We controlled field position early on from the boot of Richard Dodd. Deep in Rockcliffs 22 Alex Littlefair was able to turn the ball over. This eventually led to Josh Stacey crashing over for an unconverted try. Novos up 5-0.

Rockcliff showed they weren't going to be a soft touch and responded well creating pressure in our 22m. They were awarded a penalty after some sustained pressure and kicked the goal to make it 5-3 Novos.

It was a pretty competitive affair up front put at times Novos were able to lift the tempo and really trouble Rockcliff with the pace of the game. Shaun Stewart was like a man possessed in the early exchanges and went over from a quick tap which caught our opponents napping. Then we hit them again with more high tempo rugby as we took a quick lineout and scorched 70m to score via Jez Nash. Novos up 15-3 with half time approaching.

There was time for Angus Duncan to add to the score line, conversion added by Dodd to make the half time score 22-3.

The second half started the way the first ended with Novos playing a high tempo. The Novos back were able to get round the Rockcliff backs on occasions and fullback Carl Parkinson got his name on the score sheet, again converted by Dodd. Novos up 29-3.

Then came my favourite try of the match. Rockcliff had made a clean line break but were stopped metres short of our line. Jez Nash turned the ball over in contact and the sprinted of up field in an almost total state of exhaustion. Some great inter play then saw young Johnno Wilkes run the ball in to stretch the game to 34-3.

Rockcliff never gave up and were starting to make some line breaks as the game become very open. They could perhaps have scored a try or two already but their fine play was eventually rewarded with a converted try. Novos 34-10 up.

The game then became a bit to me, to you as the sides exchanged tries. Carl Parkinson went in for his second, converted by Wilkes (41-10) Then Rockcliff scored a good try (41-15) but back come Novos with tries of their own in the way of Jez Nash and Aedan Moloney, all converted by Wilkes to make the final score 55-15.

A pretty good game watched by some of our juniors and ladies team who trained before hand. In addition, there was a great turn out from Rockcliff who contributed a lot to an entertaining evening with some great side line banter.

Thank you to Mick, Fraser and Greg for taking charge of the game. Thought they did a great job although the game was played in great spirit throughout by both sides, which made it easy for them to manage.

Our lads, great to get our first win of the new season. Like I said afterwards, lets just keep quietly improving the player group. Enjoy each others company over a few beers and keep enjoying our rugby.

Big game to look forward to on Easter Saturday against Ponteland. I think I will ban myself from attending given my 0-6 record and spend Easter with the family !!