Novos 36, Ballymoney 31

Ten sessions into pre season, time to step it up a notch. Ex-Novo's player, Andy Borthwick's arrived with his current side Ballymoney RFC for a friendly. A great squad had been assembled with club spirit on show as players from across the club were joined by a few new faces.
Squad : Goodman, Gus Antons (new), Stacey, Bird J, Igoe, Nugent S, Martin Fearon (new), Wright, Selkirk, Dodd, Wilkes, Melrose, Bird S, Safranek, Duncan A, Thomas, Whittaker, Ball, Dearden, Dias, Alistair Burgess (new), Ian Farrugia (new), Moloney, Kelly, and Jonathan Bulfin.

The pitch was in perfect condition and a great crowd witnessed a very entertaining game. The game was a typical pre season affair as attack dominated defence at times. Josh Wright scored our first try of the season with the extra's added by Jonno Wilkes. Ballymoney looked handy when the stretched the ball and were able to get round a narrow defensive line. They scored a fine try to take the score to 7-5 to Novos.

All game the flow went one way then the other. Novos next try came in the form of new flanker Martin Fearon it what would turn out to be a very impressive display from Martin. Ballymoney responded with a try of their own before Aedan Moloney powered through to score a try, converted by Richard Dodd.

We then got a grip on proceedings as we scored a couple of quick tries via Moloney and Brendan Thomas, one of which was converted by Dodd. However, the tourists came again and scored a few themselves. With the game on the line Moloney broke through to finish with a hat-trick, converted by Dodd. The last say was left to the visitors who scored a great try to make the final score 36-31.

A very entertaining match where the attack was probably better than the defence.

Thanks to the Ballymoney lads who I am sure went on to have a great time in the toon over the weekend. I was very impressed by a couple of their players. In addition, they seemed to have a good understanding of their patterns of play so early in the season. We wish them well for the season ahead.

Thanks to Graham Crozier for taking charge of the match and we were very lucky to have such a good ref available at this time of the season.

Cheers to all the club officials who were involved in getting the game on - pitch done, admin done, bar staffed, food ordered. There was a lot done last minute to get the game played in July !

Some great signs for the club in terms of depth. The match was really beneficial to our club spirit as we saw regular first teamers playing alongside 2's and 3's players and a few new lads. No cliques, no drama at Novos, just 25 lads all putting on the club shirt and having a run around - great scenes.

I was very impressed with our attitude and environment on the night, Ben Melrose did a great job leading the side whilst I had a few quiets with the crowd ! Some impressive displays from new lads, Gus Antons, Martin Fearon and Alistair Burgess. In addition, I was delighted to see third team regulars Ollie Dearden and Christian Selkirk step up against what was basically ballymoney's first team squad.

Next week we have the Rugby Fest at Druids Park with Vets on Friday, mens and ladies sevens on Saturday and a club day on Sunday. Should be great craic so get down and either play and/or drink the weekend away.

On the 13th August we have an inter club game involving our new lads and the 3's and 4's squads.

The 20th August sees our first team squad play a friendly against Sunderland before playing our senior cup match against Morpeth on Thursday the 25th.

Lots on !