Sutherland Park was looking resplendent on a warm, sunny and slightly gusty August afternoon. Novos had a large squad, with plenty making their 1st team debuts; some from the Colts, some from Dame Allan's and a couple from the pre-season transfer window.

Lewis Chater kicked the game off with a high searching ball, this was secured by open side flanker, Dan Whitaker. Play moved from left to right as Busby looked to accelerate in for a try (unfortunately, Busby took a knock on the 5 yard line and would play no further part). Novos kept the ball alive, not allowing Ryton the slightest sniff of touching the ball, moving the play back left allowing Whitaker to score in the corner. It was a shame the game wasn't commentated on, as even Stuart Barnes would have been able to regale the fact that Danny Whitaker had finished the try he had started less than a minute earlier.

Unfortunately, my memory becomes rather hazy although I do remember Jez Nash creating two of Ben Kelly's tries with pin point accuracy and such perfect timing that the clock keepers of Big Ben would be happy (indeed, there were a few bowed heads around the ground in response to this feat!). Ben "David" Kelly wrapped up his hat-trick in the second half sliding into the corner. *For those of you confused about the David Kelly reference, type into Youtube: 'Newcastle United 7-1 Leicester City' - when David Kelly scored a hat-trick on the telly. Although this game wasn't on the telly, Mike Cousins did kindly record it.

All of the new players did very well and it was great to see some Colts coming through and getting involved - Angus Forster, Adam McDonald and Cameron Spencer. Lewis Chater distributed very well and threatened the opposition line (somewhat more than he did the opposition posts as his family supportively observed from the balcony). At 40-0 up we lifted up our heads and spotted an opportunity for a quick 22 drop out for a speedy winger to run into space and score. This worked with breathtaking effect, except it was Ryton's winger that dotted down for their only (and deserved) try.

Other tries were scored through Ramsey (2) from close range, Lewis Chater and Jack Hearn (2). Hearn scored a brace on his Novos debut and he looked in fine form - it is a shame he's back off to University as he didn't look out of place at all despite only leaving Dame Allan's last summer.

We have been training lots on our lines of running which were effective in the game with a few notable line breaks from Igoe and Rasmsey. The new lineouts also worked well.

This weekend we play host to Ashington in the Northumberland Senior Plate, a trophy we won for the first time back in 2016. A 2nd/3rd XV will also play Ashington at home as a curtain raiser to the Plate Quarter Final. We still have real ale left to shift at £1.50 a pop so its sure to be a good day! Make sure you come on down!

Try Scorers:
Ben Kelly (3), Sean Ramsey (2), Jack Hearn (2), Lewis Chater, Dan Whitaker
Kicks:
Lewis Chater (2 Conversions)