Novos 43, Gosforth 17 - Ringtons Cup Win

For the second game in a row, the other being West Hartlepool - our opponents turned up with no kit. Is this a new Sutherland Park voodoo that disrupts our oppositions preparations. Anyway, they were provided with rugby balls and our away kit so the game could start on time. Pity the kit man and the fine he must've paid later that evening (going rate is £100 as per Davey Wallace, Westoe RFC vs Cleckheaton 2000)

Early exchanges were pretty even as both sets of players got stuck in to some meaningful contact. The first score came from a wayward Gosforth clearance kick. Daniel Brewer on debut after leaving Dame Allan's School (UTA !) showed no sign of nerves fielding the ball and gaining his first touch in senior men's rugby. He then proceeded to crash between two would-be tacklers and then beat 2-3 cover defenders as he raced in 60 metres to score - another wow moment from this very talented Old Allanian. Conversion added by Shaun Stewart to make it 7-0.

Novos were on the front foot and holding decent width, enabling them to out flank Gosforth early doors. A break by Adam MacDonald led to Jack Hearn running down the outside before giving a hook shot off load to Paddy Sowter for the try. Great conversion added from out wide by Shaun Stewart to put Novos 14-0 up.

Gosforth showed some fight and got back into the game after turning over the kick off. A couple of penalties gave them great field position and the eventually crashed over for a deserved score. 14-5.

The Novos lads were getting across the gain line and allowing the backs front foot ball. Daniel Brewer was the beneficiary as a nice team try was scored on the back of some fine carrying by the forwards and good handling by the backs. Novos up 19-5.

With the backs in a rampant mood with stand in fly half Jack Hearn calling the shots we went in again as Shaun Stewart went in for an unconverted try to make it 24-5 at the end of the first 30 mins.

We started the second 30 as we ended the first, on top with some fine carries by Darren Kelly and new lad Ross Radford. Sam Bird raced in, Adam MacDonald crashed over before Christian Selkirk flopped over the line to take the score out to 43-5 at the end of the next 30 min half.

At the break before the final 20 mins Gosforth had picked up a few injuries and we decided to play for the just 10 mins. Gosforth finished the stronger as their 12 who had caused us problems all day got a few offloads away. Final score 43-17.

Thank you to Graham Crozier for reffing the match - always a pleasure to have Graham at the club as an official. Thought he was very good and his decisions matched the occasion as Gosforth could've got a yellow or two for a deliberate knock on and a high tackle - had it been a league match.

Cheers to Gosforth boys - hope you punished your kit man accordingly ! No drama in lending our rugby balls and playing kit - wouldn't be a game without you. I thought you had a back rower that caused us some problems along with your 12 who we know well from playing for us in a 7's event (hope he has also been fined) I wish Ian Moralee all the best in his new role at the club - I am sure if you back him and get down to training you can improve on last seasons position in D and N 2.

Well done to the Novos boys - thought our approach to the game was spot on as it was not just a pre season game to us as we wanted to win the Cup for the club. Scrum was strong, looked good when we just did the simple things - was fantastic to see Jez Nash and George Bambrick back in the jersey after long term ankle injuries. In addition, loved seeing Jack Hearn and Sam Bird playing for the club after graduating from uni. Finally, incredible proud to see three Old Allanian's (Tom Dias, Jack Hearn and Daniel Brewer) put on the Novocastrians jersey. Been great to see in recent seasons the Dame Allan's lads and Royal Grammar School lads play alongside each other in the same team.

Next up for the first team is Northern (1830 away) on Tuesday the 27th in the first round of the senior cup. An incredible difficult tie given Northern's league position last season. However, we are in a good place and well organised for this time of the year - no reason why we can't go there and cause an upset.

Up the Vos - rugby for all, rugby for life.