Muddled Performance As Gosforth WIn

We could use any amount of excuses in regards to why we lost our grip on this Ringtons Cup match. However, I would rather admit that Gosforth were better on the day and deserved their win thoroughly.

Novos arrived at the rather muddy but entirely playable Broadway pitches and found a spirited Gosforth side in wait. Full of confidence from four wins on the bounce Gosforth started the game much better than us.

Whilst Novos had early possession they were forced back by Gosforths defence as we perhaps tried to play too much rugby in the conditions. After pushing us back into our own half Gosforth turned the ball over and moved the ball out for their wing to cross over for an early try. Gosforth up 5-0.

Encouraged by their start Gosforth scored again after an incredible amount of off loads and passes under pressure. I just stood and applauded what was a great try in the conditions. Our lads shocked 12-0 down and looking to regroup.

Funny moment as the ref comes to the sideline to tell me off for coaching out of my technical area (reasonably funny as completely unlike me to do this but hand up !) but the game kicks off without him. Whack ! Aedan Moloney completely smashes their lad after a great hanging kick and puts the Gosforth player out of the game. The ref sorts things out and the next kick is not very good but lands in space as three Gosforth players are looking for Aedan and not the ball ! Perhaps flustered by this occurence Tony was later to fall over a ruck and then slip getting up. No one laughed however as when he finally stood up he gave the scrum to Gosforth despite us being in possession ! Assume he had a blow to the head during his fall !!

We started to play a bit better and were able to create some pressure. Off a solid scrum the ball was fed out to Rich Harrison who did a simple switch with Jez Nash as their 10 missed the tackle. Jez sped in from 25m out for a pretty good individual try. Conversion added by Johnny Ward to make it 12-7 Gosforth.

However, the first half was marred by Novos errors. On the back of two errors in our own 22m Gosforth were able to score a try and kick a penalty after hands in a ruck to make it 22-7 at half time.

We turned around with the conditions in our favour and a desire to play the corners. Richard Dodd put us deep into Gosforth territory and our forwards took over, carrying a lot near our opponents line. We eventually were rewarded with this tactic as we kicked a penalty near the Gosforth try line and drove the lineout over for Ben Merrett to dot down. Gosforth still up 22-12.

The rest of the game rather fizzled out as we were unable to do much as the pitch has deteriorated considerably going into the last 20 mins. Gosforth had got their noses so far ahead in the first 20 that they were able to hang on from then on.

I thought Gosforth thoroughly deserved their win; benefitting from winning the toss, got their tactics spot on and controlled field position better than us. In addition, they showed real enthusiasm and courage throughout and showed that they wanted to overturn their recent run of results against us.

Thank you to Tony Parlett for taking charge of the game in what was by the end, very muddy conditions. The better side won and I had no real issues with his decision making at all. Cheers Tony.

To our lads, one to write off but with reflection on your own performance. In what was a big game, ask yourself would you have done anything different ? Nothing wrong with losing if we learn from it. Massive game next up against my old club Gateshead. Get to training and ensure you do everything you can to prove you deserve to be selected.