Novos 41, Acklam 21

This was our second attempt to play this game after it being snowed off prior to Xmas. We were delighted to arrive and see the pitch in perfect condition and were looking forward to getting stuck in.

Early exchanges were pretty even as the sides sized each other up. However, we looked to have the edge in desire to play high tempo and move the ball. Our first try came from a scrum with a decent blind side. Acklam probably didn't put enough players there as Johnny Ward scorched in from 50m, converted by Jonno Wilkes. Novos up 7-0.

The lads looked up for this game after a spirited display the week before against City. We were in again after a quick tap was taken and fed to Aedan Moloney. Again the conversion was added by Wilkes. Novos up 14-0

As the second half was closing Novos scored their best try of the half as breaks by Moloney and Jez Nash continued. Then Angus Duncan got in on the act before off loading to Shaun Stewart for him to dive in to make it 19-0.

The game was not all one way traffic and Acklam were competitive upfront all day and the scored on the stroke of half time to make it 19-7 as we turned around with the wind now at our back.

Acklam started the second half with renewed vigour and pressure resulted in Ben Merrett receiving a yellow card. However, that just seemed to lift us further as with 14 men we continued to move the ball wide.

After a break by Ward the ball was moved to Nash and he raced in from distance for an unconverted try. From the kick off Stewart leaped high to secure possession and we drove forward. Another long distance try was scored when Wilkes went in and converted his own try to make the score 31-7.

Acklam tried to fight back against the 14 men of Novos and were eventually able to score a fine try to make it 31-14.

Restored to 15 after Merrett re-entered the fray Novos went back into Acklam territory. From a ruck George Wilson executed a perfect kick over the ruck for Angus Duncan to latch onto and dive in the corner. A great try and Angus did not deserve the two knees he got in the back from one of the Acklam lads. Conversion missed but we now led 36-14.

The second half continued the rollercoaster ride as Acklam put us under some pressure and Wilson was yellow carded for pushing his opposite number in the back. This allowed them to score and hope of a losing bonus point with the score at 36-21.

The contest was appropriately put to be when Johnny Ward ran in for another long distance try to make the final score 41-21.

Thanks to the exchange ref who actually had to make this journey twice as the original fixture was called off an hour before kick off.

Cheers to the Acklam lads whose hospitality was very warm on both occasions. Great to see a clubhouse full on both Saturdays we were there. I can see why you were promoted and only see you looking up the league rather than down in the next few seasons.

To our lads, great win as many teams have struggled to get a win away at Acklam. We scored some great long distance tries and our forwards were outstanding against a pack that beat Horden the week before.

See you all at training this week.