No Smog On The Tyne - Novos 28, Boro 27

Squad News - great squad available despite it supposed to have been a free weekend. Unavailability existed in the form of regulars - Iain Dodds, Ben Merrett, Carl Parkinson, Bruno Smith and the last minute cry off from Jez Nash. However, returning were Pete Twentyman, Josh Igoe, Lewis Chater, Sam Busby and a debut for young Billy Porter at scrumhalf.

We started the game well with the side putting into effect all the things we worked on in training. Richard Dodd was fantastic at controlling territory in the early exchanges inviting Boro to have the ball in their own 22m. As we thought, Boro tried to run it and made early mistakes. We capitalised on this and possession turned to pressure. We were awarded a penalty successfully kicked by Jonno Wilkes for a 3-0 lead.

The game was to be to and fro all day and Boro benefitted from several early penalties, one of which was kicked by their young flyhalf. 3-3.

Again, we kicked deep into Boro territory forcing them to make more mistakes near their line. After several forward carries Lewis Chater spotted half a gap and raced through it to score handy to the posts. Conversion added by Wilkes. Novos 10-3 up.

Boro responded showing why they are 2nd in the league. Again, four penalties allowed them to drive up the field and they scored a nice try after a few good offloads. 10 all.

The tit for tat continued as Dodd again unleashed his huge boot which was a thorn in Boro's side all day. This field position led to a penalty which was kicked by Wilkes for a 13-10 lead with 40 mins up.

However, this was not to be the final score of the half as seven mins into first half injury time we were unable to clear our lines despite having possession. Holding on was the penalty call and there was still time for Boro to kick to the corner and drive in the lineout for them to take a 15-13 lead at change of ends.

We spoke about continuing to kick for territory and see if we could force turnovers in our opponents half. Dodd answered the call time and time again carving up huge metres with his kicking game. From a line out in our opponents 22m we drove to within a metre of the line before Tommy Goodman crashed over. Conversion added by Wilkes to male it 20-15.

The pattern of the game continued as Novos were heavily penalised despite dominating most aspects of the game including the scrum battle. Boro scored an unconverted try after a series of penalties. 20 all and nothing between the sides with 20 min to play.

After Boro's attack it was Novos turn to benefit from the whistle as Dodd kicked a penalty deep into Boro territory. After some strong drives the game Boro over committed in defence of the rolling maul only to see Shaun Stewart break off the back of it and run in from 20m. Novos up 25-20

During Boro's best period of pressure Tommy Goodman was yellow carded for a tip tackle. He was probably lucky that the colour was not red. With a man down Novos were unable to hold out as Boro scored two mins into injury time with the conversion taking them to a 27-25 lead with seconds to play.

Then came the most amazing end to a game I have ever seen. Pete Twentyman won the kick off and we were awarded a penalty 40m out. Wilkes hit the upright then the crossbar and all Boro had to do was kick it out for the win. However, Aedan Moloney pressured the kicker sufficiently for him to not find touch. With time up the ball was recycled as we looked for another penalty. Boro provided it by way of a high tackle 45m out. Up stepped Dodd whose left boot had pegged Boro back all day. The kick sailed between the posts and the boys were ecstatic with a 28-27 win against the team 2nd placed in the league.

Cheers to the ref, Paul Richardson for overseeing the game. It was played in good spirits and whilst there was a yellow card each there was no real malice in the encounter.

To the Boro boys I thought it was significant that you were missing a couple of key individuals. Your young flyhalf passed around us a couple of times only to see the pass dropped. I think if your usual centre was there he would of made a few outside breaks. You had a number of young players involved in the match so the future looks strong at your club and I wish you luck in your play off game.

Novos - great win over a top two side. I thought our set piece was strong and we responded well from a poor showing the week before. I was a little bit disappointed that our dominance did not show on the scoreboard. We did a lot of the things we have been working on in training and it was great to see us play a great game in terms of field position. Thought we deserved to win by more.

Whilst it was a real team performance there were significant individual moments in - Aedan Moloney setting a positive tone against his old club by sitting an opponent on his backside with his first carry, Richard Dodd with possibly the best kicking out of hand I have seen in my time in England, Jonno Wilkes knocking over penalties that we have not been taking throughout the season. However, my moment of the match would have to be Moloney's hit on a Boro lad after a kick off. It is hits like that which lift your team and deflate your opponents confidence.

All in all a great day for the club as the 2's and 3's booked cup finals taking the total to three for the second season running. Hopefully, we will see a change of fortune in cup final wins this time round.

Really interested to see if our lads can use this momentum into our game at Stockton next week.

A happy coach.