Novos Start Season With Two Wins From Two

After some torrential rain the sun shone and conditions were pretty good by kick off. Both sides assembled side by side to observe a minutes silence for the recent losses of members of Sunderland RFC. It was great to see clubs across the north east pay their respects as the rugby community stood together during an incredibly sad time.

Whistle blown by Craig Wrightson and Novos gathered possession. After a spell of pressure and runs from Josh Igoe, Ben Merrett and Shaun Stewart a penalty was won. Up stepped Jonno Wilkes to smash the ball between the posts to give Novos an early 3-0 lead. However, our newly promoted opponents showed they do not intend to be a walkover this season. With a simple game plan they started to win the battle for the gain line. We were penalised for hands in the ruck in front of the posts to make it 3-3. Then we fell off some tackles as Hartlepool powered over to make it 3-8. A bad 15 mins was complete when Hartlepool scored a beautiful team try to make it 3-13 with only tens mins to go in the half. On top of this Josh Wright came off injured and was replaced by Stewart Wilson.

Words were said by the leadership group under the posts and with a determination to up the tempo we regained possession at the kick off. We carried well, took some quick penalty taps and went through the gears. After a break by Andrew Steinberg, Stewart went over for a try with the conversion added by Wilkes to make it 10-13. With only a couple mins to go Hartlepool were looking tired and in need of the break. We broke from our own half with a fine move of the back of a scrum. Eventually, we worked our way into the 22 and had multiple penalties which were tapped. A couple of Hartlepool players were out on their feet and not in play. After several phases Lewis Chater saw a mismatch and raced between two Hartlepool forwards for a try under the post. Conversion added by Wilkes to put Novos ahead 17-13, perhaps undeserved as we were outplayed for long parts of the first half.

We started the 2nd half as we ended the first with possession and pressure. After a break out from our own half by Jez Nash and Sam Busby we were on the Hartlepool line. Alex Littlefair drove for the line but was just short. However, debutant Paddy Sowter scooped up the ball and dived in by the corner flag. Incredible conversion added from the sideline by Wilkes to put Novos up 24-13.

Hartlepool were not on task at this time and struggled with the tempo of the game either side of half time. From the kick off we broke out again from our 22m as Nash went through again. After some great support from Busby, Bass, Sowter and Chater the ball was fed to Ben Merrett for a great try. Another conversion added by Wilkes, 31-13 to Novos.

The game should have been put to bed as we swept 80m from the kick off. However, the scoring pass was spilt and Hartlepool finally settled back into the game. They scored a fine try and then a soft one to edge back into the match. However, an impressive all round display from Wilkes was completed when he raced 50m to score a converted try.

Final score 38-27 to Novos.

Thank you to Hartlepool for a very competitive game. You showed that you belong in this league with a battling performance where you outplayed us for long periods. When you switched off we were lucky enough to grab the tempo of the game up and score some long range tries. Based on that performance I am sure that you will be in a lot of games long enough to secure points. We wish you well in your first season back in the league. It was not that long ago that we were in this position.

Cheers to Craig Wrightson for controlling the match. It was great to see Craig apply the new laws at the first scrum and penalise their nine for being offside. Although, their nine was somewhat bemused by the decision.

Congrats to the 2's on their result against Percy Park 2's. An incredible result for the club and a big shout out for the regular 3's that stepped up to play. 24-17, get in lads !

Finally, massive thank you to the caterers who put on the food out of our newly designed kitchen area. Lasagna was fantastic, although the additional pie and sausages were something I perhaps should not have consumed on top !

Next week we play away at Consett whilst the 2's are at Morpeth. Two very difficult fixtures so let's get to training and put in the hard work !