Novos 12, Stockton 24 - Not Much Fun Had

Squad - Steinberg, Dias, Twentyman, Wallace, Arbuckle, Foster, Merrett, Littlefair, O'Donoghue, Humphreyson, Kelly, Dodd, Busby, Wollerton, Parkinson C, Rowntree, Thomas and Parkinson J.

Apologies for the short report but drinking away defeat has somewhat blurred the days proceedings !

Stockton scored the first points with a very good try where they committed our back 3 and then chipped over to score. They thoroughly deserved their early lead and were up for a game between two sides at the wrong end of the table.

The breakdown was a bit of a free for all but we managed to get some go forward in the pack which then created space out wide. A simple shape from the backs then put Sam Busby in a one on one and he duly skinned his man to go in out wide. Novos down 7-5.

Stockton were the next to score via a penalty and then added a try when we narrowed in defence and they were able to out flank us. It was an avoidable try but gave Stockton the initiative in the match at 17-5 at half time.

The match was still in the balance when we lost Kieran O'Donoghue to a yellow card for getting punched in the face. Somewhat harsh but I guess when a scrum half clears out a second row he is probably going to cop something. Their player was yellow carded as well but we were affected more by losing our scrum half.

We did manage to close the gap after another run in from Busby, converted by Greg Humphreyson. However, Stockton soon scored their third try, a soft one. We were in their 22 and were rightly penalised, they kicked to the half way line, another penalty which they kicked to our 22m, missed tackle - try. Very avoidable score.

The final score was 24-12 and I thought the right team won. Despite all the unavailability I thought we had enough good players on the pitch to have got more from this game.

Thank you to the ref for the match and I was pleased he stayed to explain some of his decisions to me in the bar afterwards. He showed great character to admit he got the yellow cards wrong after watching the video footage. The refs have an impossible task at times on their own trying to watch over 30 lads playing a contact sport.

To our lads, it was great to see us stick together in the bar after the game. Over the past few seasons we have enjoyed the highest of highs but also some lows. That's life ! As the saying goes - we learn more about who we are after defeats not wins. Another tough one next week against Barnard Castle but we will prepare well and try head into the Gateshead double header on the 26/11 with a positive frame of mind.

It was great to see three of our forwards back in training this week as Luke Menzfeld had a run around the fields after his hernia operation and Tommy Goodman/Iain Dodds did the entire session after their injuries. Hopefully, more good news will follow shortly regarding our other injured forwards - Kit Sorenson, Josh Wright, Josh Igoe and Martin Fearon.

Up the Vos !