Novos 25, Boro 17 - Shaun Stewart 150th Match

The day started well with our Vets assembling for a pre match gathering and ensure the first team and third team were cheered on. Novos were up for the challenge and hopeful of a good showing with a squad strengthened by the return of Josh Igoe from long term injury and we also had Angus Duncan, Bruno Smith and Jonno Wilkes delay uni returns to play in the next two fixtures. In addition, Sam Rowntree and Nick Arbuckle travelled back early to take their places in a very strong squad. There was one last minute change as Matt Bradford came in for the injured Paddy Sowter.

We started on fire as Angus Duncan fielded a kick, nice off load to Sam Busby to take us into the 22. Couple of narrow carries saw the Boro defence line narrow and Richard Dodd then executed a beautiful cross field kick for Jonno Wilkes to go in untouched. What a start to a massive game. Novos up 5-0 in two mins.

The boys were executing tactics very well with great line speed causing some early turnovers by the Boro inside backs. Dodd was kicking the corners nicely. From a planned move off a lineout Smith received the ball with mismatches ahead of him, great footwork, off load, off load, then Wilkes hit the ball at pace to step the fullback and run in for second try. Conversion added by Wilkes to make it Wilkes 12, Boro 0.

Boro are a good side and finally settled into the game. on the back of two pens they marched up the field and into our half for the first time. A third pen at the breakdown within two mins gave them a kickable chance. Duly put over to narrow it to 12-3.

We squandered a couple of clear chances whilst we were on top and the game could easily have been put out of Boro's reach within the first 30 mins. Our scrum edged the battle for front foot ball, Arbuckle and Stewart were winning all the lineout ball and Dodd was carving up metres with his kicking game. On the 30 min mark the ball was thrown to Stewart with not much support around him and several defenders in front. A fantastic kick through from the second row saw him sprint past the defenders scoop the ball up mid dive for a popular try as the Vets cheered their local hero !

The half ended with us again in our 22m as Boro upped their physicality and we lost some focus. From sustained pressure they scored a converted try after a missed tackle from the base of a scrum. Novos 17, Boro 10. Just prior to the half ending the Boro fly half was yellow carded for throwing a punch.

With a man advantage for the first five mins we controlled the game well as Dodd kicked the corners again and again. With Arbuckle stealing a lot of ball this allowed us to launch an attack deep in Boro's half. After some fine team play the ball was thrown to Sam Busby who raced in for his customary try. Novos 22, Boro 10.

To their credit Boro never gave in and again they responded well after we had scored. A couple of pens in our 22m saw a quick tap taken and they were away. A magical day for Stewart took a step back as he was rightly yellow carded for a deliberate knock on. From the resulting pen Boro eventually scored a converted try to make it 22-17 with ten mins to play.

Nervous times for a squad that is under relegation pressure at the moment. However, the boys stayed calm under pressure and won two very important turn overs. First of all Iain Dodds won a huge turnover on our goal line. Then as we worked our way down the field Martin Fearon won a penalty in front of the posts. Wilkes knocked it over as Novos secured an important win 25-17.

It wasn't all great news however as Richard Dodd broke his hand during the last play after a shoulder charge from a Boro player. Just when you thought our luck might change the injury marred season looks to be continuing.

Thanks to the exchange ref for taking charge of the game. It was a good tight contest between two sides wanting to play some rugby and he was a big part of that.

To the Boro lads, thought you perhaps deserved something from the game and we now hope you will do us some favours by beating the sides around us as the season finishes.

Our boys, an awesome display at times. Doing a lot of the things we worked on in training. The forwards set the tone as we edged the set piece battle. This allowed the backs some front foot ball which they enjoyed using. Thank you to our friends, families and the Vets who cheered us over the line. We do need to ensure that this result is a platform to go into next weeks game at Rovers in a confident mood.

We wish Doddsy well in his rehab and congrats to Shaun Stewart on his 150th game for the club.

See you all at training.