Novos Out Pie'd!

On the morning of the third it looked as though a bright, warm sunshine and dry conditions would suit Novos pacy back line, as the day progressed sadly the conditions greyed and the rain came - playing straight into the hands of Ashington's bigger forwards.

Novos were missing several players and sent a slightly patched up side to Ashington for this season's opening game. With Gavin Evans away, Paul Henderson and Dave Stephenson working and Andy Borthwick on Holiday the few big bulky forwards Novos have in the squad were stripped out of the equation. James Forbes stepped in for Evans and Liam Savage was forced into an emergency 2nd row appearance from the usual comfort of the back row, Stand in Skipper Alex Littlefair donned Borthwick's number 8 jersey.

The early exchanges highlighted the different approaches from the sides, Ashington continually pressured at the scrum and in the set plays with heavy artillery drives whilst Novos took every opportunity to throw the ball aroung - It was Novos exciting approach that yielded the first points a break from deep in their own 22 from willing runner Jack Watkins unleashed James Bass for a long run, Novos sent the ball wide and Jonny Ward gained further yards, Ashington killed the ball at the tackle area and Richard Lamb opened Novos points account with a simple penalty kick. This stung Ashington into action and from the kick off they received they kicked long into Novos 22 and pressured Ben Adcock to kick for touch. From the Lineout they drove Novos back and sent their huge 2nd row over from 5 yards, missing the conversion. Novos continued to persist with the quick ball game plan but as the rain got heavier the ball got slippier and handling errors were increasing. Still Novos scored next through another Stewart penalty before more Ashington power play saw them edge 10 - 6 ahead with another forward dominated score. The final 10 minutes of the half though was all Novos and Ward, Watkins and Littlefair all went close in a frenetic end to the half. Skipper Littlefair perhaps the unluckiest when he had what appeared a perfectly good try chalked off by the unsighted referee. Novos also spurned a chance at 3 points opting instead to go for a try from the penalty which was spilled allowing Ashington to clear, sparking wild scenes of celebration from the 'enthusiastic' Ashington skipper!

At Half time Novos felt they were in with a big shout of getting the win if they could get at least some parity with the opposition at scrummage time and obstruct their driving play. The rain intensified however and the task became more difficult.

Ashington scored again and this put Novos under pressure to score next and despite more enterprising play from fly half Richy Lamb and some half breaks Ashington's defence held out and they scored a further 2 tries as the game wore on to get a bonus point and complete a tough day for a Novos side who remained plucky and determined throughout.

Rob Jones took more positives than negatives for his patched up side on a day we expected would be tough, citing an excellent team spirit from a team who never stopped working for each other or gave up in the face of some tough tactics from Ashington.

Other positives were an impressive showing from Lamb at fly half, Jack Watkins in the centre and James Bass at full back as well as Liam Savage putting in a man's shift in the second row and emerging with real credit in tough circumstances. Ex Colt and back row Stew Wilson became the latest to emerge into the first team picture and accounted for himself well with a strong 15 minute debut cameo from the bench.

Next week Novos host Alnwick, a team who will be buzzing from the early win over promotion favourites Hartlepool Rovers and surely have their sights firmly set on a promotion challenge.