FInally some points!!

With the damage to the posts at Sutherland Park forcing a fixture swap, Novos took to the field at Ashbrooke looking to make amends from the previous week’s thrashing in Acklam. With ideal conditions for running rugby, both teams began by putting the ball through hands and looking to create space for their outside backs.

Novos were first on the scoresheet; an initial break through Bollado and Ward, followed by some good support work from both forwards and backs, led to a ruck 5m out, and a simple finish for Ward on the blind side with numbers to spare – great rugby from the whole team and a good sign for things to come. A tough conversion into the wind was very much needed in the end!

Sunderland were immediately back into action, putting great pressure on the Novos scrum, and forcing their way up the field, with their winger touching town after a lot of pressure. 7-5.

With Sunderland looking to attack again, Bollado intercepted in midfield and scampered away for the try. 14-5 half time.

Novos started strongly in the second half, with great work from Luke Mitchell in defence putting stops on many Sunderland set plays. A turnover at the start of the second half allowed James Bass to cross and make it 21-5.

Sunderland’s pressure in the forwards was starting to tell, and their pack scored a close-quarters try to make it 21-10. A penalty to Novos soon made it 24-10.

With Sunderland needing two tries, Novos were putting kicks in behind and chasing well. However, one slip in concentration from a mark taken deep in their own 22 gave their back3 the chance to show their pace and handling, their centre finishing a full-length movement to bring them within one.

Worse was to come when, following a strong scrum and a well-worked set play, a midfield break was well supported for Sunderland to get their 4th try, giving both a try bonus point, and drawing level in the match. Novos were pushing hard for a score to win, but ran out of time in the end.

All in all, it was a good performance, and we were disappointed to drop points in the end. Much stronger in the ruck to look after our own ball, and much tighter in defence to put pressure on their backline to force a lot of turnovers. More of the same would be needed next week to pick up a first win at Medicals.

Scorers:
Ward, try, 10 mins.
Bollado, try, 25 mins
Conversion: 10, 25, 50
Penalty: 60
Bass try 50 mins.