Medicals take a lucky bonus.

Novos displayed plenty of courage in adversity but are finding that when you are at the bottom everything goes against you. On a generally frustrating afternoon, Medicals were able to take advantage and claim the full five points on offer.

Novos were thrown into chaos even before kick off when they were forced to draft in scrum half James Shallcross at the last minute from the 4ths as a late replacement when Thomas Armitage who was en route to Consett with the 2nds was unable to return in time for kick off. Obviously any last minute shuffling causes real problems and headaches for the management and coaches and also the other players as it holds up and disturbs the preparation for the whole team.

Despite the disrupted build up, Novos came out fighting against a side who really fancy themselves and had beaten Novos comprehensively in the earlier fixture, they brought a loud and vociferous crowd who clearly expected their team to hand out another thrashing. Novos were never going to let that happen.

In the opening forty minutes Medicals were not allowed to play their free flowing game and Novos midfield tackled like demons and as the half grew they started to dominate their lofty opponents, in the scrum Gavin Evans was destroying his opposite number, indeed the referee may as well changed his engage command to crouch, touch, pause… Stand up. Unfortunately despite this happening at every scrum no penalty was forthcoming, as the half wore on Novos penned Medicals back deep in their own 22 but they were thwarted by a strong defence.

Just before half time Medicals were awarded a penalty when a slip from Gav Evans collapsed a scrum, the referee deciding this was to be punished with a penalty that Medicals took quickly even though the scrum was still intact - they broke up the field and scored the opening try against the run of play.

Half time gave Novos time to reflect on a dominant display that deserved the lead, as it was we turned around 0-7 down. Still confident we could turn the situation around and get back in the game.

The 2nd half heralded an improvement from Medicals and they looked to advance through kicks and chip throughs but found full back Graham Jardine equal to everything thrown at him. Medicals were awarded a 5 metre scrum which Novos front row destroyed forcing both props and the hooker to pop out the top of the scrum - again this was unpunished and Medicals scored again. At 0 - 14 down from two dubious tries, Novos began to chase the game, but when Medicals third try came Novos were again feeling hard done by, a Jardine kick was clearly knocked forward and to make matters worse a player in front of the knocked on player fielded the ball at least they can say that the move following it was quite good as they scored again.

Novos had to chase and threw everything at Medicals, but an interception coughed up the bonus point try and gave the scoreline a one sided look.

Finally, Novos were rewarded with a try from Luke Mitchell after a break from Jamie Wallace, the game was gone but Novos continued to press until Medicals broke again for a fifth try and a scoreline that totally flattered the visitors and represented a huge turn around from the debacle on Cartington Terrace.

Novos will live to fight another day but it was a frustrating afternoon, Novos in part hoisted by their own petard, bad luck and some key decisions going against them. Medicals are on a good run, they brought a large support whose behaviour during the game with football style chanting and general mocking of Novos position was disappointing - especially from a club whose relations with Novos over the years has always been good previously, still I guess if the players from Meds on the balconies opinions mattered they would have probably been on the pitch.

So next week Novos have the week off before visiting Horden in 2 weeks, always a tough trip but enough evidence that Novos can go and get something out of that game.

The Great Escape (Novos Edition) starts in earnest, 9 games to go and Novos will be fighting in every single one of them.