Novos 12, Durham City 52 - Title Contenders Too Powerful

We travelled to high flying Durham City with hopes of showing that we have been making progress as a club. Conditions were perfect and the pitch was in the best nick I’ve seen it in my 20 years of playing and coaching against City.

Durham started the stronger as there league position would suggest but we were competing well, even winning the scrum battle easily. City have a strong centre pairing and whilst we tackled well we couldn’t stop some of their sides off loading as they went into an early lead. We battled back and the game was a real contest in the first half.

From a dominant scrum Paddy Sowter fixed the first defender allowing Sam Busby to out pace the City ten to score under the posts. Conversion added by Shaun Stewart to make it 15-7 after 35 mins. However, City scored a vital try with the last play of the first half which made the score line 22-7 at the break. Breathing room that would allow them to play with more confidence in the second half.

Durham overpowered us in the second forty as their ball carriers earned off loads that didn’t stick in the first half and their finishing was of a much higher quality. We battled away for another score to Tom Winnings on debut. However, City showed on much power and stretched out to 52-12. We felt that we gave them more of a game than the score line suggested though.

Thank you to our American ref who was on exchange. Had a great chat to him after the game about what the lads were like to ref as well as give him a few work ons for his uni match on Wednesday and the Consett game on Saturday.

City - good luck for the rest of the season. Other than the cold showers the hospitality was great - food was very good and drinks after the game is a welcome treat. Used to be hot tea in my playing days, a strange but welcome tradition in the colder months ! A very strong side, well coached by Mark Bedworth. Hopefully, this will be your season to go back up.

Our lads - back to growing the club on Tuesday. Great to be putting out four sides regularly and hearing that the threes had progressed in the cup vs West End. Big week ahead of us as the first team play Gateshead and the club matches up against Rockcliff at 3s and 4s. Not forgetting the 2s will play a friendly vs Sunderland.

See you all Tuesday - Up The Vos.