Novos 24, Rockcliff 14 - Kelly Bags A Double

Whilst training had been excellent this week unfortunately the side was much changed due to the unavailability of regular first teamer in Luke Menzfeld (hols) Andy Hall (work) Sean Ramsay (inj) Tom Cox (work) Jez Nash (wedding) Jack Hearn (wedding) Ben Wollerton (work)

Incredible that we were still able to put out a strong pack and the backs had two sessions two get ups to speed with Eoghan Phillips and Ross Radford making their league debuts, Lewis Chater and Josh Stacey returning after spells out injured. There was also promotions from the 2's in Ben Kelly and Nick Bellamy.

The wind was blowing strongly behind Novos in the first half. Our pack won the early scrum battles - great news given that Rockcliff stated that they edged this contest against Consett the week before.

We drove into Rockcliff territory after some good team play on the back of an Eoghan Phillips break and some great work by Kit Sorenson carrying and putting people into space. Just when we looked to be getting on top Rockcliff went 60m after some kick and chase skills. From a driven line out they ran an obvious backs move but we fell off the tackle for a deserved score. Conversion added to put Rockcliff up 7-0

Novos answered back immediately with a Shaun Stewart turnover which led to our forwards hammering the Rockcliff line. Penalty advantage six metres out and Pete Twentyman sat with the ball at the back of the ruck. With his thinking hat on he asked for the penalty to be awarded - quick tap taken as the closest defenders were now unable to touch him. Twentyman crashed over in a tackle to make it 7-7 as Shaun Stewart added the conversion.

Both sides were making a few handling errors due to the wind and the game was fiercely contested at the breakdown. Five of the six penalties conceded by Rockcliff were at the ruck whilst we were only penalised twice in the first 40 mins. From one of the ruck infringements Christian Selkirk was able to take another quick tap and catch Rockcliff with their backs turned. He fed speedster Ben Kelly who crashed through a couple of tackles to give us a half time lead of 12-7.

The early exchanges were fierce as neither side wanted to take a backward step. We were causing some real problems for Rockcliff at the breakdown by sending a man in after every tackle. We got a few turnovers and one led to a great break by George Bambrick which possibly included a show and go by the back rower.

Tempers frayed a little after about 45 mins as a kick through by Rockcliff was grounded by Ben Kelly bringing the refs whistle into play. Lewis Chater picked up the ball and ran off to take a quick 22m restart - after running several metres he was clattered by a defender. Only the Rockliff player will know if it was a cheap shot but I think he may not have heard the refs whistle in a blustery wind. Anyway, several Novos players ran in whilst Lewis just bounced back up and continued to the 22m line ! The ref Rebecca Rees calmed everyone down and we got on with the game.

A handling error by Rockcliff gave us a scrum 60 metres out in the middle of the field. Our scrum drove one side up allowing Darren Kelly to go blind and feed Christian Selkirk. A well timed pass saw Lewis Chater in full flight and evade the Rockcliff defence for an untouched run in. 17-7 and we looked in control.

Rockcliff had a perfect league season in 2018-19 and made a decent account of themselves last week against Consett. They were never going to rollover and let us stretch out our lead. They are a tight group at the moment looking to continue last seasons momentum. Rockcliff lads carried hard in the last 15 mins and punched some holes that they just couldn't finish.

We were under pressure with five mins to go and after we gave away some penalties they scored a converted try after hammering away at our line. We were probably very lucky not to receive a yellow card whilst under this pressure - perhaps them scoring saved us from this fate.

Game on 17-14 with three mins to play.

Rockcliff had one last gasp effort as they broke from their 22 into our half. Shaun Stewart stuck his hand in a passing lane and knocked the ball down. Howzat, as the Rockcliff lads appealed for a deliberate knock on. Ben Merrett playing to the whistle scooped up the pill and fed Ben Kelly. To Rockcliff's dismay Kelly raced in from 55 metres out to not only win the game but deny Rockcliff a bonus bonus point which their efforts had deserved. I have since watched the footage back several times and don't think VAR would've changed the refs decision as the ball may not have travelled forward from Stewart's hand.

Final score 24-14.

Thank you to Rebecca Rees. I know you were a little bit disappointed after the game but you've made incredible progress as a ref in the past 18 months. I'd focus on that - after all the players made a lot more mistakes than you and you got some calls spot on.

To Darren Cunningham and the Rockcliff lads - thank you for staying behind and joining in with speeches. You could easily have won this game on another day. Your line out was very good in difficult conditions and showed what we should be looking to achieve in this area of play. You were on the wrong side of the penalty count which will need addressing - 8/11 penalties awarded at the breakdown. Was fantastic to have a few beers with Darren after the game and see the county lads again. Novos wish you luck in your games until we see you in the new year. From what we saw you'll grow into a very good side and be competitive every Saturday no matter who you play.

Novos lads - unreal win given the disruption on the day and unavailability of so many first team regulars. This had a massive affect on the 2's who travelled to Tynedale with a weakened side. Apologies boys - next weeks availability looks much better not that it will make you feel any better right now. Thank you to Graeme Cooper for running the side in my absence.

Rich Harrison was accordingly awarded Richard of the Day although how it wasn't awarded to Darren Kelly for his kick when he had a 4 on 2 I will never know. Can't remember who got Player of the Day but Ben Kelly bagged a double, Josh Stacey and Pete Twentyman dominated the scrum battle and our back row were a menace all day at the breakdown.

Next week we travel to Boro after their transfer from the Yorkshire leagues. They are hoping to do well this season but we have our own expectations to meet.

Up the Vos !