Novos 10, Stockton 48 - Onwards

After some heavy rain overnight the sun was out but a decent breeze heading over the ministry. Novos started with it at their backs and we went on the front foot. Selecting five back rowers worked well early doors as we turned over ball at the break downs. George Bambrick and Darren Kelly showing great patience to wait for the right moment to get on the ball. One such penalty was successfully converted by Shaun Stewart for an early lead.

Stockton were coming off the back of a great win over Northern and full of confidence and we had a tough away trip at Boro. We lost two attacking line outs and compounded this by conceding two penalties. Stockton deserved their try but really we should have been on attack. Stockton 5, Novos 3.

The Stockton back row were carrying well and their 9 and 10 were pulling the strings. Again they drove into the wind for a somewhat soft converted try as we missed a tackle or two.

A competitive first half finished with a fine Stockton try on the stroke of half time, again converted as Stockton headed to a lead of 19-3 at the break.

Luke Menzfeld, Alex Cleminson and Sam Bird all entered the match before 45 mins had ticked over but we were unable to get back into the game as Stockton ten carved up metres with his boot and our line out didn't function very well.

Stockton extended their lead with two well worked tries to stretch the score to 31-3 before we added to our score. Lewis Chater broke from our 22m line and was felled by a reasonably poor tackle. The ref ran the extra 20 metres for Lewis and awarded a penalty try - at the time I thought it was harsh however having awarded the try I was surprised that the player was not also yellow carded.

From the kick off we tried to carry and a ball carrier was taken in the third high tackle - team warning issued, still no yellow card. We tried to up the tempo but Stockton's defence was organised. A quick tap by Pete Twentyman was bobbled and a yellow card issued as the ref deemed he was impeded by a Stockton player. Harsh perhaps as it just looked like a knock on - only Pete and the Stockton lad will know what really occurred.

The numbers advantage did not seem to make a difference as Jez Nash and Daniel Shuttleworth came off injured. Stockton powered through the last twenty mins and scored three excellent tries before the final whistle sounded. Novos 10, Stockton 48.

Cheers to Stockton - as stated in the speeches you have come along way in the past two seasons. The spine of your side is very experienced now and you are playing some great rugby. Enjoyed sitting down with some old friends and having a pint after the game - chatting about the good old days.

Thanks to Tom Grayson. An easy day perhaps as the sides were not as close as we had hoped for although the breakdown was a very competitive area all day long.

Novos boys, a tough month comes to an end where we perhaps played 3 out of the top 5 already with Consett and Westoe considered to be the other two to compete for promotion. Whilst we have stuck together I think we have to have higher individual standards throughout the week. Focus needed on reducing errors in training and then putting that into matches. Next week is North Shields who will be targeting this fixture for a much needed win.

See you all at training.