Novos 14, Consett 36 - Positives in Defeat

The day started well as Novos managed to fulfil our four fixtures despite unavailability issues across the board. Within the first team squad alone - Pete Twentyman (inj) Ross Radford, Ben Merrett (inj) Adam MacDonald, Sean Ramsay (inj) Alex Cleminson (inj) were missing from the pack. Out wide Lewis Chater (inj) Rich Harrison (inj) Jez Nash, Nick Bellamy (inj) Sam Devey and Ben Forbes (inj) were all not available to be selected. Huge thank you to our captains who worked throughout the week to make sure everyone that could play got a game of rugby.

Consett arrived top of the table and the usual amount of Antipodean accents could be heard - I counted 4-5. Having watched them warm up you could see that they were a team who liked to move the ball quickly to width.

The early exchanges were competitive as Consett made the first line break but we scrambled well. Isaac Robinson made a great line break but it was Consett's turn to scramble to stop a try. Our opponents were the first to score from a scrum after getting round our narrow defence to make it 5-0.

We battled back with some great carries and fantastic defence with Jack Hearn and Eoghan Phillips leading the way. We earned a couple of pens that we kicked to the corner. After several phases hammering at the Consett line, Alex Littlefair snuck over and placed the ball on the line for a slit second. Paul Minto was in a great position to whistle the try in the corner. Shaun Stewart landed a magnificent side line conversion to put us ahead 7-5 after 15 mins.

Consett's midfield were excellent at shifting the ball to the wings with great accuracy in their length of pass. They boys defended really well and worked hard for each other. We held them out for what seemed an age on our try line. From a scrum in our 22m they attacked the short side with their 15 and restored their lead at 10-7.

With mins to go in the first half we looked out on our feet and stuck in our 22m. We threw on Luke Foster and Craig Eales to give us a boost to see if we could get to the break with the score at 10-7. Luke and Craig made some telling tackles and the move nearly came off but Consett scored with the last play of the half. Consett 17, Novos 7.

The boys were enjoying the contest and the opportunity to play a side that has just spent a season in the league above us.

The set piece battle was even, the ruck area hotly contested but it was the Consett backs that was the big difference. On 50 mins they went in for their third try from first phase after one of our defenders slipped over. Then after a turnover from a choke tackle they went in again off the scrum to bring the score too 29-7.

Plenty of fight still being shown from the lads as we tried to pick up the tempo in our attack. Young colt, Brandon Gilbert entered the fray and showed what a promising talent he is with a telling tackle and real ability to off load the ball at will. Great personal moment as two Old Allanians combined as Eoghan Phillips put in Jack Hearn for a try. Conversion added by Captain for the day, Shaun Stewart. Consett 29, Novos 14.

Consett made the contest look comfortable with another try before the end of the game to make the final score 36-14. However, I felt like we gave them a decent game and put in a huge effort around the park.

Thanks to Paul Minto for taking charge of an entertaining contest, always a pleasure to see you return to Novos.

Well done to the Consett lads on the win. We were perhaps not used to defending against the kind of width you put on the ball on first phase. I am sure you will pushing for promotion when the season comes to an end in April.

Thanks to the Novos boys for putting on the shirt - especially Jack Hearn for playing ten, Brandon Gilbert for coming into the squad last minute and making his debut along with Craig Eales. I thought Alex Littlefair was excellent on his return to the squad and Tom Cox was everywhere throughout the match. In the backs Jack Hearn and Eoghan Phillips were excellent in defence and showed a desire to attack with tempo and skill.

Man of the Match - Eoghan Phillips
Richard of the Day - George Bambrick for kicking Consett's ball away whilst they were warming up.

Next week we have the weekend off for some meaningless international fixture. Back on the park on 9th November vs Acklam.

Up the Vos !