1st XV
Matches
Sat 07 Dec 2019  ·  Durham/Northumberland One
Novocastrians RFC
1st XV
Tries: D Shuttleworth, N Bellamy, J Stacey, J Nash, S StewartConversions: S Stewart (2)Penalties: S Stewart (2)
35
3
Hartlepool Rovers

Match Preview

Magnus Leask4 Dec 2019 - 22:23
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Novocastrians have won three games in a row in November and enter a difficult period with matches against Rovers on the 7th, followed by Westoe on the 14th before finishing the month with the John Elders Memorial game on the 28th vs RGS Old Boys. A challenging fixture - Rovers have been a bogey side for us in my time at the club with only three wins in twelve fixtures. However four of those losses have been by less than five points. It is always one of the games of the season with the last eight fixtures being 31-34, 41-34, 28-27, 24-26, 17-15, 25-29, 21-30, 22-17 - an unbelievable run of tightly contested matches.

1st xv home to Rovers, 1415 kick off, 1245 meet - Andy Hall, Daniel Shuttleworth, Pete Twentyman (captain) Adam MacDonald, Tom Cox, Darren Kelly, George Bambrick, Alex Littlefair, Christian Selkirk, Sam Devey, Shaun Stewart, Jack Hearn, Jez Nash, Eoghan Phillips, Nick Bellamy, Josh Stacey, Louis Matthews and Pat Smith.

Not considered due to injury or unavailability - Luke Menzfeld, Kit Sorenson, Sean Ramsay, Alex Cleminson, Lewis Chater, Rich Harrison, Isaac Robinson, Mike Williams, Sam Bird and Ben Wollerton.

Novos front row remains the same as the hard working trio of Hall, Shuttleworth and Twentyman start once again after a strong outing versus Barnard Castle. In the engine room Adam MacDonald comes into the side after two man of the match performances for our second team. He will add to the energy of an already lively pack including the return of George Bambrick to the starting line up.

Out wide we have a fine balance of know how and youth with Christian Selkirk at nine who is on a two game try scoring streak. Youngsters Sam Devey, Jack Hearn and Eoghan Phillips will look to take on Rovers with ball in hand. The back line is finished off with the inclusion of Nick Bellamy at fifteen after two very good performances in the two's.

Off the bench will be Northumberland Centurion, Josh Stacey who will look to carry hard and dominate scrum time when he enters the fray. Louis Matthews will be making his first team debut after moving from the fours to the ones in the space of two months ! Another talented youngster will be added to the mix when Pat Smith comes on. Pat has joined us from Paviors RFC, following in the footsteps of the very talented Tom Winning.

Special mention to Jez Nash who is playing in his 100th game on Saturday. Jez joined us several seasons ago whilst at uni and enjoyed his time so much at the club he secured a full time job and stayed in the Newcastle area. A talented centre, great fitness levels, strong desire to compete for possession and capable of multiple line breaks in a match. Congratulations Jez and we all look forward to sinking a few beers with you and looking back at some great memories you have created in your time so far at Novocastrians RFC.

Enjoy the game everyone - up the Vos !

Novocastrians RFC

Novocastrians RFC

Sutherland Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE7 7SZ

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Durham/Northumberland One Fixtures

Sat 7 Dec 2019KO: TBC
Northern
52
South Shields Westoe
33
Sat 7 Dec 2019KO: TBC
Stockton
43
Gateshead
5
Sat 7 Dec 2019KO: 14:15
Horden and Peterlee
20
Consett
45
Sat 7 Dec 2019KO: 14:15
Medicals
50
Whitley Bay Rockcliff
32
Sat 7 Dec 2019KO: 14:15
Middlesbrough
95
Barnard Castle
0
Sat 7 Dec 2019KO: 14:15
North Shields
21
Acklam
48

Head-to-Head

Sat 27 Apr 2019
Hartlepool Rovers
34
Novocastrians RFC
Novocastrians
31
Sat 24 Nov 2018
Novocastrians RFC
Novocastrians
41
Hartlepool Rovers
34
Sat 20 Jan 2018
Hartlepool Rovers
27
Novocastrians RFC
Novocastrians
28
Sat 30 Sep 2017
Novocastrians RFC
Novocastrians
24
Hartlepool Rovers
26
Sat 14 Jan 2017
Hartlepool Rovers
15
Novocastrians RFC
Novocastrians
17

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Dec 2019

Kickoff

14:15

Meet time

12:45

Instructions

Team may be altered on Thursday based on attendance

Competition

Durham/Northumberland One

League position

6
Novocastrians
8
Hartlepool Rovers
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

1st XV Sponsor - Infinity Car Care
Shirt Sponsor - Apta Vita Physiotherapy
Club Sponsor - Audi Newcastle
Shirt Sponsor - Carlin Hall