Novos 35, Rovers 3 - Nash Inspires Novos To Win

Our opponents arrived late due to traffic and with several unfamiliar names in a squad that looked much changed from recent weeks. We were grateful that they agreed to a short warm up and to kicking off a few mins later than the 1415 kick off.

A lot went our way early doors as we had talked at training about not letting Rovers settle into the match. It helped that we had the wind as Christian Selkirk and Nick Bellamy put in some early kicks to gain territory. Rovers often chose to run the ball out of their own 22m and were caught out after a Darren Kelly turnover. The ball was moved out wide through the backs to find Daniel Shuttleworth on the wing. He trundled over for the score to make it 5-0.

We then had a bit of disruption as Alex Littlefair caught a stray boot and had to come off. Louis Matthews on to make his debut, albeit for a brief period as Graeme Cooper played nurse in the absence of a physio and sent a patched up Littlefair back into the fray.

After 20 mins we had a midfield scrum and executed an 8/9/15 beautifully as Eoghan Phillips made a break down the outside. He eventually moved the ball back inside for Nick Bellamy to go in untouched. Novos out to a 10-0 margin and in control of the match.

Whilst we dominated possession and territory the game was a bit of an arm wrestle as we sapped energy out of the heavier Rovers pack. To their credit Rovers defended with passion and pride - keeping us out for the remainder of the half. We did not add to the score but our constant attack would go on to affect Rovers in the 2nd half.

Everyone off the bench at half time as Josh Stacey, Pat Smith and Louis Matthews came on. The latter was instrumental in lifting our energy levels with several carries. We scored first via a Shaun Stewart penalty - Sam Devey with the line break at the base of the ruck and a cynical penalty given away allowing Stewart to kick the goal. Novos up 13-0.

We messed up the kick off in comedic fashion and Rovers took advantage as we were penalised a few rucks later. The Rovers flyhalf stepped up and kicked a well struck goal to give them a lift.

Possession was still heavily in our favour as we started to edge the scrum battle and Tom Cox was causing mayhem when Rovers had a lineout. After a spell off pressure Rovers were deemed offside and again Shaun Stewart knocked it over to give us some breathing room at 16-3.

This seemed to empty the tanks of Rovers and the rest of the game was all Novos as we moved the ball two passes from the ruck and made some line breaks. After several goes at the line the ball was moved to Josh Stacey to crash over for his customary short ranged try. Conversion added to push us out of reach with 15 mins to go, 23-3 Novos.

Our next two tries were very popular as Darren Kelly broke from our own 22m with a perfect "crowbar" to make the coach proud. This took out the two defenders in front of him and released Jez Nash. In his 100th game, Nash stepped the last defender and raced the 50m to stretch over in the tackle. The lads are normally pretty reserved when we score but the majority of the side ran in to Nashy, knowing that it was a great memory he'd just created. Novos up 28-3.

The game finished with another try - Christian Selkirk with a beautifully executed kick over a ruck for Shaun Stewart to run onto. Incredibly pleasing moment as a coach given that we had just practiced this on Thursday at training. Conversion added to make the final score 35-3.

Thank you to Graham Crozier who got out of his sick bed to ref the game. Incredibly grateful that you did not cry off as it may have put the fixture in doubt.

Cheers to the Rovers lads who arrived late but didn't ask for unrealistic warm up time or demand to kick off late on one of our floodlight training pitches. Thought that you defended well but it was obvious there were a lot of changes as you lacked cohesion at times. This allowed us to have a lot of possession at times. You have had a great start to the season and I'm sure with consistent availability you will push for the top six.

Novos lads - incredible - our third game without conceding a try ! A great team effort with some stand out performances from Tom Cox, Alex Littlefair and a great cameo from Louis Matthews in the back. Out wide I thought Jez Nash and Jack Hearn organised us very well. It was great to see Nick Bellamy back in the side and Eoghan Phillips was dangerous every time he touched the ball.

Congratulations to Jez Nash on his 100th game for the club. Leads us with his desire to win on a Saturday and competes hard at training on a Tuesday and Thursday. Top lad and a great achievement - one of our players with county experience and he showed it on Saturday.

Next week we are away to Westoe - I will sadly be missing the game against my old club for a trip back to Aotearoa to see family. It will be a test of our depth as availability looks poor with some of our students leaving and old boys matches running as well. However, hopefully we may see the return of some of our students to replace them - Jonno Wilkes, Bruno Smith, Tommy Bilclough, Henry Wilson perhaps.

I wish everyone a merry xmas and a happy new year.

Up the Vos !