Walls not enough to keep Novos out.

Novos welcomed old foes Wallsend to Sutherland Park for the fourth league game of the campaign. Both side had played three and won two and games between the two sides are always close and hard fought so Novos. Many times in the past Wallsend have walked away from Sutherland Park with the points but it was not to be this time.

The game kicked off in lovely dry conditions and Novos were quickly in the ascendancy, Dan Bollado striking a well placed penalty within the first 5 minutes for 3-0.

The vocal Novos support, including some of our sponsors who generously support Novos did not have long to wait for the opening Novos try. A massive driving maul set up by Gavin Evans took the play deep in to Wallsend's half, Andy Maxwell supplied lightning fast ball to Rich Harrison and slick hands across the Novos back line sent Lawrence Goodman away to round his opposite number and the full back to score, Bollado made short work of the angle to slot the extra 2 points for 10 - 0 with 10 minutes gone.

Rich Harrison was next to score, the fly half, making his first start of the season stole on a mistake from Wallsend's stand off to dive in and score his first Novos try, Bollado again belting the conversion over, 17 - 0.

Novos were in irresistible form now and despite the usual tough tackling and aggression from Wallsend, they had no answer to Novos organisation and pace and when Steve Neill stepped around a tackle and set James Parkinson away only a last ditch tackle stopped the winger from scoring, the offload found the grateful Rich Harrison who again scored in the corner, Bollado made it 24 - 0 with the boot.

The four try bonus point was in the bag before half time, another step and break from Dan Bollado put him one on one with Wallsends full back and an outrageous second step saw him in under the posts - Novos went in at half time 29-0 up.

It was important for Novos to maintain discipline as despite the score, Wallsend never know when they are beaten and were likely to come back stronger in the second 40 minutes.

Indeed Wallsend did come back at Novos and put some pressure on Novos defence, but Novos have worked hard on defence in training and were able to tie up Wallsend strike runners and turn over a decent amount of ball. Disaster almost struck on 55 minutes when Gavin Evans was harshly sin binned, Wallsend had their strongest period of play in that time and their effort was rewarded when their scrum half found space to dart over from 30 yards.

It was Novos though who finished the stronger, a strong run from Dan Bollado created space for top try scorer James Bass who stormed over for 34 - 5 with his 6th try of the season.

Novos were really clicking now and Steve Neill broke again, electing a chip over the defence and James Parkinson arrived first to ground the ball and Bass this time added another 2 pointer for 41 - 5.

Steve Neill completed his brace, great work from Harrison put Bollado through the gap and Bollado drew the full back to put Neill away, Bollado again adding the conversion at 48-5.

The final try saw Harrison chip over the oncoming defence, this was well fielded by Wallsend's full back Peter Hamil, a great chase from Lawrence Goodman and James Bass produced the tackle of the day by Goodman and Bass followed in to win the ball. Jonny Smith lay in support to pick from the ruck and run in from 25 yards, but another touchline conversion could not be repeated from Bollado.

This was a strong showing from a Novos team starting to come in to form, three 50+ point wins in a row and the team playing with discipline and control and defencively with a lot more 'mongrel' than in recent years.

Next week Novos visit Rockliffe who must be due out from their indifferent early season form for another very tough afternoon on the coast.

With players returning next week and the form of the players currently in posession of the 1st team shirt and competition from a strong 2nd XV provides plenty of food for thought head coach Magnus Leask when he selects the side for that game!