Breaking News! Novos love the mud!!

Both sides were delighted that the game could go ahead despite some obvious issues with the paddock. The ref solved some problems by finding a bucket and scooping water from the field. Good on him !

For the second week running Novos were quick out of the blocks and scored a good early try. We worked the ball up field and at the ruck Wallsends hooker lazily stayed on the short side rather than work around the corner. Ben Merrett spotted his opportunity and broke away, some nice passing put Pete Twentyman in for what has to be his longest ever run to the try line.. 15m ?! All eyes were then on Dan Bollado after a horror kicking show last week. Dan stepped up and a sweet strike saw the ball sail down the middle ! 7-0 Novos

The forwards were dominating at scrum time, yes that's right Novos were going forward in a scrum. (must be all that scrum work we have been doing) The backs were making some breaks running around their massive centre. However, a change in tactics saw Luke Mitchell run straight at the bloke and come off second best. In a contest where he was down at least 5 stone there was only going to be one winner. However, the ref correctly deemed no arms in the tackle (just stomach) Dan stepped up again for another nicely struck penalty. Novos 10-7

Time to kick on ? No. Wallsend were awarded several penalties and used this to boot the ball down field. On top of this we did not clear our lines very well and were inviting pressure upon ourselves. Eventually, pressure told and Wallsend scored a well desreved converted try.

Halftime Novos 10-7.

By the time we kicked off the second half you could not tell either side apart due to the mud bath.

Wallsend were perhaps playing the conditions better than us as the Novos backs dropped a lot of ball. Their flyhalf kicked well throughout and controlled the territory game. Being at the right end of the field eventually resulted in a penalty kick to Wallsend. 10-10, game on.

Despite Wallsend being on the up it was the Novos pack that decided the outcome of the game. Finally, some keep ball.. ruck after ruck moving up the field. The Novos pack who dominated their opposition for long periods were within sight of the try line ! A few more drives from the forwards and the ball then found Pete in space again. Novos were delighted with the pitch conditions allowing Pete to slide in from about 10 m out leaving 2-3 Wallsend defenders in his wake ! Novos 15-10.

Two mins to hold out. Novos kept the ball for the last two mins with ease. More pick n go calls, a break from the backs and the final whistle went with Wallsend on the back foot.

Novos win 15-10 in a game that we could easily have lost. No bonus point win however doing the double over Wallsend was never going to be easy. Conditions were awful and praise should go to the ref who ran the game well. All this despite not being able to tell the teams apart and areas of the field not marked out due to the recent rain.

We then enjoyed some great hospitality from Wallsend and all got warm again !

Then onwards back to Novos for Lawson Casino Night. What a night it was ! Next week we are at home to Whitley Bay. Prior to this match fitness training continues on Monday at the Marines Base and then on Thursday at Bullocksteads.