The Avengers - Part Two

Going into the game on the back of some fantastic training sessions we were as ready as we could have been. Tactics agreed upon and practised during the week with our Antipodean coaches.

Some frantic early exchanges from both sides lead to chances at either end. It was Redcar that bagged the first try with a well worked score. Redcar 7-0.

After calming ourselves under the post we went on the attack. On the back of a scrum that was murdering our opposition we controlled territory and possession. Adhering to our game plan was reaping benefits as we headed into the middle. A break by Dan Bollado saw him beat several tacklers for a fine try, which he duly converted. 7-7.

Again, controlling the kick off we kicked back into Redcar territory. Scrum after scrum should have resulted in a blatant penalty try but we were denied on this occasion. Still camped in Redcars 22m Rob Squire looked like he should have been penalised for crossing. Without taking the ball Rob was hit with a swinging arm. Rob to his credit jumped straight back up which perhaps helped the Redcar player in only getting a yellow card.

With a man advantage and playing some smart rugby we managed a score via Ben Walker. No breathing space however as Redcar quickly kicked a penalty to make the score Novos 12-10.

Redcar made some breaks but were stopped by some good scrambling defence. They were made to pay as we went up the other end and scored a well worked try. Once again, the lads stuck to tactics - into the middle, a quick reverse of play led to Ben Walker going in for his second try. Novos 17-10.

The second half was packed full of incidents. As our dominant scrum led to injuries to Redcar players, the scrums went to uncontested. Next incident, Harrison felled an opponent with a dangerous high tackle. Unlike the earlier incident Redcar players came piling in. Their 5 & 11 ran over twenty metres to get in a fight. After several punches to a Novos player on the floor the ref yellow carded the Recar second row. For some reason this caused the ref to forget about our player who should really have got a yellow card.

The penalty was reversed and Bollado stepped up and slotted the penalty despite being booed whist taking the kick. Novos 20-10.

Redcar were inspired by the feeling of being victimised. We knew they would not roll over and they went on to play some really good rugby and got a deserved score. Novos 20-17 with five mins to play.

Due to the injuries, chats about them dropping a player and the fight there was ten mins of time added ! On top of this Redcar were flying. The made several breaks and could easily have scored again. However, Novos were able to absorb the pressure and went up the other end and scored a great counter attacking score thru Walker (hat trick hero)

The match was a cracker - Novos win 25-17, including a bonus point and more importantly denying Redcar of any pts.

Thanks go to the ref who's decision making was very good in general.

Thanks also to Redcar for a great game and the hospitality before and after was top class. We wish them luck for the rest of the season and know they wont go away as their run in is perhaps easier than ours.

For us, Barnard Castle at home next week and our other sides have some massive cup semi finals. Training this week is Monday at the Marines and Thursdays sessions focus will be on our second team so lets all get down please lads.

Final comment on the game - great win lads but this shows what we can achieve. We cant let yesterdays result be undone by relaxing against a Barnard Castle side that have been boosted with some players from Mowden. Lets pour into training like we did last week and have another great day next Saturday.