Guisbrough were the first visitors to Sutherland Park in league rugby this season and were last years runners up, so it was a big test for us against one of the promotion favourites. The side was as selected with the exception of a late withdrawal due to work for Darren McCrory which handed a debut to Ryan Collins-Thomas from the bench.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine and Novos were dealt an early blow when beanpole stat machine Chris Ward was forced off with a hip injury after just 90 seconds which handed Oli Dearden a first team debut. It got worse when Guisbroughs big runners steam rollered over after 10 minutes to open the scores and convert for 7-0.

Guisbrough were big and very physical, especially the number 8 and prop and they caused lots of problems all day, it was a big run from those 2 that set their winger away to score out wide, more bad luck following as winger James Bass was forced off with a nasty broken nose that will leave him out of action for a while, Ryan Collins – Thomas replacing him.

It was looking a bit ominous for Novos at this point but a flash of brilliance from young Jack Callaghan saw a deft chip collected by Jonny Ward who raced away to score an converted try. This gave Novos new belief and moments later Stewart added a penaly to take the score to 14 – 10. Unfortunately Guisbrough struck just on stroke of half time to leave the scores 19 – 10 going into the break.

The second half was much better from Novos, first Steve Neill streaked away from the Guisbrough defence to score a great solo effort to get Novos right back into the game with Stewart adding the conversion for 19 – 17 and Novos gained the lead moments later when Ryan Collins-Nash supported another Neill break to score in the corner, Stewart missed the conversion but Novos edged ahead 22 – 19. Veteran prop, Dave Addison was then called in to the action to replace Jim Higginson .

Guisbrough’s response was to follow in with 2 tries, 1 converted and they led 31 – 22 with just 15 minutes on the clock, and Novos faced the prospect of gaining no points despite a plucky effort. Shaun Stewart slotted a penalty to get us within striking distance at 31 – 25.

The game was finely poised and Novos were given a sniff of a chance. Guisbrough were now on the back foot and a block busting run from Mikey Baker set up a ruck on Guisbrough’s 22, guisbrough infringed and from the penalty the referee indicated it would be last play. Shaun Stewart who was having a great game in the back row tapped and beat 3 defenders on route to a try under the posts…. Guisbroughs full back had other ideas pulling off a certain match winning tackle to leave Shaun’s effort inches short. Guisbrough stole the ball but hurried the clearance and this was gratefully scooped up by youngster Jan Safranek to score out wide. With Stewart injured Callaghan could not convert from the touchline leaving Novos agonisingly close to a massive upset on the opening day of the season. Just losing 31 – 30 and gaining many plaudits from the opposition who had surely expected an easier afternoon.

Next week Novos face Horden, Away from home, they have set the early league pace after a 60 point demolition job on Consett and the challenges continue to mount on a Novos side counting the walking wounded after this weekends bruising encounter.