Two Points Lost Perhaps

Novos travelled to Stockton on the back of a bonus point win, a win in this match would bring them a point behind Stockton in the league. However, a 26-26 draw took place in good conditions for running rugby. The game itself was packed full of incidents.

The momentum gained last Saturday slowed into todays game as Stewart, Nash and Harrison, Higginson and Baker all declared unavailable. However, this gave an opportunity for new lads Ieuan Jones and Richard Dodds to try and cement a spot for the closing weeks of the season.

A mistake from the kick off allowed Stockton early possession in our half. They were good enough to keep the ball for several minutes and eventually Novos conceded a penalty, converted by the Stockton kicker - 3-0 Stockton.

From the kick off it was Novos opportunity to gather momentum and a great try was scored. Novos headed into the middle, then broke back down the blind via Scott Elliott. Some soft inter passing put speedster Ben Forbes in the corner. Novos 5-3.

The game itself was pretty even with Stockton carrying pretty well and making some breaks by their elusive scrum half and full back. Novos were tackling well and trying to get to half time to turn around down the hill.

Up the hill, Novos looked to have scored a game changing try from Elliott, after a cracking break down the sideline. Conversion added by Dodds. Novos 12-3.

Stockton completed the first half scoring with a penalty. Novos 12-6 at half time.

Ben Merrett came on, having returned from Mew Zealand earlier in the week.

However, it was Stockton who scored first with a fine try but the conversion hit the post. Novos 12-11.

This was always going to be a tight game and it continued to see-saw as one team then the other attacked. Next to score were Novos with another try to the non side stepping speedster Forbes, conversion again from Dodds. Novos 19-11.

Again Stockton responded, another penalty after numerous penalty's against Novos for the same offences. The coach should perhaps take some of the blame as twice Novos were penalised for something the learn to do at training ! Ref had enough and Ben Merrett yellow carded after 50 mins for repeated team infringements. Novos 19-14.

Novos despite the penalty count mounting were starting to play some really good rugby. Some fantastic defence caused a turnover, two passes away and we were running the length of the field. Try and conversion to Dodds 26-14.

The game changed on sixty mins after a high tackle by Jonny Ward. He got up straight away and started apologising to his opponents. Only to be whacked in the face by a Stockton player who ran to the scene. Yellow card for Ward, however as he was walked off the ref overheard some foul language and rightly showed him a red card.

Prior to this Stockton had looked a spent force but the extra man advantage allowed them to dominate possession. Novos hardly saw the ball again in the last 20 mins and tackled their hearts out for the cause.

Eventually, all the possession told and Stockton scored two tries, the last one came in injury time. The kick was missed from the corner and the game ended in a 26-26 draw.

Some real positives from this game against a side above us in the league. The scrum won our own ball, the lineout went very well, the new lads continued to impress and Dan Bollado looked back to his old self.

A couple of issues however. First of all we need to get off the back of the ref. The players were heavily penalised at times and did not give any back chat. Yet time and time again I could hear our supporters barracking him. We need to stop this behaviour. I am grateful that people would come and want to watch us at all. However, we must help the players not hinder them by shouting at an official. I do my best to respect the ref, hoping that my players will also do so.

We would have won this game comfortably if we had of got some ball in the last twenty mins when they were tired. However, the red card gave them momentum. Hopefully, Jonny will have learnt his lesson, remembering this is a player that has one us several games by himself in the past year and a half. Whilst, I cant justify his behaviour, the fact that he had just been punched in the head caused his red mist to continue longer than usual.

This week brings an away trip to Rovers. We should go there with confidence, obtaining eight points in the past two games.