Novos Dragged Back Into The Mix

Novos went into this match with a good training session on Wednesday with the Falcons looking at the breakdown. However, a poor turn out from first team players on Thursday saw us unable to fully focus on preparing for a very important match.

Despite some early Novos pressure Gateshead worked their way into Novos 22m and scored after outflanking the Novos defence. Gateshead 7-0.

Novos responded with a good kick off and some sustained pressure. Camping in the opposition 22m our loose forward trio were turning over ball at will. On one such occasion the ball was released to Jan Safranek who raced in for a try, converted by Richard Dodd. Level at 7-7.

The game was evenly contested as both sides made some breaks but did not capitalise. Gateshead were making a lot of mistakes but it was a costly error by Novos that led to the next score. Another turnover by the loose forwards on our goal line gave us an overlap. A wiser decision would perhaps to have been kick and chase. However, it is our way to run first think later at times. We went for it and the ball was intercepted in front of our posts. Gatesheads kept the ball until the scored. Gateshead 12-7.

This only spurred Novos into a real spell of dominance as we continued to make breaks and tightened up our defence just before the end of the first half. First of all we broke from our goal line via Safranek skinning his man on the outside. He then chipped and chased, with the ball eventually landing in the hands of Jez Nash who after a bit of wrestling touched the ball down. However, the ref was about 30m behind play and ruled held up. Novos did not complain, just got on with the scrum. Their positive outlook brought reward as they kept possession for multiple phases until Ben Merrett scored, again converted by Dodd. Novos 14-12.

Novos secured the kick off and went on the attack again. The team was playing well and were again able to work a fine team try to Safranek. This made the half time score 19-12 Novos.

Gateshead came out a different side in the second half as we were unable to play for territory. Our opponents scored a converted try to level the scores at 19-19.

Line breaks were still pretty even as we matched Gatesheads strength in midfield. However, they were able to work up the field at times and duly won a penalty in front of the posts. The opted to kick for goal and went 22-19 up.

Novos came back into the game but often pushed a pass or again failed to kick their way out of trouble. Under some pressure we conceded back to back penalties. Gateshead scored under the posts on a quick tap to extend the score to 29-19.

This is how the match finished after a second half where Novos failed to score a point. A match we probable should have won but we lost lineouts at crucial times and bombed a couple of tries by forcing overloads.

We perhaps deserved something out of the game but I also believe you win and lose for a reason. At critical times in the match we made errors that either led to points or denied us from scoring.

The lads put in a great effort and again represented the Novos shirt with pride. However, we need to learn how to control matches via our tactics and structure. This can only be practised on the training pitch so we need to ensure we keep learning as we seek to avoid relegation.

Thanks to the ref, Ray Sutherland. It was nice to see a match with no yellow cards for a change.

We are still in charge or our own destiny but need to try and keep picking up points in our final three games.

A massive effort is required over the next three weeks by the players to go out of their way and make themselves available. We still have three massive matches and a second team cup final to look forward to lads.

See you all at training at the club on Tuesday and Thursday.