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Sat 25 Oct 2014 · Durham/Northumberland Division One
1st XVGosforth
36
34
What a game!!!
David Addison30 Oct 2014 - 14:51
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Novos and Gosforth played out a Ringtons Tea Cup cracker at Sutherland Park, with Novos just edging the best game of rugby seen at Sutherland Park in
Peter Kay (Not that one!) came on to the wing for a memorable debut on his 18th Birthday following some hugely impressive displays for the colts and 2nds this season, Joe Stamper was welcomed back at number 9 and Angus Mack shuffled to centre after Lex Leonards injury ruled him out. The pack had a more familiar feel despite missing Jamie Wallace. The squad looked strong despite a growing injured contingent watching from the balcony!
Messrs Graeme Cooper, Andy Leonard and Chris Fife stood in for Mags who was off with Dame Allans at a tournament in the Czech republic… Very nice!
Ringtons Tea cup games are often close and tense affairs, especially at Sutherland Park, last season Gosforth won it with a last minute score and this season it was just as close, thankfully this time it was Novos who edged it and saw the cup return to Sutherland Park. This was a frantic game and wonderful advert for local rugby with both sides playing their part, no one being paid play just too good honest sides playing an open, hard but fair game of rugby.
Gosforth kicked off with the wind and set the tone with some huge tackles as Novos made some brave carries early on, Gosforth were a big set of lads and physical to boot, none more so than returning players Andy Scott and Jon Coffey, dangerous attackers and big tacklers.. However, it was Novos who opened the scoring with a crisp passing move that led to an early try for James Bass; which was unconverted. A second followed when James Bass chased a Kilgore up and under well and supported by Angus Mack stripped the ball from Gosforths winger, Jonny Ward showing soccer like skills (As opposed to a soccer like temper to kick ahead and ground a try to put Novos 10 – 0 up with 10 minutes played.
Gosforth then got on the front foot putting Novos under pressure close to their line, referee John Ash awarded a penalty to Gosforth, who elected to run it, and prop Andy Black crashed over for a try that Mark Anderson converted to narrow the points difference to 10-7. To there credit after suffering to early tries, Gosforth were well and truly back in the game and causing all sorts of problems for Novos. It was no surprise when Gosforth took the lead when an excellent sweeping, passing attacking move was supported by Gosforth flanker Adam Bell, who scored a try in the corner, giving the visitors a 12-10 lead.
Gosforth’s forward power and technique was beginning to tell and when a set up drive from which Gosforth skipper and no8 Chris Daly scored a try converted by Mark Anderson increasing Gosforth’s lead to 19-10 at half time, Novos feared the worst. Needing to get a handle on Gosforth’s powerful running and combative forwards in order to create some space for the backs was needed and with it Novos approached the 2nd half looking to be a bit more adventurous.
Novos kicked off the second half in great style and within minutes had scored a try, the ball being ripped out of Gosforth’s hands to give Matt Kilgore another try to add to the collection. Within a couple of minutes Novos had regained the lead, when fly-half, Rich Harrison, kicked and caught the ball, then crossed for a try that was converted to make the score 22-19. The lead was to change hands again when Dan Tucker took a well timed pass and scored a try to put Gosforth back 24-22 ahead; only for Novos to score from close range, after running a penalty close to the Gosforth line, with Ben Merrett emerging from the bottom of a drive to score, the conversion giving us a 29-24 advantage in this thrilling game. Gosforth turned it back around again, with a try for scrum half Mitchell Ashman, who eluded the home defence to ground the ball, levelling the scores at 29-29, The spectators daren’t even leave the pitchside or balcony for the buffet or for a beer such was the entertainment on show!.
Novos talented fullback, Jonny Ward, hit back again with a superb individual try, weaving at pace through the visitor’s defence, the conversion making it 36-29 with just a few minutes of the half remaining. Gosforth made a break, but the Novos defence remained resolute, until the strength of Jon Coffey earned him a try from close to the Novos line, and it was 36-34 with Gosforth fortunately missing the conversion.
The entertainment was still not over in a frantic final five minutes Gosforth threw everything into attack, but stout defence from Novos left them unable to snatch a late, late score. Novos won the match along with the Ringtons’ cup, which will sit proudly with us until the next time these 2 sides meet at Bullocksteads in the return fixture... Hopefully another try fest beckons!
Gosforth of course have found themselves returning to Bullocksteads for a season and aiming to make a return to Gosforth, An ambitious project which will see them return to near Red House Farm, will be great to see our old rivals return to Ne3 and again be neighbours and we wish them all the very best in their quest. It was also great to see Gosforth bring a large support and also hang around to socialise after the game, includuing many older faces, such as Mike Shoesmith, Andy Marwick, Kev Westgarth and Andy Cokeley, great to see these guys still visiting their old clubs and staying involved.
Was also great to hear, the 2nds continuing to climb the UBS Candy league with a win over Bishop Auckland and a great result for the thirds winning at Gosforth…. A clean sweep!
Novos are back on their travels next week, visiting another old rival in Ryton, who have been struggling in the league this season… As always though you can’t take games like that for granted and they will be dangerous fighting for points, as Novos were last season… Should be another great game in a hugely competitive league.
Messrs Graeme Cooper, Andy Leonard and Chris Fife stood in for Mags who was off with Dame Allans at a tournament in the Czech republic… Very nice!
Ringtons Tea cup games are often close and tense affairs, especially at Sutherland Park, last season Gosforth won it with a last minute score and this season it was just as close, thankfully this time it was Novos who edged it and saw the cup return to Sutherland Park. This was a frantic game and wonderful advert for local rugby with both sides playing their part, no one being paid play just too good honest sides playing an open, hard but fair game of rugby.
Gosforth kicked off with the wind and set the tone with some huge tackles as Novos made some brave carries early on, Gosforth were a big set of lads and physical to boot, none more so than returning players Andy Scott and Jon Coffey, dangerous attackers and big tacklers.. However, it was Novos who opened the scoring with a crisp passing move that led to an early try for James Bass; which was unconverted. A second followed when James Bass chased a Kilgore up and under well and supported by Angus Mack stripped the ball from Gosforths winger, Jonny Ward showing soccer like skills (As opposed to a soccer like temper to kick ahead and ground a try to put Novos 10 – 0 up with 10 minutes played.
Gosforth then got on the front foot putting Novos under pressure close to their line, referee John Ash awarded a penalty to Gosforth, who elected to run it, and prop Andy Black crashed over for a try that Mark Anderson converted to narrow the points difference to 10-7. To there credit after suffering to early tries, Gosforth were well and truly back in the game and causing all sorts of problems for Novos. It was no surprise when Gosforth took the lead when an excellent sweeping, passing attacking move was supported by Gosforth flanker Adam Bell, who scored a try in the corner, giving the visitors a 12-10 lead.
Gosforth’s forward power and technique was beginning to tell and when a set up drive from which Gosforth skipper and no8 Chris Daly scored a try converted by Mark Anderson increasing Gosforth’s lead to 19-10 at half time, Novos feared the worst. Needing to get a handle on Gosforth’s powerful running and combative forwards in order to create some space for the backs was needed and with it Novos approached the 2nd half looking to be a bit more adventurous.
Novos kicked off the second half in great style and within minutes had scored a try, the ball being ripped out of Gosforth’s hands to give Matt Kilgore another try to add to the collection. Within a couple of minutes Novos had regained the lead, when fly-half, Rich Harrison, kicked and caught the ball, then crossed for a try that was converted to make the score 22-19. The lead was to change hands again when Dan Tucker took a well timed pass and scored a try to put Gosforth back 24-22 ahead; only for Novos to score from close range, after running a penalty close to the Gosforth line, with Ben Merrett emerging from the bottom of a drive to score, the conversion giving us a 29-24 advantage in this thrilling game. Gosforth turned it back around again, with a try for scrum half Mitchell Ashman, who eluded the home defence to ground the ball, levelling the scores at 29-29, The spectators daren’t even leave the pitchside or balcony for the buffet or for a beer such was the entertainment on show!.
Novos talented fullback, Jonny Ward, hit back again with a superb individual try, weaving at pace through the visitor’s defence, the conversion making it 36-29 with just a few minutes of the half remaining. Gosforth made a break, but the Novos defence remained resolute, until the strength of Jon Coffey earned him a try from close to the Novos line, and it was 36-34 with Gosforth fortunately missing the conversion.
The entertainment was still not over in a frantic final five minutes Gosforth threw everything into attack, but stout defence from Novos left them unable to snatch a late, late score. Novos won the match along with the Ringtons’ cup, which will sit proudly with us until the next time these 2 sides meet at Bullocksteads in the return fixture... Hopefully another try fest beckons!
Gosforth of course have found themselves returning to Bullocksteads for a season and aiming to make a return to Gosforth, An ambitious project which will see them return to near Red House Farm, will be great to see our old rivals return to Ne3 and again be neighbours and we wish them all the very best in their quest. It was also great to see Gosforth bring a large support and also hang around to socialise after the game, includuing many older faces, such as Mike Shoesmith, Andy Marwick, Kev Westgarth and Andy Cokeley, great to see these guys still visiting their old clubs and staying involved.
Was also great to hear, the 2nds continuing to climb the UBS Candy league with a win over Bishop Auckland and a great result for the thirds winning at Gosforth…. A clean sweep!
Novos are back on their travels next week, visiting another old rival in Ryton, who have been struggling in the league this season… As always though you can’t take games like that for granted and they will be dangerous fighting for points, as Novos were last season… Should be another great game in a hugely competitive league.
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