Novos Climb The Table Despite Defeat

A week in the life of a Novos coach is never easy as Jonny Smith cried off on Friday with an injury and then Lex Leonard was unable to take the field for the match. However, back in came Tommy Goodman after having been unlucky to have missed out on original selection and Jason Collum rushed over from the twos game to take a spot on the bench. Also in attendance were Novos youngsters Stephen and Michael Nugent, getting to know the lads a little bit better as they look to feature in the first team squad in coming weeks.

The game got underway in great conditions as the money spent on the first team pitch showed it was money well spent with all the rain this week. Well done to all involved !

Stockton started strongly and went ahead with an unconverted try.

Novos responded with a well worked try with some great passing from backs and forwards. Resulting in Matthew Kilgore going over for a try converted by senior colt Peter Kay. Novos 7-5

The lead changed several times in this match as Stockton applied some pressure and kicked a penalty from in front of the posts. Stockton 10-7.

We were playing pretty well and Jonny Ward was making yards from the back. On one occasion he made a break and off loaded to support, more inter play from the three quarters and Rich Harrison was in for a try. Novos 12-10 at half time.

Half time chat about staying calm and getting our structure right. Stockton however had other ideas as they kept it tight and scored within minutes of the restart. Stockton 17-12.

Novos scrum was now starting to edge the set piece battle and our lineout was securing a lot of possession. We came back on attack and Ben Forbes scorched in, again converted by 18 year old Peter Kay. Novos 19-17 up in a back and forth match.

Stockton now started to get under our skin and we lost a little bit of focus which allowed them to kick a few penalties and score an unconverted try. This was countered by Peter Kay kicking an important penalty to ensure a tense ending to a entertaining game. Stockton 28-22 with two mins to go.

We turned over a Stockton scrum and then scored a fine try to Jonny Ward, with some fine play straight off the training ground. With Novos needing the conversion to win we watched the ball drift wide of the post and had to settle for two losing bonus points.

Stockton deserved to win as they took all the points that were on offer to them and found away to stop us from playing and focusing on our rugby.

Thank you to John Ash who endured a difficult day with the whistle as he was constantly harassed by players, supporters and coaches.

To our lads, loads of positives as our forwards edged the set piece battle despite the first few scrums and we won almost all our line outs.

Next week we have an away trip to Sunderland much to the delight of myself, Iain Dodds and Luke Menzfeld as we return to a place which holds many happy memories of university rugby.

See you all at Druids on Tues and Thurs for training !