GUTSY FIGHTBACK BY DEFEATED NOVOS

Novos went into this game relatively settled with only one squad change as Peter Kay opted out in order to study and was replaced by James Bass. Training had been great this week and we were looking forward to putting the Sunderland performance behind us.

We started well with the forwards gaining ground at ease around the ruck with Josh Stacey perhaps making most of the hard yards. However, we lost possession and Gateshead were able to turn defence into attack. This occurred often during the first half as we coughed up the ball only to see Gateshead counter with their fast and clinical backs.

They raced out to a 22-0 lead in the first 30 mins with two nice tries, a penalty and one incredibly soft try from a lineout. We had gone a bit flat after a good start to the game. At times like this we often look to Jonny Ward for a moment of magic and it came just before half time when he gathered a beautiful cross field kick from Matt Kilgore to score wide out. 22-5 to Gateshead but we had gained some confidence and perhaps saw that we could kick in behind their inexperienced wingers.

From the kick off we went on the attack again, the forwards rampaging around the fringes. From one resulting ruck, Rich Harrison executed a perfect kick for Ward to run thru and get his second of the day, converted by Kilgore.

Novos were flying in the last ten mins of the half against a tiring Gateshead side. On one counter attack Ward passes to Ben Forbes (then Ward is smashed without the ball, no arms in the tackle) who skinned his man and left the cover defence and the linesman behind him. Then every coach/linesmans nightmare occurred when Forbes stood on the touch line. Gutted, had to put the flag up ! Hope other coaches would do the same !!! No chat from the ref regarding the late hit, looked like a bad one.

Gateshead up 22-12 at half time but Novos building into an entertaining game.

The lads had done well to claw their way back into a game that looked gone after 30 mins. Early in the second half we again piled on the pressure with some telling kicks into Gateshead territory. Then from a lineout 10m from Gatesheads line Ben Merrett snatched up the ball and dotted down. Conversion added by Kilgore. Gateshead's lead cut to 22-19 fifteen minutes left.

We were pretty much on top now although Gateshead were continuing to make a few line breaks but were no longer finishing them off. After a series of attacks and penalties close to the Gateshead line we put away a 3 on 2 down the blindside for Ward to nab his third and put us into the lead 24-22, nine mins to go.

Crazy game where Gateshead had scored 22 unanswered points and then we had topped them by bagging 24 in a row.

Novos had kicked pretty well most of the game and Gateshead were always willing to run it back. With 8 mins to go their wing fielded a kick and looked to counter with their full back in support on the inside. Dummy throw, dummy taken as a Novos player clatters into the supporting player who did not have the ball. Ref brandishes a yellow...hmm...and all the elderly rugby men at the ground realise it is a game changer. Four mins to go and Gateshead create the overlap with Novos down to 14. They convert this time and go ahead 29-24 and manage to soak up the pressure we applied in the last min or two. Gutted !

Unsure what to say about the game as at 22-0 down we should never really have got into a lead at 24-22.... but we did ! So delighted with the spirit we showed to come back into the match and thought the environment was much better than a week before against Sunderland.

It was great to see the Aliks from Gateshead again. Happy to meet some old mates who I put into the Gateshead team when they were just 17 !

Thank you to the ref who had his first game at this level, his second game of the day after seeing him whistle Dame Allans vs Harton Comp ! Obviously a great rugby lad if he is willing to give up all of his Saturday to allow some lads to throw a rugby ball about ! Enjoyed our chat in the bar afterwards and hope he continues with his progression.

Our lads, two away matches to finish the year against Durham City and then Consett. Let's keep battling and putting in the huge amounts of effort we have been at training. Need everyone available as we again seek to put out four sides !!