Novos went into this match hoping to repeat their home victory over Gosforth and secure the clubs first ever double over nearby neighbours, Gosforth. It was a beautiful day at Bullocksteads although the wind was blowing fairly strongly. No real changes to the squad apart from Josh Igoe starting as Chris Ward moved to the bench.

Gosforth kicked off into the wind and Novos won the early territory battle via some telling kicks from Rich Harrison and Richard Dodd. After a period of sustained pressure, Gosforth conceded a penalty which was converted by Rich Dixon, Novos up 3-0.

Novos again controlled territory nicely and after some great work by the backs, Rich Harrison crashed over in a tackle to extend Novos lead to 8-0.

It was never going to be one way traffic in a derby game and Gosforth came up with their best period of play after some good carrying. Gosforth pack were making some yards as Novos looked to go high and stop any off loads. After one too many ineffective tackles Gosforth broke through and scored to make it 8-5 at half time.

After a quick chat about how we were going to play against the wind we looked to win the battle for the gain line. However, Gosforth were naturally starting to peg us back into our own half. Another break by the Gosforth centre led to an overlap which was put away and Gosforth got their first lead at 10-8.

Captain, Alex Littlefair got the lads together and asked for a response which was immediate. Novos secured the kick off and piled on the pressure deep into Gosforth territory. Some pressure applied at scrum time led to Novos back row working together to put Jack Spoor over and give Novos back the lead at 13-10, twenty mins to go.

Both sides were not playing that well which just made the game a tight affair as neither side wanted to make mistakes near their line. Then a clearance kick from Novos which was poorly chased in midfield allowed Gosforth to make a break. We looked like we had kept them out put it was adjudged that the Gosforth centre had just made the line. Gosforth 15-13 up with only ten mins to go.

Again, Novos responded as we turned a lot of Gosforth's possession over via choke tackles and collapsed mauls, much to the annoyance of the Gosforth players and crowd. Laws are laws however and the ref applied them correctly. From one collapsed maul a Gosforth player was penalised and up stepped Richard Dodd to calmly slot the penalty. Novos up 16-15 with just mins to go.

Gosforth did not give up and somehow managed a tighthead despite being hammered in the scrums all day. They looked in for all money but butchered two over laps. We made the ruck unplayable and perhaps were lucky not to be penalised in front of the posts. Final whistle, victory at last despite possibly I worst performance of the month ?!

Thank you to Ross for taking charge of the game. Not an easy game for a 17 year old to ref but I thought he applied the laws with confidence and if he works hard, has a bright future. I was not happy at all how the Gosforth players spoke to him at the end of the game and they reluctant to let him through the tunnel at the end. If pl;ayers had a better understanding of the laws of the game perhaps both sides would not argue with decisions as much.

Great win for our lads, a historic double of Gosforth. Great scenes at the club on Saturday night as our 2's and 3's progressed in their cup matches. Next for us is a home game on Saturday vs Ryton and then a massive cup semi against Berwick at Kingston Park on Wed 4th March at 2000.

A big month of rugby ahead for the club !