We had a good weeks preparation at training focusing on the need to tackle Ryton's big runners low and play a high tempo brand of rugby, whilst respecting the need to beat them up front. However, we started this game on the back foot as Ryton came straight at us and we decided to try and tackle them high. Only one winner in a first half dominated by Ryton's ball carrying eight and twelve.

We were our own worst enemies throughout this match and the first instance of this was when Jonny Ward was fouled at a ruck but took the law into his own hands and was rightly shown a red card. Then Rich Dixon received a yellow card as a Ryton player was shown that he was perhaps on the wrong side of the ruck. Again, a correct decision from the ref and we were down to 13. During this time Ryton deservedly built up a 21-0 lead as we fell off tackles.

Just before the end of the first half we were restored to 14 men and got into the game via our now dominant pack. A great catch and drive saw Iain Dodds crash over and we hoped that this would spur us on for a spirited second half performance. Ryton 21- Novos 5.

Some calm words at half time about what we can control and a desire to not let the red card be a reason for losing, we tore into Ryton. After some good team play, Rich Harrison lobbed a defender with a now trademark netball pass and Chris Ward sped in at the corner to make it 21-10, game on.

Ryton with a man advantage for almost 60 mins of this match responded as they went into our 22m. From a period of pressure Peter Kay was rightly given a yellow card for a deliberate knock on. Down to 13 men and only five metres from our line we tore into them and forced them all the way back out of our 22m. However, Chris Ward received a rather harsh yellow card at the resulting ruck despite Ryton appearing to be the ones under pressure from our spirited defence. Now down to 12 men Ryton did enough to eventually score and extend their lead to 28-10.

Novos are a pretty tight knit group and the crowd then saw a real turn around in the game as the 12 men of Novos took on Ryton head on. Some great carrries from the lads, especially Josh Stacey and Stuart Wilson eventually led to the 12 men crashing over, Stacey the tryscorer. Peter Kay added the conversion from wide out. Ryton 28-17.

At this stage of the match we were restored to 14 men and that just gave us more momentum. We went on the attack into Ryton's 22m and they gave away several penalties leading to their only yellow card of the day. This time Wilson was the forward to crash over for a try, converted by Kay. Ryton 28, Novos 24, surely not ?!

Only two mins to go and we were back in Ryton's 22m ! A serious of lineouts and scrums were defended by Ryton and resulted in penalties. We really had them under the cosh as we were awarded three penalties five metres from their line. However, on the third occasion we tapped and went and made an error leading to the final whistle. Ryton win 28-24.

Thank you to Anthony Manley for reffing the game. He gave us three yellow and a red card and I could not really disagree with any of them.

We tackled very poorly in the first half during a flat start to the game. At 21-0 the game was almost beyond us after only 30 mins. We must improve our discipline for Wednesdays cup semi final at Kingston Park (2000 kick off) versus Berwick. If we get 3 yellows and a red with one ref, God knows what will happen against Berwick with a team of 3 officials !!

Before that we have training as usual - Tuesday the first team will have a Captains Run, Thursday we will focus on the 2s and 3s cup matches.

C'mon Vos, lets try and get all the top three sides into cup finals. What a historic achievement that would be for the club !