In a game of two halves, both dominated by Gateshead's backs our opponents were able to record a victory of 14 tries to 6. Apparently, the final score was 91-36 but I wasn't counting !

Let's focus on the positives. Despite two cry offs on Friday adding to unavailability (Graham. Dias, Menzfeld, Sorenson, Spoor, Harrison, Dodds, Busby, Kilgore, Mitchell, Ward, Bass) we were still able to put out 18 registered players and two other sides. So congrats to our team captains in all the running about they have done this week !

The game itself was very competitive upfront and over the 80 mins we probably edged the scrum battle whilst Gateshead perhaps had the upper hand in the first few scrums. The vast difference was in the backs where an experienced and slightly balding Gateshead midfield were able to break the line at will. Thereafter, they had three very quick outside backs to do the finishing. They looked very well coached in their formative years ! Novos could learn a lot from the fact that many of the Gateshead players have been together for many seasons and playing week in and week out makes a big difference when it comes to cohesion.

The crowd were treated to a spectacle of running rugby which saw 20 tries but not too many conversions as the posts got hit 4-5 times ! We contributed 6 tries, possibly to Alex Littlefair, Jan Safranek, Josh Igoe (2), Ben Merrett and Pete Twentyman. It was hard for me to remember who scored as I watched a large part of the game through my fingers ?!?

Thanks to Will Halford for overseeing the match. All the players agreed that they wish they had him every week as at times it appeared that the game had no ref ! During 80 mins there were 6 penalties issued and no real questioning of decisions from either team at any stage.

Cheers to Gateshead, was great to see some old friends... even though it was just watching them run into the distance ! Thought they showed great humility and dignity in what was a one sided game and cant recall any of their players rubbing the score line in.

For us, a big week at training as the firsts have Ponteland on Easter Saturday in the Plate Cup Final - 1600 at Morpeth. Then we close the season off with the 2's and 3's cup finals before the 2's then have the Candy Cup Final the week after. A big three weeks in what could be a historic season for the club. Let's start sprinting over the finish line and not limp towards it ! C'mon Vos !!