Match Report

With the start of the New Year comes the new Candy League structure, and Novos find themselves in Conference C, along with Hartlepool Rovers, Northern 2’s, Bishop Auckland 2’s, Durham City 2’s, Corbridge Centurions, Gateshead 2’s, and this week’s opponents, Morpeth 2’s away.

This week Novos initially found themselves struggling to put out a full squad as many club members were either still not back from their Christmas break, or had other commitments, however with the help of a few regular 3rd team players they were able to put out a strong full 15, albeit without any subs. After some confusion before kick off with a mix up of kick-off time, and Morpeth struggling to find a front row, the game eventually got away on time and with Novos looking pumped for their first game of 2014, despite some of the lads playing out of position.

The first 25 mins was evenly matched with both sides exerting pressure where they could. Morpeth looked strong upfront and good with ball in hand, while Novos dominated in the scrums and held their discipline in defence to keep Morpeth out with some excellent upfront tackling in their own 22. However after numerous failed attempts Morpeth were able to run in the first try of the day with their 15 crashing through out wide to make it 5-0. Unfortunately 5 minutes later Novos were down to 14 as Gavin Evans picked up a yellow card for repeat offences. Novos did well to keep Morpeth out whilst being a player short thanks to some superb defensive organisation and big tackles around the fringes from Jake Pickering, JP Addison, and Andy Gardiner and in the midfield from Tommy Wilson Junior and David Marshall, however they were able to score again on the stroke of half time following a string of successive penalties for Novos ill-discipline. The score at half time: 10-0 to Morpeth.

At half time Morpeth were able to make some changes and bring on a couple of fresh legs, including an improved front row, and as Novos battled to hold the score at 10-0 they were beginning to feel the strain and picked up one or two knocks. 10 minutes into the second half, Morpeth were able to build on their lead with a strong driving scrum, which was driven straight into Novos own posts, and moved the score to 15-0. Shortly afterwards, Novos were once again down to 14 players as Evans was unable to continue due to injury. Despite this, Novos were close to scoring on two occasions, firstly with Andy Gardiner being disallowed a try, and secondly when Pickering, Bass, and Marshall linked up well on the Morpeth try line, but were unable to convert the pressure to points. Unfortunately the final 20 minutes proved just too much for Novos, as the bigger, fitter Morpeth were able to run in 3 tries, two out wide and one more driving scrum, one of which was converted, to take the score to 32-0, where it finished.

Despite the loss, Novos can take many positives away from their first game back after some Christmas indulgence and away against a side that in 2013 was in the higher of the two Candy League divisions: the forward pack showed just what being able to pick the same side consistently can do, as both line-outs and scrums looked strong, and defensively the pack was excellent. In the backs, even with a totally new line-up and with many players out of position, they were excellently organised and strong in defence, and which executed their moves clinically.

Particular thanks must go to Tommy Wilson Junior and David Marshall who had outstanding games in the midfield, and James Bass who stepped up to play 9, as well as Neil Spence, JP Addison, Alex Milton, and Andy Gardiner who battled as hard as always. Also many thanks to Adam Longstaff who helped out by playing on the wing so that we could field a full 15.

Novos man of the match, with his 2’s debut, was Jake Pickering.

Next week Novos 2’s face Corbridge Centurions away - let’s see everyone at training at 6.45 Tues and Thurs this week - remember to bring indoor and outdoor clothing to both sessions.

http://ubscandyleague.co.uk/index.html