Novos 2nd XV 53 - 31 Westoe 2nd XV

Playing against a Westoe team, who were undoubtedly looking for revenge after the victory in South Shields a fortnight ago. Captain Ben Melrose elected to make changes to the side which turned over Horden last week. Returns for: Ben Kelly, Matt Barraclough, Joel McKale, and Michael Stowe and debuts for Frenchman Vincent Wiel, and back-rowers George Davidson and Jahan Jhala punctuated a strong looking second team.

As Westoe - due to unavailability, brought only 9 players, the game was reduced to 12 a side with the teams losing 2 flankers and a winger; with Michael Nugent, Peter Wilson and Jahan Jhala becoming Westoe players for the first half. On a smaller pitch, one which played into the strengths of a massive Westoe team who significantly outweighed a smaller Novocastrians team, the first half started briskly with great interchanges between the backs allowing Ben Kelly to run in for the first of his FIVE (!!) tries on the day. Even though the smaller Novocastrians pack were struggling at scrum time, a score by Vice-captain Alex Milton made it a two try game. Sandwiched in-between the Milton score and tries for debutant George Davison, Angus Duncan and another Ben Kelly score; Westoe managed to score a try through great work in the forwards.

After a few changes at half time: Jhala and Wilson swapping with Jonathan Bird and Will Doyle as Westoe players for the day and Michael Stowe making his return replacing Matt Barraclough at hooker. A sloppy first ten minutes of the second half, punctuated by missed tackles and poor communication allowed Westoe to run in 4 tries; including two from Novocastrians own Michael Nugent. Even with the sloppiness in defence, the masterclass in the backs continued with Ben Kelly running in 3 more tries and Angus Duncan scoring his second, Ben Kelly earning a deserved man of the match award for his exploits today. A dishonourable mention on this report must go to Joel McKale for his scream when tackling Michael Nugent, followed by a ‘sorry nuge’. An infamous moment.
Next week the super 2s are away at Corbridge, in what promises to be a tough challenge.

Final Score: Novocastrians 53-31 Westoe