Corbridge Centurions 32 - 39 Novos 2nd XV

This Saturday, on the day England were unceremoniously dumped out of the World Cup, the Novocastrians were able to bring some form of rugby joy in a thrilling 39-32 last minute victory against Corbridge Centurions.

Captain Ben Melrose made 5 changes to the squad which turned over Westoe last week, bringing JP Addison in at hooker, Andy Gardiner into the second row, Maxy back into scrum-half, James Parkinson onto the wing, and Jonny Ward at fullback.

The first half started briskly, with Novos looking to play enterprising, fluid rugby; a policy which paid off when Ben Kelly ran in for a well-deserved early score. Greg Humphreyson with the conversion. Novos continued this style of play throughout the first portion of the half, commanded by Maxwell and Humphreyson. Pressure from a lineout deep into the Corbridge half allowed Alex Milton to put Jonny Bird over with a sensational pass, putting Novos up 12-0. Problems began to occur in the later portion of the half as a resurgent Corbridge side - on the back of strong forward play - scored three times with Novos only reply being a George Davidson try meaning the two teams were level going into the second half.

The second half was a feisty affair with both teams going back and forth at each other, throwing everything they had into this gruelling, physical affair. Three tries for Novos including tries for Jonny Bird and International Syalons Man of the Match George Davidson, followed up with a second Jonny Bird score were all nullified by a Corbridge team who managed three of their own. Even with an increasingly fiery game, highlighted by thuggery by certain members of the opposition and a referee who was tentative to card any players for ill-discipline, Novos kept their composure and began to take a foothold on a match which was entering its dying moments all square at 32-32. Novos on the last play of the game, managed claim the win thanks to a sublime individual try from full-back Jonny Ward, who carved up a tiring Corbridge defence for the game-winning score with time expiring. The Ward score capping off a fantastic day for the Novocastrians 2nd XV, an example England could not follow later on.

Our thanks go to Corbridge Centurions for an excellent and closely fought match, and our thanks and apologies go to the match referee, James Robson, who was in charge of his very first senior match - I'm sure he'll never forget "the worst 80 minutes" of his life!!

Next week we are at home to Medicals 2nd XV in their first game of the season, which again will be a 12.00 KO, and will see Novos top the Candy 2 North following a win.