A Sloppy Scrappy Saturday

On Saturday the 6th of January Novos 2s travelled to face Sunderland 2s away in Sunderland. Novo’s were greeted with a wet muddy sloped pitch and with no substitutes available we knew it was going to be a tough game.

Novos kicked off facing up the slope with Sunderland carrying hard working their way into the Novos 22. It was a mere 5 minutes before the referee had stopped the game due to some “disputes” at a breakdown with the Sunderland and Novo’s packs being right in the middle of it all, with Sunderland’s number 8 getting rather mouthy. Sunderland were awarded multiple penalties but some solid Novo’s defence from Shaun Stewart and Alex Cokeley managed to keep them away from the try line. Novo’s managed to win the ball back however shortly after gave a penalty away.

Sunderland decided to kick for touch and won the subsequent lineout. However more incredible defence from Novo’s managed to keep them at bay. It was then Novo’s turn to try and push Sunderland back with a strong carry and linebreak from prop David Lawson. Novo’s were playing excellent rugby given the tough conditions and managed to win a few penalties and lineouts. Novo’s first real threat came after a lineout with Harry Jones offloading the ball to fullback Adam Lambert who managed to get it to Charlie Fairbairn on the wing. Fairbairn then produced a Marcus Smith esc goose step to get round Sunderland’s defence. More strong carriers from Shaun Stewart in the forwards and centres Tim Hart and Dan Vicary meant Novo’s were working their way up the pitch.

Luke Masters worked his way outside on the right wing and then a linebreak from Adam Lambert gave Novo’s a glimpse of hope for a try in the first half, however a phase later the ball was knocked on. Sunderland kicked for touch and their lineout managed to secure them a try just before the half ended. 7-0 to Sunderland.

Novos were hopeful going into the second half with everyone still feeling fresh and ready to fight back for a try after a solid defensive first half. Sunderland were quick to win a penalty about 4 meters out from the Novos try line and to everyone’s disbelief they opted to kick for points and secured them. 10-0 to Sunderland.

It wasn’t long before Novos found themselves pushed back again and after an uncontested Sunderland scrum, Novos managed to turn the ball over after more great defence from the likes of Zac Smith and Darren Kelly. Novos were quick to try get the ball into Sunderland’s 22 with another linebreak from David Lawson and strong carries from Dylan Mills, Zac Smith and Shaun Stewart. Novos managed to win a succession of penalties near the Sunderland try-line with quick tap and go being the option everytime. However some commotion at a breakdown led to yellow cards for Harry Mason and Sunderland’s number 8.

Sunderland slowly made their way up the pitch and after more solid Novos defence another one of Sunderland’s heavy forwards squeezed their way over the tryline. Conversion added 17-0 to Sunderland. Novos were desperate to get points on the board with everyone still flying up the pitch to try and attack the Sunderland tryline. Kick chases from Charlie Fairbarin, Harry Jones and Adam Lambert pushed Sunderland’s attack back but the ball couldn’t get turned over. With just under 5 minutes to go Novos then went down to 13 men due to injuries and after more solid defence Sunderland crept over the line once again. 24-0 Sunderland.

A solid and unlucky performance from the Novos IIs with really nice rugby and solid defence in the tough conditions. Stand out performances from prop David Lawson and fullback Adam Lambert. We go again next week with Hartlepool Rovers away, Up the ‘Vos!