Novos 2's 41, Tynedale 19 - Final Secured

Novos 2's proved too strong for Tynedale in the final quarter on Saturday, in a game that felt closer than the scoreline suggests. Lucky with the weather, providing no rain but a reasonable wind Vos played from everywhere, making the big Tynedale pack earn their beers.

In a passage of play that describes the day, we dropped the ball from kick off, and then put some impressive attacking play together to score on the 7th minute. Zinzan Fraser going over after some well worked movement in the backs. 5-0 Vos.

In possession, Tynedale were exactly what we've come to expect this season, all power up front. Some solid carrying drove them up to inside our 22, and on the 10th minute they drove over. The conversion took it to 5-7 after 10 minutes. The arm wrestle continued, and at times it resembled basketball more than rugby. Luke Masters put his foot down and scored on the 15-minute mark, converted well by Joe Kapur to take us 12-7 up. Tynedale then capitalised on 3 consecutive penalties to kick their way up the pitch and muscle over close to our posts. Converted for 12-14.

Some more Masters magic got us in under the posts, slotted over by Joe for 19-14. The next 10 minutes we could all breathe a bit on the sidelines, but the lads on the pitch were working their arse off. Some massive shots from Alex Cokeley and Theo Mouille kept their pack quiet, and skilful carries from Simeon Archibald kept us moving forward. Game management from Joe Kapur and Isaac Robinson in possession kept us organised in defence. The half ended with a well-intentioned chip through from Phil Howard-Johnston, idea was there, but in execution, he sliced it into the Tynedale dugout stating we needed halftime 19-14 Vos.

At half time, some wise words from seasoned Darren Kelly had us aiming for the two score lead, and on came the speed merchants, Greg Abibu on to the right wing, and Andre Agwu on to the left and Michael Lehmann at fullback - Tynedale's back three visibly paled.

We started the second half well with huge carries from big Dave Medjigbodo-Lawson and tireless work from the pack gave us a penalty right in front of the posts. Joe Kapur slotted it calmly: 22-14, an 8-point lead. Tynedale scored soon after, some missed tackles from Vos letting some of their bigger carriers through the middle and then to flop over in the corner. Missed con, and Tynedale's final score of the day took the score to 22-19.

Then the pack combined to score one of the tries of the season. Zach Weatherhead found space, and looked for the offload as he had been doing all day. He found Zac Smith, substitute back rower who had replaced Simeon Archibald on the half. Smith jinked once, twice, and three times, doing untold damage to their fullback's ankles, and ran in under the posts. An easy con for Joe took us to 29-19 with 20 minutes to play. Twice in quick succession, we thought we had released Andre Agwu's pace on the left, only for the referee to call forward pass. We came right, and Abibu shot into the corner, outpacing his opposite man despite injuring himself on the 22m line. 34-19, 10 minutes to play. Luke Masters topped off what would be an expensive day out with his hattrick on the 80th minute, tearing in under the posts and converting his own try with a drop goal.

Final Score: Novocastrians 41-19 Tynedale.

MotM: Issac Robinson (line breaks galore)

DoD: Theo Mouille (who was outstanding however, a poorly executed crossfield kick which went backwards and got Greg Wills smashed)

We await info from the county but we are expecting to play Medicals 2's on Saturday at a neutral venue. Could we gather all three trophies for our sides after the 1's shared the plate final with Ponteland and the 3's beat North Shields on Saturday to win the Northumberland County Rugby Football Junior Challenge Cup

Up the Vos !