Novos 2's Cup Victory

A strong squad met at Novos for the traditional cup final photo then set off for Seghill to play Medicals in the County Challenge #2 Cup. The boys were in fine spirits and looking forward to trying to win the series against Meds after the league fixtures ended one win to each team.

We got on the front foot early doors with Dylan Mills leading the way in carrying and Darren Kelly organising the forwards around the field. The boys made some line breaks but were unable to capitalise on two runs from Ollie Forster who if he had supported would surely have put the supporting player in. However, we were perhaps holding too much width on not supporting the ball enough.

Against the run of play Medicals took the lead as we coughed up the ball twice due to handling errors. Medicals carried hard with their 8 and 10 making telling line breaks as they went in for a try out wide to take the lead 5-0. This seemed to galvanise their squad as they made a line break straight from the kick off. They went back into our 22m and we were camped on our try line before we won a penalty on our try line. We failed to make touch with the clearance kick and Medicals scored an excellent counter attack try via their fly half. 10-0 to Medicals.

Novos then got back into the groove with Barney Youlden putting in a nice kick into the corner, Simeon Archibald making some telling runs. We drove into their 22m before David Medjigbodo-Lawson picked up from the base of a ruck and crashed over from 5m out - making it 10-5 to Medicals as we reached half time.

Our opponents extended their lead 5 mins into the second half as we were penalised at a breakdown in front of the posts. Meds chose to take the kick at goal to go 13-5 up.

We opted to go long with the kick off forcing Meds to kick the ball back to us. Zinzan Fraser returned the ball with interest with a strong run. Just outside the 22m Isaac Robinson burst through the line. We recycled the ball and a Medicals player was then yellow carded for a tip tackle and then a high tackle within moments. Vos opted to take the kick at goal but we put it wide.

Novos stayed camped in Medicals have with a man advantage. Barney Youlden danced between two defenders and off loaded the ball to Isaac Robinson. He crashed over with two Medicals lads hanging onto him but unable to prevent him from scoring. Joe Kapur kick the conversion to bring us back to 13-12.

Momentum completely swung our way with Meds kicks going out on the full, Zac Smith getting two huge steals at breakdowns and making a line break from a quick tap. We recycled the ball until Zac Weatherhead crashed over from 2m out. Joe Kapur added a vital conversion from 15m out to give us a six point lead meaning Meds needed a converted try to win it.

With the game on the line the young Vos side were a little indecisive with our exits and allowed Meds to counter attack. On the back of a run of penalties Meds hammered away at our line. Some huge hits from Alex Cokeley, Darren Kelly and Simeon Archibald ensuring they didn't score near the posts. Eventually, Meds did go over in the corner on the last play of the game. Meds kicker had the wind directly behind heading towards the posts. When the ball left his foot he thought it was over however, at the last moment the ball swung across the front of the posts for Novos to win by a point.

Great game with Meds perhaps unlucky to get the win - thought our bench was stronger than these and vital in the result. The match was well hosted by Seghill. Thanks to. Ricky Hands for taking charge of the game along with his two AR's.

What a fortnight as the 2's win their Challenge Cup just seven days after our 3's won their cup vs Nth Shields. So the trifecta is still on if we are able to arrange the Plate Final vs Ponteland after the county has requested that both clubs try to agree a match date. Fingers crossed something gets agreed although we have seven's commitments, touring sides arriving and lads training for Northumberland U20's and Northumberland Seniors during May.

This week we have Finsbury Park landing for a touring game whilst on the Sunday we have 28 lads going to Morpeth 7's with The Unloveables and The Undateables.

Still loads of things going on in May so get down to training on Thursday and get involved !

Up the Vos !