Patched up Novos open with a win!

Novos were always going to be disjointed, skipper Jamie Diggle was in the firsts, with several regulars from last season so it was a patched up side with Clive Carlin called in as emergency hooker skippering the side.

Lineouts and scrummages were a lottery for a side literally thrown together at the last minute but some players really put their hands up and showed a desire to hold on to their shirt, particularly in defence. Ashington scored the games first try early in the first half but could find no way through after that despite dominating in territory and posession. A Monster drop goal for Novos elder statesman Gus Walker and tries from Thomas 'Chopper' Armitage and Patrick Lehane, converted by Simon Dickinson (Whom we learned some valuable information about later!) gave Novos a welcome win.

Drop Goal hero Angus Walker declared after the game, 'There is lots of potential for this side this year, we won despite not playing at our best and were patched up a bit in places but with regulars returning and with the guys who have put their hands up to be selected. This could be a good season, we have to get the full squad to training to work together and come together as a team if we want to reach our potential'

Simon Dickinson was unavailable for comment as he had to go and drop something off apparently!

Next week another tough fixture with a trip to Blyth on the cards for a the Barbarians hoping to build on this positive start!