Ryton routed

Following last weeks morale boosting win over Ryton at first team level, the seconds were hoping to emulate the senior squad and pick up some vital league points, with Medicals and Gateshead chasing hard to catch the league leaders at the halfway mark in the league.

Before getting into the game, its worth pointing out that both sides resisted the urge to load the squads with first team players, Ryton included two first teamers from last week due to injuries and Novos just one.

The game kicked off with with the home side with the wind, Novos were quickly into their stride, Surging drives from Paul Henderson and Will Trick took play into Rytons 22 and despite some strong defence from Ryton Ben Adcock found space following a sweeping move to score under the posts and open the scores, Jason Mcdermott added the extra 2 points from the boot.

Novos switched off and Ryton scored an unconverted try from strong forward drives.

Novos were straight back on the offensive from the kick off, Liam Savage and Sam Dixon superbly chased a kick from Jason Mcdermott, collecting the ball from the Ryton full back and sending Eddy Yuill on a run, Novos recycled and Mcdermott and Simon Dickinson sent the backs away and Jack Watkins burst through a gap to score Novos 2nd try.

Ryton pressured briefly but a monster clearance kick from Simon Dickinson set Novos up for a line out in Rytons 22 and another monster run from Paul Henderson saw him run through a Ryton back rower, Unfortunately the Ryton lad was badly injured in the collision and had to leave the field and head to A & E with a bad shoulder injury (We hope it wasnt too serious and he is able to return soon), Dan Turnell filled in for Ryton as they only had a bare 15 with no replacements. From the scrum a set move from Novos was finished by Sam Burnside to further extend Novos lead, Jason Mcdermott's homogeneous boot adding 2 extra points.

Ben Adcocks second followed another kick through, the Ryton full back collected the ball and again found Sam Dixon and Liam Savage chasing down, with no where to go he did well to step the tackle only to find Graham Jardine, who smashed a tackle in, with a certain try in the offing Ben Adcock stepped in, stole the ball and sprinted in from 25 yards. This time Jason Mcdermott failed with the conversion attempt.

With the half coming to an end Rory Diggle used his pace to power over from his own 22, completely out stripping the defence for a great individual score, Mcdermott making amends for his earlier miss by resuming his normal metronomic precision.

Leading 33 - 5 at half time but with a heavy wind against Novos knew Ryton would come back into the game, and they certainly did, kicking deep and setting up some strong drives from the line out, initially Novos soaked up the pressure but Ryton forced their way over in the corner and the Ryton number 10 slotted the conversion.

Novos scored next through a Sam Burnside break from half way, the veteran centre beating off three would be tacklers to score. Jason Mcdermott again on hand with the extras

The rest of the game was all Novos, Eddy Yuill, having his best game I have seen him play was rewarded with a try from a pick up from a ruck, Jason Mcdermott dummying and sniping around a ruck went over from half way both tries converted by Mcdermott and his magical boot.

At 54 - 12 Novos were now in total control and a superb break from Shaun Stewart was gifted to Ben Adcock for him to complete his hat trick and Jason Mcdermott added the extras to take the final score to 61 - 12.

Ryton were not a bad side, certainly combative and skillful at times but Novos never allowed them to play and they had no answer to Novos pace and guile in attack. This was in fairness the best performance of what is turning into a very successful season for Novos second string they are now 8 points clear at the top of the league, though they have a game in hand over 2nd placed Medicals and 3rd Placed Gateshead.

Next week a bus trip to Berwick awaits, with the Borders side always a tough proposition at home before a mouth watering clash on 10th against closest rivals in both league placing and locality Medicals, 2 fixtures that could have a huge bearing on the final league placings.

Man of the match, was a tough call this week with so many superb performances, Jason Mcdermott finished with 25 points, but did miss a kick so star men were Ben Adcock and Eddy Yuill. Next time Jason!!

There are also some horrific stories about an unnamed Welsh Novos centre, too horrid to publish on a family website. We are currently trying to prevent a Sunday tabloid from printing this lurid, disgusting story.... Needless to say I will never eat a banana split again!