Novos get amungst it!!

Novos travelled to Berwick in confident but cautious mood, they ran out comfortable winners at home but on their home turf 'the Bears' are a much tougher prospect. Berwick caused Novos plenty of problem with a committed display they were stubborn in defence and chased every lost cause with such enthusiasm that the result was in doubt until very near the end of the game.

The game kicked off in a howling wind on a cold day and the opening attacking play was from Novos, in a spell of 10 minutes camped in Berwick's 22 all Novos had to show was a solitary Simon Dickinson Penalty. Berwick managed to break clear and with some strong forward drives which Novos were inviting with a static defensive line that gave Berwick freedom to attack. A break from Berwick's winger was halted by Sam Burnside and from the turnover Novos attacked Ben Adcock looked certain to score but was stopped just short and Berwick were once again off the hook. In the build up Sam Burnside was injured and had to leave the field nursing his ribs, a turn of poor fortune for Novos that shook them and on the next Berwick attack a routine clearance was charged down and Berwick's scrum half collected to give them a lead with the opening try.

A warning, if it were needed that Novos could ill afford to be complacent in this fixture and thankfully the shock of going behind sparked a positive response from Novos, Replacement full back Jamie Diggle collecting a loose kick and charging through despairing defence to regain the lead for Novos, Simon Dickinson adding the conversion.

The next score came from a dominant scrum where Novos shoved Berwick back, Blight picked up and passed to debutant Darren 'the mess' McCrory to score - Something we helped him celebrate later on the bus, Im sure he will have a sore head tomorrow!!

At half time the score was 15 - 5 to Novos and there was the danger that further lapses in concentration could really put Novos under pressure.

Novos began the second half in the same way they started the game - dominating posession and playing excellent phase play.

A superb break and offload by centre Matty Lamb set up Martin Blight to cross for another try and extend the lead again at 20 points to 8. Five minutes later the bonus points were secured thanks to Jamie Diggle with another solo effort (A concept he is comfortable with!)

At 28 - 5 down going into the last 15 minutes, a lot of teams would have lost heart and Novos would have ran out comfortable winners, Not Berwick who hit back with a ferocity to dominate the closing of the game, it was hard work as Berwick went up a gear but Novos defended well and Berwick only had a frankly bizarre penalty try to show for their efforts when the final whistle went.

Novos didn't ever hit the heights of last weeks demolition of Ryton, but when not playing at our best and still secure a bonus point win. In patches Novos played some good rugby and will go into next weeks crunch game with Medicals on top of the River Aln league, with Medicals in 2nd place this game is a real 10 pointer, If Novos can still be on top when 2012 comes in they will have a great chance of winning the league.

An excellent bus trip followed with Novos enjoying a few social social beers and the excellent team spirit continues to grow in strength and this will help us meet the challenges that are coming our way.

There will be no 'Munging' to further enhance this team spirit though but thanks to Dr Burnside for the point of reference - its always good to learn new terms!!