Bonus point win for under par 2nds

Novos lost 4 players midweek but still named a very strong 19 man squad for the visit of Sunderland who sit in 4th place.

The game kicked off with Sunderland attacking the 'ministry end' and their big pack set about causing all sorts of problems for Novos. Clearly fired up Sunderland attacked Novos line constantly and only good defence by Micheal Reidy and Pete Douthwaite prevented an early set back. It was fully 15 minutes before Novos finally entered the Sunderland half when a break from Mark Cooper was stopped short of an opening score. Novos began to wake up and some better play from Novos created an opening for skipper Jamie Diggle but Sunderland also displayed a strong defence and the chance went begging. There were further chances for both sides but both defences were not for breaching and the half remained scoreless until the final 5 minutes when strong running from Pete Douthwaite and Matty Lamb created space for Mark Cooper to get over the line for a converted try.

With minutes remaining of the half Novos went to sleep and gave away a penalty 5 metres out, Sunderland elected a scrum and Novos held them out but continued to infringe with desperate defence - Sunderland kept taking the scrum and were rewarded on the 4th with a levelling try - in fairness it was deserved.

Novos needed to improve in the 2nd half and they made immediate pressure tell on Sunderland by recovering the kick off and battering the Sunderland line but couldn't apply the finish. It was Sunderland who took the lead through a penalty though when weak tackling allowed them to break from Novos pressure and eventually Chris Fife took a risk by impeding. Sunderland added a try minutes later when more weak Novos tackling let them in. At this point novos were 7 - 15 down and looking like tasting defeat for only the 2nd time in the league. From the kick off Novos attacked again and this time found space for Micheal Reidy to mark his return with a fine try.

Novos scored again to take the lead when replacement scrum half Thomas Armitage spotted space on the blindside and found Jamie Diggle who powered over to score to make it 21 - 15.

Sunderland chasing the game started to apply more pressure but a superb intercept and 50 yard dash by 35 year old veteran hooker Pete Douthwaite secured the bonus point win.

Sunderland werent finished and they scored again at the death but missed the conversion that would have given them a losing bonus point - which in fairness they would have deserved.

Novos were not at their best but still secured the bonus point win over a strong and committed side who will no doubt give the teams in second and third plenty to think about when they play them later in the season. Sunderland were unlucky to meet a Novos side on a good run and on another day would have beaten us... Plenty to work on at training despite our lofty league position especially as Gateshead and Medicals have not given up hope of catching us with 5 games to play.