Novos closing in on title

In a week where unavailability and injuries(60 players were unable to play) have crippled Novos sides throughout the club it was a minor miracle that Novos were able to field 4 sides this week. Novos 2nds brought a few players in who had been playing well in our improving thirds and they all contributed to a bonus point win in dificult circumstances.

Novos started strongly going ahead with a try for winger Rory Diggle who finished superbly from halfway after some great play across the backline, unfortunately in the act of scoring he was tackled into the post and injured his knee. Young 17 year old prospect Sam Macgregor replacing him after just ten minutes.

Moments later, Novos scored again, this time it was Jamie Diggle who smashed over in midfield to stretch the lead, Jason Mcdermott slotting the extras.

The opening 20 minutes was all Novos, and Jack Watkins scored following a powerful run to put Novos in complete control and Mcdermott's conversion gave a 19 - 0 lead.

From that point the game changed, Novos broke clear and Sam Macgregor kicked ahead the blyth full back seemingly carried the ball into touch just a metre short of the line but instead of the line out a 22 was awarded, from the resulting kick Blyth were awarded a penalty after Novos were deemed guilty of holding on in the tackle. Blyth were awarded a series of penalties until they scored, this pattern of play continued until Blyth added a further 2 scores!! Novos were constantly penalised and Blyth took advantage. Understandably Novos became frustrated but we must learn that appealling to the referee is unlikely to change his decisions. A late yellow card for captain Jamie Diggle for 'aggressive rucking?' didnt help!

As the half drew to a close,better composure from Novos meant they got some rugby going again and Jack Watkins scored his second to ensure a reasonable cushion going into the second half at 24 - 19. It also delivered the much needed bonus point, Novos just had to make sure it was a winning one and not a losing one!.

The second half was a testament to Novos defence, as Blyth continued to get the lions share of decisions Novos discipline was better and instead of arguing they just got back in position and made tackles, this was the right way to do it. Forcing errors from Blyth and then using a dominant scrum to ensure posession was retained Novos were able to break out briefly until Blyth were awarded penalties to bring them back into Novos 22.

Novos then pulled themselves together and slowly started to regain the stranglehold on the game. A break from Jamie Diggle offloaded to Pete Douthwaite allowed Novos to set up field position at half way, McCrory got the ball away and Mcdermott found Chris Donabie and Richie Moat hitting perfect running lines to create space for Sam Macgregor. Sam's run took him to the 22 and Novos recycled, a Matt Dawson type snipe from Darren McCrory saw him beat 5 despairing Blyth tackles to score and effectively end the game as a contest at 29 - 15.

There were some real stand out performances, Jonathan Smith in his second game for Novos looks like a really strong addition to the squad while Matt Miles continues to make a mockery of his small frame by absolutely destroying his opposite prop in the scrummage. Sam Dixon is improving game by game and is fast adding great defencive work and ball carrying to a very strong lineout game. Michael Williams played bravely through injury and put his body on the line, Paul Jackson also returning just 6 weeks after knee surgery to play a vital part with a 20 minute cameo.

In the backs Irish Half backs Mcdermott and McCrory looked a good partnership as did Donabie and Moat in the centres, the back three though were heroes of the hour with Diggle, Macgregor, Marshall and Watkins in devastating form.

The win keeps Novos on top of the league and now needing just 5 points from the final 3 games to clinch the River Aln League title - they will first attempt to get them against Ryton and their fijian friends next week away.