Novos rock up a semi in the cup

With Novos riding high in the river Aln league, they welcomed a plucky Rockliffe 2nd string from the league below, on paper this was a game Novos should win…. but nothing is won on paper!

Novos were almost at full strength for this game but it was handy to be able to name some new bloods with Rob Campbell in the side at 2nd row, Matt Miles at Hooker for the first time and another new signing Tom Aylott on the bench. Novos plans were thrown into disarray moments before kick off with the ref announcing only 3 subs were allowed, Richy Moat sacrificing himself and standing down from the squad which was most appreciated by the team.

Rockliffe had no subs, some lads let them down at the last minute which is a shame – I know what its like when that happens and its really no fun. Rockliff also refused the offer of a player from Novos as this would have meant forfeiting the game – Fair play to them for that.

The game kicked off and Novos scored almost immediately, Rockliff chased the kick well and recovered the ball but this was turned over by Novos snaffler in chief Clive Carlin, Joe Stamper found his forwards who punched a hole with a drive up on to half way and then the backs were released, simple straight hands created space for Ben Adcock to race away to score.

From the resulting Rockliffe Kick Off Jonny Williams collected and Stamper moved the ball quickly to skipper Jamie Diggle who blasted through the despairing Rockliffe short defence and gassed through for a fine individual effort from 50 yards.

Rockliff kicked off again and again Martin was the man underneath the kick, this time driving forward, Rockliff’s openside giving away the first ofhis many penalties, by blatantly coming in from offside to spoil what would have been good Novos ball. From the penalty, up stepped big Rob Campbell, taking the ball and sprinting through the heart of Rockliff’s pack and fully 50 metres to score a third try with barely 10 minutes on the clock! If Novos could keep up this form for 80 minutes it would be a long painful afternoon for the visitors from down the coast. From the next kick off Rockliffe kicked deeper, Novos moved the ball wide and Jack Watkins made good yards before being stopped on the visitors 22, again Stamper was able to set the backline away and again it was basic hands that set Rory Diggle away to score the first of his tries and put Novos in a commanding lead 24 – nil after 15 minutes. Novos were warned of the dangers of overconfidence and that the old White line fever was in danger of making an appearance, we needed to keep it nice and simple and the rewards would follow. For 20 minutes though Novos failed to heed this warning, 3 missed scoring opportunities followed as overlaps were ignored and because players ran off in isolation it allowed Rockliff to either turn possession over or win the penalty to clear lines. Rockliff scored a try of their own from such a situation with Novos trying too much intricate rugby, Rockliff kept it simple kicking to the corner and a series of short drives gave them a deserved score for their hooker. Novos hit back with Jack Watkins finding space through the middle following a storming break from Sam Dixon and Martin Blight to power over and score for 31 - 5. Novos profligacy allowed Rockliff to finish the half with another score again short drives allowed 2nd row Paul Hardcastle to score, much to Novos annoyance it was to be the final moments of the first half.

Its not often a side finds themselves winning 31 – 10 at half time and be disappointed but Novos 2nd team success this season has led to high expectations and high standards, So there was an element of frustration and a feeling that we were in the winning position without playing particularly well. There were calls to simplify the game, calm down and stop trying to be too intricate and too fancy. Player Coach Dave Addison also reminded the squad of times we had been in Rockliff’s position and that there would be no showboating tolerated. Novos heeded this and would go on to run riot for 20 minutes of the 2nd half.

Martin Blight had taken a bang to the chin and was replaced by new signing Tom Aylott in the back row, Jack Watkins also made way allowing James Bass to step in at full back and allowed Sam Burnside to move up and plug Jacks gap (!!).

Novos kicked off the 2nd half and immediate pressure from Matt Miles (who was quietly enjoying a solid debut) led to a turnover which allowed quick ball to move out wide, Sam Burnside immediately found space to carve through the midfield and race away to score. Simon Dickinson slotted the extras to make it 38 – 10 with the conversion. From the kick off Jamie Diggle returned and offloaded to a rampaging Rob Campbell who broke up field driving deep into Rockliffe territory before offloading to Matt Miles in support, The Hooker passed for Joe Stamper to scamper away and score.. his lovely flowing perm blowing in the wind as he went over the line, like a young Kevin Keegan in his pomp!
Matt Miles was again heavily involved in the next score, Dave Addison carried in midfield and offloaded to Miles who continued the run, Stamper moved it quickly to Dickinson who again got the ball wide, On this occasion it was Mark Cooper who exploited space in the midfield to break and score to make it 43 – 10. Novos were in the groove now and when a wayward kick was fielded by James Bass, The rangy full back found space around a tiring Rockliff defence to score from distance and make it 48 – 10. Assured fly half Simon Dickinson bringing up the half century with the easiest of conversions.
The game was over as a contest when Skipper Jamie Diggle skipped away for his second to make it 55 – 10 and with just 60 minutes on the clock the referee indicated that due to injuries to Rockliff players we would not be completing the full 80 minutes and that we would only play a few more minutes, Rockliff kicked off Jamie Diggle returned and Novos moved it wide, Rory Diggle again finding plenty of wide open space to streak away and end the afternoon with another try which he converted himself and the referee blew up 20 minutes early on the grounds of safety. This was a solid performance in the end that was in danger of letting Rockliff back into the game when Novos went off the boil during the first half but ended with Novos comfortably getting the win in the end.

Rockliff to their credit were feisty and committed throughout the game, they didn’t moan or capitulate as some sides would in the face of a heavy defeat and kept going to the end. They were a young side that made Novos work hard for every score. If they keep with it and stick together they will certainly be a very decent side.

Novos now move on to face Alnwick Lions at home on 10th March for a cup semi final and an opportunity to avenge last years loss to the same opposition at the same stage of the competition. Alnwick have won all but one of their games this season so will need to be at our best if we are to progress to the final, However there is plenty to suggest that this might just be the 2nd teams year.