2nds miss out again

Novos took on Alnwick Lions in a pulsating semi final, the final result was in doubt right up until the referee brought the game to a close, unfortunately Alnwick will be contesting the final after narrowly edging the game with a late, late penalty that broke Novos hearts.

Despite a focussed warm up, Novos started quite slowly, Alnwick were keen at the breakdown and initially Novos seemed shell shocked, a poor turnover from Novos and some weak tackling meant Alnwick were able to launch an attack and score very early in the game an unconverted try. This seemed to shake a sleepy Novos into life and they began to build some momentum, breaks from Matt Lamb and Jamie Diggle were stopped by desperate Alnwick defence before Douthwaite broke through the middle and Alnwick infringed at the breakdown giving James Bass an easy penalty to narrow the gap.

The game continued at a frenetic pace with Novos seemingly on top but Alnwick were looking dangerous on the break. Novos were able to steal Alnwick ball just outside their 22 and Rich Harrison found a willing runner in skipper Jamie Diggle who blasted over to score. Matt Lamb, picked up a shoulder injury and was replaced by Richy Moat and Jason Mcdermott came on as blood replacement for James Ball who found to his cost that Hendys head was harder than his face!

Novos were immediately back on the attack and went further ahead when good hands from Addison, Harrison and Bradford sent Richy Moat over in the corner but with the conversion missed Novos were not far enough ahead to be anything like comfortable with the lead going into half time.

From the kick off almost immediately in the 2nd half disaster struck a mix up allowed space for Alnwicks impressive centre to burst over and reduce the defecit – The conversion missed.

Bass sent another penalty over for 13 – 10 and this was matched by Alnwicks stand off to bring the scores back to level before an awful bounce of the ball from a speculative Alnwick kick bounced straight into the hands of the grateful Alnwick scrum half who darted over to score and give Alnwick the lead.

Novos stalwart, Dave Addison left the field with a shoulder injury and was replaced by the much younger Matt Miles who instantly made an impact with his greater energy levels and was straight into the game, Novos pressure was rewarded when a series of short drives was finished off by Matt Miles and Jason Mcdermott levelled with a fantastic conversion for 20 – 20 and with time running out the game looked to be heading into extra time.

From the kick off though, Novos were guilty of trying to force a winner and when they launched an attack from just outside the 22 Alnwicks defence was too good and Novos held on in the tackle to hand a kickable penalty to Alnwick’s stand off. The kick seemed to drift wide, but the referee gave it and with it the game was lost by the narrowest of margins.

With only seconds on the clock Novos desperately tried to get the game back but when Alnwick found touch the referee blew the whistle and called time on another cup run for Novos and presented another missed opportunity.

As frustrating as it was, Novos can be justifiably proud of their efforts, Alnwick were a bloody good side, possibly boosted by some of their 2nds whose game with Morpeth had been cried off by their opposition. Did they load up? Who knows, they certainly had one or two stand out players and if they are promoted into River Aln league next year I think they will win it, I think they will win the final too and I hope they do – They were a proper rugby side, they carried themselves the right way. The game was played hard but fair by both sides with no quarter asked or given. There was no triumphalism or posturing from them just a shaken hand and an admittance of a hard and tough game of rugby that would have made a fitting final, unfortunately for Novos the wait goes on for at least another year.

There is still plenty for Novos to play for, they must pick themselves up for a top of the table clash with Gateshead next week and then a tough run in that could see them crowned champions of the River Aln league for the first time and promotion to the UBS Candy league beckons.

Proverbially it give us time to focus on the league!