Novos 2nd XV 80 - 12 Middlesbrough Wasps

Well it is the return of the proper match reports and not a moment too soon, I assume the current shortage of players throughout the club is due to most of them still reading the 14-page Ben Kelly’s match report. Even the webmaster has deemed it too dry, and has removed it from the website.

The squad was still reeling from the drubbing from Morpeth two weeks’ prior, no more than our esteemed coach Gary, who was so traumatised that he has written Morpeth down as the opposition scorers on his score sheet, it must be a force of habit now. However, this was where lack of continuity in selection actually had its benefits, as the majority of the starting 15 hadn’t played that game.
There was also, undoubtedly, a score to settle with our opposition following our nail biting defeat to them at the end of last season in the Candy Cup final. It was fair to say the side they put out this time around, was beyond recognition.

This could have been said about our side as well, however it was no less talented, with the likes of Josh Stacey, Greg Humphreyson, Morgan Faulkner and Curtis Walker returning from their summer breaks, teaming up fresh faces such as Dan Shuttleworth, Paddy Sowter, and Jonny Bulfin. A truly exciting prospect. There was further good news, when Joe Ball was shipped off to play for the 1sts to join fellow 2nd team regular James Bass (1st mention of the season), so we had an afternoon free of his incomprehensible pre match team talks.

To the game, Novos started the match with true intensity, and seem to catch Boro totally off guard. It was from a trademark Josh Stacey carry that laid the foundations for the 1st try, from which Humphreyson made a break of his own. With most of the Middlesbrough defenders behind our offensive line, Morgan Faulkner made light work of the opposition in front of him, and opened his account for the season. Greg added the extra points to make it 7 -0.

Novos maintained the pressure, and set out their stall early with high intensity rugby with plenty of offloads to great effect. Gareth was conscience pre match about our engrained habit to look for the pass that isn’t there, and giving up possession cheaply, however, every pass appeared to stick and kept the opposition guessing. In fact, the only time we looked vulnerable was at the break down, as players making half breaks from the offload out of the tackle were isolated, and Boro were very strong over the ball. Thus Novos conceded a number of turnovers at the ruck. However, when we did recycle the ball, Paddy Sowter looked a potent threat, making plenty of breaks at the base. One of which led to the second try, which was cannily finished off by Morgan Faulkner. 14 – 0.

However, mistakes were made from the kick off, as we tried to play out of our 22, and Middlesbrough gained a foothold. Finally, the line was breached they were back in the match. They came back again, and quickly made it back down to our 22, the pressure was intense, and if it wasn’t for a forward pass at the end, Middlesbrough were under the stick again.

However, the lads didn’t panic, and calmly regained the initiative and marched Middlesbrough back up the pitch, however, our opponents proved that they could be hard to break down near their line. This was helped by inability to put away the opportunities we were given. A prime example was Josh Stacey failing to give a pass to Matt Bradford when he was in acres of space, opting to bulldoze the full back and on to glory, instead he was well tackled and stripped of the ball. In his defence Bradders had yet to a catch a ball at this point, apparently due to having cystitis or Sciatica… in any case, something nothing to do with his hands.

Anyway, Novo’s vigour was rewarded when Alex Milton managed to fend off his defender long enough to throw a no look offload (all of his offloads are no look ones) to Greg Humphreyson who dotted down. 21 -5. Novos finished the half with a flourish, with Paddy’s dangerous running around the fringes earning him a try, and Steve Duncan finishing off a fantastic team move with some garish offloads.

Half time score 35-5.
The team talk was all about, upping the intensity and polishing our game and focus on improving the areas we had come off second best… anyway I assume it was… I wasn’t invited into the huddle.

The second brought the same as the first, as the lads quickly picked up from where they left off. Morgan sealed his hat trick inside 10 minutes, and is now banned from the clubhouse until he gets his jug in. Jobi managed to get his name on the scoresheet 6 minutes later, with a run which will sure be exaggerated in length for the years to come. Let the record stand it was 25 meters, by the time I had left the clubhouse it had already been stretched to half way. 54-5

The second half also brought the introduction of Nick Arbuckle, who caused mutterings from the stands due to his size, with the old boys proclaiming him tallest man to play for Novos. And in the image of Peter Crouch, he had a great touch for a big man. It was obvious that he wanted the ball in his hands, and he was destructive going forward. His initial carry and offload began a similar move to the try scored in the first half, this time with Paddy scoring under the posts. This was one for the blooper reel for Greg who skewered the conversion wide. 54-5.

Arbuckle then got his name to score sheet, showing genuine pace and skill in his running. Watch James Bass (second mention in the report). 61-5. He then looked to turn provider again after his rangy strides alluded all but the last man, before sending a pass out to Jonny Bulfin, unfortunately it didn’t quite go into the bread basket.

But Novos quickly regained possession and camped on the Boro 22. Ben Melrose ran a fantastic line back into traffic and looked surprised as anyone to appear under the posts with the ball in hand. As he reminded me earlier in the week that we had been friends on Facebook for 3 years now, I assume he is dedicating that try to me.

Not to be out done Arbuckle was back on the score sheet from the kick off, after Jonny Bird broke the line from the catch and played Nick in who galloped home. 75-5. Middlesbrough appeared to have hit rock bottom, they were out on their feet and with a couple of injuries and no subs, their coach came on in his trainers… true commitment. From that score, they appeared to rally and played some genuinely attractive rugby, with some smart offloads, and strong running in the midfield. Their 10 and 13 combined well to make a number of line breaks in quick succession, leading the Fly Half stepping 3 defenders to score a deserved try. Fittingly Jonny Bulfin got the last word when confusion was caused by a loose ball which was hack through, allowing Jonny to pick the ball up 5 metres out to score.

The final whistle went, to everyone’s pleasure with the score at 80-12.

There were a number of standout performances particularly in the loose. Alex Milton will be happy with his four assists (better than tries apparently), Dan Shuttleworth looked handy and took to the lineout well in blusterly conditions. Josh Stacey carried well as per usual, and passed rarely, as per usual. It was also good to see Super 2s Stalwart Tom Dias return to fitness and get a half from the bench.
Jonny Bird and Brendan Thomas served as a formidable second row and carried well. However, Brendan was clearly flagging by the end, due to drinking most of Amsterdam Airport dry the night before, and the coaching staff refusal to sub him off was suitable punishment and entertainment. The back row containing Luke Foster and Stevie Nugent worked tirelessly throughout and gave little breathing space for Boro. It was a shame to see Curtis Walker limp off early in the first half, as he looked bright from the off.
Paddy Sowter and Greg Humphreyson forged an effective partnership and had individual performances fitting of any 1st team in the league. Greg marshalled the troops with his usual authority and kicked almost faultlessly. Paddy was a constant threat with ball in hand and turned defenders’ heads and made yardage with ease, and thoroughly deserves his Man of the Match Performance.
Ben Melrose was his usual reliable self; you rely on him to drop the ball. He was ably assisted by Nick Wilson, of the Scarborough contingent, who carried extremely hard into a capable Middlesbrough midfield. Morgan Faulkner was his usual self, with effortless line breaks before, more predictably, breaking himself. His hat trick and, moreover, his jug will not be forgotten. It was also great to see fresh blood coming through with Jonny Bulfin, Nick Arbuckle and Steve Duncan making huge impressions on the game, as well as a familiar face of Ben Parkinson and spasming back of Matt Bradford.
Thanks have to go to Middlesbrough for putting in brave performance. They were clearly not at full strength and they certainly put up a fight and showed some flashes of great rugby.

The Super 2s must not be complacent, as there are a number of areas which need to improve, such as the break down and ability to neutralise the jackaler. But all in all, a fantastic result and something great to build on. Up the Super 2s!!!!