Novos 31, Billingham 31 - 2nd XV Spirited Performance

Judging by our warm up, the boys were up for the challenge against Billingham with a real buzz. Apart from the front rowers, who realised that with 17 in the squad and no forwards on the bench they were in for a long day ! So they rightly went and grazed in the distance until the last 15 mins of the team session. A great decision.

Billingham arrived with a very strong side, full of players who have been in and out of the first team in recent weeks. However, the Novos boys continued to make their tackles and prove to Billingham that they were not going to be rolled over.

It was Novos that struck first as Sam Devey ghosted through a gap for the go ahead score. Conversion added by Shaun Stewart for a 7-0 lead.

Billingham were stung into action and their ex Durham County 8 powered through three tackles from the base of a scrum to score a soft try. Conversion added to level the scores up.

We ended the half on top as Gus Nye, Luke Foster and Ross Radford were everywhere in defence. In addition, the returning Sam Busby looked very motivated to impress on his return and had a running battle with Billingham's ex West Hartlepool centre. Busby won this battle and for our second try he stepped his opponent, tried to nick his scrunchie before stepping two other defenders. Conversion again added by Stewart for a 14-7 lead.

Novos 2's then score one of my favourite tries so far this season. We were camped in our 22m as Billingham hammered away at our line however we won a turn over. With the wind behind us we could easily have kicked the ball away. However, a great shout from Ross Radford and the ball was moved through the hands of James Bass and Sam Devey. Radford then put Busby away for him to then complete a nice two on one with Ben Forbes. He raced in the last 50 metres for a great counter attacking try which was converted by Stewart to make it 21-7 at half time.

Tim Hart and Ben Kelly came on at half time and Billingham made several changes and once again added lads with first team experience at a National League level. We struggled for a short period at scrum time without Gus Graham and Billingham gathered some momentum. They scored a soft try and a couple of good ones to push ahead in the game.

However, plan B was put into place and Dan Hails, Tom Harwood and Ben Silk made there way over from the third team game having played a half. They added much needed energy as Billingham were all over us for about a 15 min period. We then settled back into things with some great set piece work from Tom Dias and his line out operators, led by Ross Radford.

With the score line at 31-21 we ran the ball into the wind from our 22m. Our second try from long distance was scored by Ben Forbes who raced in from 75m out. Huge score as we closed to within three points after Stewart's successful conversion.

From the kick off Ben Kelly broke up field with some excellent support by his forwards. Billingham conceded a penalty under pressure which Shaun Stewart slotted over to level the scores at 31-31.

Both sides had chances in the closing minutes to create pressure but the final whistle sounded and the game ended in a draw.

Thank you very much to our Spanish exchange ref who was supported by Gregg Dawson and Ricky Handa. His decision making was generally excellent and he coped with everything a second team game can throw at a ref - discussions of uncontested scrums, 16 men on the pitch etc.

Billingham lad - thanks for such a competitive game. Was very impressed by your 7, 8 and your forwards carried well. Out wide I thought your 10 was pretty handy and you kicked your goals well.

Novos - great spirit on this occasion with some tremondous individual performances from Gus Nye, Ross Radford, Alex Horne in particular. In the backs I thought James Bass had some excellent moments at 9, Sam Devey was fantastic as was David Marshall. It then helped to have the two fastest men on the pitch in Sam Busby and Ben Forbes. However, it was an excellent team effort - imagine what you could achieve you all trained a little bit more together through the week !

Next week it is Alnwick at home - another massive test but I feel we might just win it if the boys build on what they achieved in this game by getting to training Tuesday and Thursday.

Man of the Match - Ben Forbes
Richard of the Day - Shaun Stewart

Up the Vos !