Novos 3rds win again!

Well what can I say about the game against Gosforth. It didn't start well did it? We turned up to play against them in ones and twos which did nothing for a warm up but compared to the opposition we were in a much better place. Now as we know sometimes when we play Gosforth 3rds it's not exactly their 3rds we end up playing but as they had a first team fixture in the Rington's cup ( well done to our firsts) and also a second team fixture they only showed up with 10 players with one on the way. The ref was spoken to and advised that we were at full strength with a front row and at least 15 players, ( in fact we actually ended up with more ) and if they couldn't match it then we were claiming the game. Horse trading then started with their coach saying we could lend them a few players and then arrange a re match. No, you concede the points and we will then lend you a few so at least we could play a friendly. The players of Gosforth were up for that even though their coach wasn't happy but come on, you were the ones without a full team.

With the points safe we then gave them 3 players to start a 14 each side game. We then gave Gosforth 10 mins to play without us really getting going and we were lucky to score nil. They however must have been disappointed to only score one unconverted try in the strong wind. We had strong words with each other and then started to play. We played the ball out wide at every opportunity and when we convinced the 10,12,13 axis not to kick into a howling wind we played good rugby with two great tries from speed kings Dave Marshall and Mark Hemmings. We were on the up and when we got a penalty 10 yds out there was a old call of "follow me". The skipper picked and went and drove over for a try with the opponents hanging off him. Whistle went, players celebrated only to hear the ref going "no try" you haven't gone through the mark. Back went the skipper to the mark, turned round and set off again. Same result..... 19-5.

Half time came and advice was given about playing the wind, play the ball, keep doing what we were doing etc etc. Within 10 mins it was 19-15 as we forgot to wake up and let in two try's. Harsh words were then said again and it seemed to do the tricks, we started to play well and Scott Parlett was pulling the strings. The ball was played out wide and considering the success we achieved in the first half it was no surprise when Alex Fenwick galloped over in the corner. Good team try. Scott Parlett then converted from the touch line which would proof to be invaluable come the end.
We carried on playing well until scrum time about 20 yds out. Our scrum for once had the upper hand with the ever green Will Moses, Shaun O'Connell and Clive Carlin dominating with the engine room of Gavin Lish and James Coles providing plenty of grunt. The ball came back to the skipper and of he went blind side. Drew the defence in and then with an off load that Sonny Bill would have been proud of off loaded to Joe Carr who galloped into the corner. 31- 15 with 10 mins to go.
Game should have been over but we thought we would make it more interesting and let another two easy try's in by not tackling, not talking and I think bird watching or something because it wasn't playing rugby. We were hanging on now as it was 31-29. We re grouped got the ball back and started to play in their half for the last two minutes. To be fair it shouldn't have come to this but it did, We hung on until the end and won without any more points for either side.

After a disappointing start and a horrible warm up a big thanks to all the players who turned up. Hats off to to all the lads who played for Gosforth at some point because without your selflessness there wouldn't have been any game. Thanks to the ref who I thought was very good and fair and congratulations to James Craven who was fantastic all day, tackled like a demon, good hands and was a easy call for man of the match. Well done all.