Novos hard effort and commitment in vein

Novos 3s entertained Alnwick 3s who are flying high in the league above at the bog that is paddy freeman’s.

The squad of 26 was reduced to 18 by kick off due to cry offs, call ups and no shows.

The game kicked off 10 minutes last as Alnwick travelled across from Novos. Alnwick started off strongly and made good yards following several offloads and good recycling. The Novos resolute defence was finally breached after 5 minutes when a one of their forwards powered over.

Novos were boosted after 20 minutes when David Marshall fresh from 120 minutes arrived to replace Will Miles who filled in at wing.

Marshall’s first action came when a big prop with a head of steam up following a break with only Dave to beat, got snapped and spilled the ball over the try line.

Novos came back into the game and started to get into the Alnwick half but after 25 minutes Alnwick scored again through their scrum half as they took the overlap advantage.

Novos hit back strongly and put Alnwick under pressure for 5 minutes and were rewarded with a try from Angus Walker, who picked the ball up at Novos beat 5 men to score under the posts. Greg Humphreyson added the conversion 7-10 game on.

Novos played well for the rest of the half and had chances to score again but good defending prevented a score.

They talk about half time coming at the wrong times for teams and it did for Novos as they were beginning to dominate.

At half time second row Michael Tincombe went off for Ed Walker.

Alnwick put Novos under pressure from the off and scored early in the second half through one of their props; the conversion was added to make it 17-7.

Novos were struggling to maintain possession and Alnwick scored another converted Try, 24-7.

Will Miles came on at flanker for David Hopkins with Dan Hipps moving to centre and John Marshall moving to wing.

Novos continued to work had and spent 10 minutes in the Alnwick half without reward and on the break Alnwick scored. The fly half somehow hit the post from a kick in front of the posts 29-7.

Novos Colt player Niall Crawford came on for James Coles, skipper Ian Pratt moved to second row to keep team premadonna James Desmond happy.

Crawford impact the instant as he injected energy into a tiring Novos pack, as he chased a tackled well.

Alnwick scored again in the last 10 minutes to make it 7-34, as Novos were caught on the break as they chased the game.

Novos talk was to keep working all the way up until full time.

Novos defended well for the last 10 minutes and prevented a last minute try with James Desmond and Neil Venable holding the ball up over the line.

It was a hard day at the office for the 3s everyone played well and gave 100% against a well drilled team from the league above who are challenging for the league.

There are a few things to work on for next weekend, but the team matched them in the set plays and in the rucks. Alnwick were very good in the tackle and got offloads away which in the end made the difference. It was a good warm up for Gateshead next week in the league but if the team put in the same level of effort a win is a real possibility.

There were a number of excellent performances today Gregg Humphreyson had an excellent game at 9. Niall Crawford made a big impact when he came on, he managed to charge down their last conversion, he looks to a very good player. James Desmond played to his usual high standard.
Man of the Match goes to Dan Hipps who’s tackling; rucking and ball carrying were immense today.

On a lighter note it’s good to see that Craig Paterson has recovered from his terrible illness of playing for Gosforth to return to Novos.