Development team win-late-on

Novos vs Winlaton by Greg Humphreyson

Upon arrival at the club (on time for once) I found myself there with only a few members of the team, as the ‘usual’ suspects again failed to make the set meet time (mainly the Marshals). There seemed to be a good spirit amongst the group for the game this week as everyone seemed to not have gone out the night before and to our amazement for the second week in a row neither had Mr Selkirk, who not only had not gone out the night before but had gone for a spa with the VC in the morning to prepare fully for the game! After arriving at the club we got out from the only what could be described as ‘hobbit’ sized changing rooms and set about a fairly relaxed and leisurely warm up.
As K.O. got closer ‘the enforcer (Dez)’ took over and some harsh words were reiterated from last week that, that type of a performance would not be acceptable and against Winlaton we would not get the positive result we have come to expect as a team.

The game commenced with Novos receiving kick playing down the hill. With the kick off not going 10 (actually making negative meters) Novos elected to have the scrum back on the half way. Winning the scrum and playing the sensible territory game the scrum half took control and send a kick in behind the defence for a Winlaton line out inside their own 22. Only for Novos to receive the ball back a nice few interchanges between backs and forwards for John Marshal to break through to score the first try just to the right hand side of the posts. Conversion missed (god only knows how !)
Novos 5 – Winlaton 0.
Again with the next kick off failing to go 10, Novos again electing for the scrum. Running the ball this time trying to extend their early advantage, a mistake happened with the being turned over, a few sharp passes from the Winlaton back three and a strong run from their winger gifting him an easy score. Conversion successful.
Novos 5- Winlaton 7.
A big sign for the away team that however much they thought this would be an easy day they were in for a hard day at the office.
For the next part of the game novos scored twice with a well worked try from Oliver Dearden finishing very well (conversion again missed) and one from David Marshal finishing another creative move from the backs (conversion again missed). Winlaton responded with another try after shambolic Novocastrian defensive play and they seemed to be able to undo all the hard attacking work that they put together by their ‘ saloon door’ defensive style.
Novos 15 – Winlaton 14
Although the scoreline does somewhat flatter the home side all but the poor defensive duties from the visitors the score maybe a lot different.
At a lineout one of novos second row Sam Dixon calling a stop to the game for a blood check as he had a drop of blood on his finger, after a brief interlude for a quick check the game restarted when the poorly, poorly second row realised he had just broken a nail.
The last point to note for the first half is when the tensions between the two sides boiled over with a small scuffle, (mainly started by Jack Salts huge dramatic over reaction) with both sides being reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game.
Half time Winlaton 14- Novos 15.

As the second half got underway, half time sub saw Nick Lithgow (introduced to the centre) showed his intentions to run the ball from anywhere to try and build some continuity (something the team in red and white, didn’t quite have in the first half). The added pressure he added he ended up under the posts himself to get the second half off to the best positive start for the visitors. The half time team talk seemed to have worked from Kim Jung Pratt telling the boys that this was unacceptable and that it is not how the normal novos teams play. (conversion Successful by Christian)
Novos 22-Winlaton 14
Although Novos had started the second half brighter Winlaton then scored two trys (only one converted) which lead to a novos backlash.
Novos 22 – Winlaton 26
The men in red were lead up by their leader with his first career dump tackle, and then a few more strong powerful runs followed. This lead to a further brace from the eventual man of the match David Marshal (converting one himself). To leave the final score :
Novos 34 – Winlaton 26

The attacking flair and finishing class of the visitors was the only notable thing to take from this game, although it is a sign of a good side when you win although not playing well. Performances worth mentions were again Oliver Dearden and David Marshal both having brilliant games this week and last. The result is the right one but the defence needs to work.
As this maybe my last week this season in a red and white novos shirt, I just want to take this opportunity to thank you all and wish you all the best (hopefully I can make it for the final, but just in case), it has been a pleasure to have been a part of this team this year and I hope you get all the success you deserve !!