Novos Development Team score Tries and eat Pies

A young pacey Development Team took on Sunderland 3s at Sutherland Park in a friendly.

Sunderland took command early on as the young Novos team lacked discipline in defence to race to a 21-0 lead after 15 minutes.

From a scrum in the Sunderland half Novos skipper Ian Pratt picked the ball up from number 8 passed to Gus Walker who was stopped on the Sunderland 22, the ball became lose and Pratt picked the ball up and broke through four tackles to score, Walker added the conversion.

This lifted Novos and the their pacey back line started to put Sunderland under pressure flying Finnish winger Mikko Heikkila (one L) broke from the half way line with only a prop to beat cut inside and got stopped.

Minitues later Novos scored again with another excellent quick backs move which put full back Paul Roberts in Space to score in the corner, the conversion was missed by Walker, leaving it 13-21.

Novos were now in command but against the run of play Sunderland scored to make it 12-28.

Novos picked them selves up and scored just before half time with Heikkila finally getting on score sheet after looking dangerous all day, Walker added the conversion.

At half time it was 19-28, Novos discussed all the positives and if they started well in the second half playing at a high tempo they would win. Martin Blight was having was having a storming game in the back row, Roberts and Heikkila were both looking dangerous every time they had the ball.

At the start of the second half Sunderland came out strong and scored two quick tires to take a 19-42 lead.

Novos hit back with a try in the Corner from Roberts which was set up but a nice pass from Heikkila.

The lead was cut even further through an interception in his own half from second row Adam Longstaff who jogged in the try and nearly got caught by the Sunderland full back.

The score was now 33-42 game on … Novos created 5 chances to score again but forward passes and knock ons with the line begging kept them from scoring, que two tires in a minute from Sunderland to make it 33-56.

Novos kept attacking but another break away try from poor defending gave Sunderland a 33-61 lead.

Novos scored again through Mikko to make it 41-61.

There are plenty of positives to take out of the game, the Novos back line look excellent going forward, once the team sort out defence some very big wins will come for this young fit, quick team.

Stand out performers were Blight, Roberts and Mikklia Man of the Match goes to Paul Robers.

Next week the Development team take on Whitley Bay Rockcliff.