Pont sent packing

After notching important league points in recent weeks the world’s most gorgeous 3rd team took a break from league rugby on Saturday to enjoy a gritty win against their Ponteland counterparts at a windy Sutherland Park.
With usual captain Ian Pratt absent after surgeryin his anxiety to out-doNovos stalwart Shaun Durant in the gimpy-hand stakes, the leadership role was handed to up and coming No 8 Stewart Wilson, partly because the more obvious candidates wanted to keep him quiet for a change but also in the hope that the referee, a renowned local official of distinctly mature standing, might take more sympathetically in his dealings with the youngest player on the pitch than he has tended to with some 3rd team captains in recent years.
After a slightly truncated warm-up Stewart decided to play against the slope and the elements in the first half and Novos were soon on the attack, looking to run the ball wide and to keep the game mobile in a lively opening. Dale Raine and Dan Turnell made conspicuous contributions among the backs in several thrusting moves and Stevie G quickly began to dominate the front of the line-out in partnership with JP’s pin-point accuracy to provide a firm platform for the diminutive but dangerous half-back pairing of Joe Stamper and Jack Gallager put steady pressure onto the visitors.
The wind and a stream of sometimes puzzling decisions were always going to reduce the opportunities for Novos to play the open, faster style of game that has suited the usual approach of this team and which would clearly cause problems to the generally heavier Ponteland team. The visitors scrambling defence had been stretched to hold out against several waves of attack until Joe broke through a gap to score the first try after about 20 minutes. This was quickly followed by another score from flying full-back David Marshall who sped away from half-way as Novos began to get the rewards for their early dominance.
Between these two scores Dale Raine was unfortunate to take a bang from behind and had to be replaced by Andy Gardiner, who slotted in well to continue the attack.
The next try came after Jack Gallager and the midfield of ex-president and general Novos legend Gus Walker and promising young Irish centre Gareth Niblock, all had made good breaks but the score was primarily the result of searing individual pace as Darren McCrory, out of his usual position on the wing but playing as impressively as ever, zipped along the touchline before going under the posts for Jack to convert and provide Novos with a 17:0 lead after half an hour.
Ponteland now managed to string together better possession and began to test the home defence, which was generally stayed very solid with resolute tackling and excellent discipline being maintained. Unfortunately this was spoilt by one sleepy moment of defence on the blind-side fringe of a scrum where Ponteland managed to nip around and squeeze over to score an unconverted try in the corner right on half-time.
The second half saw Craig Patterson and Simon Spencer swap respective places of replacements’ bench and prop and Stevie G was also replaced by the ever feisty Clive Carlin as Novos had early pressure within the visitors half but were frustrated by a couple of officiating decisions and firm defence from Ponteland.
It seemed that the sensible and patient pressure being mounted would soon bring another score for Novos but despite going close with efforts on both wings from Darren Mc C and Richard Seed the home side came away with nothing further to show as Ponteland gradually managed to work their way back up the pitch to spend 15 minutes camped thoroughly inside the Novos 22, helped by an occasional reluctance by Novos to clear the ball long with the advantage of the wind.
Novos spirited defence held out well against this sustained pressure with Nick Walker, DamoFenix and Dave Henry joining the fray from the bench before a smart break from Jack, supported by Dave H took play almost back to the opposition try-line.
The later stages of the game saw the match deteriorate somewhat as it became clear that Novos would win and a moment of petulance saw a yellow card for the Ponteland winger after a great tackle by full-back Marshall. Novos still looked to open up when possible but ultimately there were to be no further scores as both defences stayed firm in the last few moments.
All in all this was a very sound performance by the team and everybody played a valuable part in the victory. The 3rds still need a couple of league wins to make sure of avoiding relegation but with this sort of attitude and spirit the lower sides of the Club can expect to finish the season well. Man of the match was Chief Inspector Alan Pitchford for his all overall contribution.