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Sun 02 Feb 2014
Ladies 1st XVSheffield Ladies
Tries: E Oliver, R Fleming, L Smith, F RonanConversions: E Nichol
22
19
Novos win it in squeaky bum time!
David Addison9 Feb 2014 - 22:09
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Novos Ladies progress to the Quarter Finals of the National cup with a last minute win over an aggressive and previously unbeaten Sheffield Ladies.
Due to the recent weather, Novos switched their cup game against Sheffield to Druid's Park to ensure that it went ahead. Novos knew this would be a difficult game as, although Sheffield are in the league below, they are unbeaten this season and had already knocked West Bridgford out of the cup in the first round.
Kicking off into the wind, Novos found themselves under pressure immediately, with Sheffield making strong runs deep into the Novos half. For the first 30 mins of the game, Novos were second best, losing out at the breakdown and falling off tackles, and found themselves 19 points down after Sheffield's Prop, No 8 and Full Back had all crashed over the try line.
Novos were determined to get themselves back into the game, and eventually managed to keep hold of the ball and make their way into the Sheffield half. Some good recycling made space for Full Back Emily Oliver to stretch over in the corner, meaning the half time score was 5-19.
Novos had it all to do in the 2nd half, but never gave up. Using the wind to good effect they kept Sheffield pegged back, forcing them to attack from deep. Novos were gradually coming back into the game, and were prevented from scoring only by Sheffield killing the ball. From the penalty, Novos opted for a scrum, and a set move saw winger Rachael Fleming score in the corner, making it 10-19 with around 20 minutes to play. Novos almost found themselves further behind when the Sheffield fly half broke through, but the final pass was knocked on, and Novos cleared their lines. With time running out, Novos pressed forward again with a great run from winger Yolanda Bainbridge, who was stopped by a high tackle. From the penalty, Novos tapped and were tackled short of the line, but the ball was recycled to allow No 8 Louise Smith to score, converted by centre Emma Nichol and taking the score to 17-19. With only a couple of minutes left, Novos knew they had to keep hold of the ball to get another try, and worked their way up the pitch. They were in the Sheffield 22 when a panicked defence came offside and gave away a penalty. Again, Novos took a quick tap and moved the ball, putting replacement flanker Fran Ronan into space for her first senior try, and taking the score to 22-19.
With only seconds remaining, Sheffield kicked off again, but the ball didn't go 10, and the referee blew for full time, leaving a very relieved Novos side.
Novos now take on Moseley at home in the quarter finals on Sunday 16th Feb, and know they need to be switched on from the start to have any chance of progressing.
Kicking off into the wind, Novos found themselves under pressure immediately, with Sheffield making strong runs deep into the Novos half. For the first 30 mins of the game, Novos were second best, losing out at the breakdown and falling off tackles, and found themselves 19 points down after Sheffield's Prop, No 8 and Full Back had all crashed over the try line.
Novos were determined to get themselves back into the game, and eventually managed to keep hold of the ball and make their way into the Sheffield half. Some good recycling made space for Full Back Emily Oliver to stretch over in the corner, meaning the half time score was 5-19.
Novos had it all to do in the 2nd half, but never gave up. Using the wind to good effect they kept Sheffield pegged back, forcing them to attack from deep. Novos were gradually coming back into the game, and were prevented from scoring only by Sheffield killing the ball. From the penalty, Novos opted for a scrum, and a set move saw winger Rachael Fleming score in the corner, making it 10-19 with around 20 minutes to play. Novos almost found themselves further behind when the Sheffield fly half broke through, but the final pass was knocked on, and Novos cleared their lines. With time running out, Novos pressed forward again with a great run from winger Yolanda Bainbridge, who was stopped by a high tackle. From the penalty, Novos tapped and were tackled short of the line, but the ball was recycled to allow No 8 Louise Smith to score, converted by centre Emma Nichol and taking the score to 17-19. With only a couple of minutes left, Novos knew they had to keep hold of the ball to get another try, and worked their way up the pitch. They were in the Sheffield 22 when a panicked defence came offside and gave away a penalty. Again, Novos took a quick tap and moved the ball, putting replacement flanker Fran Ronan into space for her first senior try, and taking the score to 22-19.
With only seconds remaining, Sheffield kicked off again, but the ball didn't go 10, and the referee blew for full time, leaving a very relieved Novos side.
Novos now take on Moseley at home in the quarter finals on Sunday 16th Feb, and know they need to be switched on from the start to have any chance of progressing.
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