Plenty of positives in defeat

Novos hosted Durham University in a friendly at Druids, Durham are prepping for the BUCS championship and Novos had one eye on the upcoming league game with Loughbrough. This would be a good indication of what to expect from the Midlands outfit who have a heavy influence from Loughbrough Uni.

As is always the case with midweek games people rushing from work and a hurried warm up is never the best preperation for a game, and it wasnt long before Durham, Including our very own Emma Nichol (Who is on a scholarship at Durham) at stand off took the lead out wide.

Novos were stung into action and a great touch finder from Skipper Steph Maddison pushed Durham back and though they won the resulting line out a poor clearance only went as far as danger woman Elizabeth Severs who fielded it superbly and ran into the corner to score her 9th try of the season.

Durham went 12 - 5 ahead following a break from their England squad player at outside centre who showed good pace to score from deep in Durhams half.

The 2nd twenty saw Novos introduce more new players with Cathy Foster stepping in on the wing and new signing Emma Jordan at outside Centre - Both acquitted themselves very well - though Cathy continued her baptism of fire to the world of rugby facing down England 7s wing in on only her second game fo rugby!

Durham scored 3 unanswered tries in this period all from distance with their 13 and 14 particularly electric to lead 29 - 5.

The 3rd Quarter was where Novos began to grow in to the game, fielding their least experienced XV by adding debutants Tina Bousfield and Gina Gardener, Novos had 7 players new to the sport on the field - what followed was superb, holding Durham out, they failed to score at all in this quarter - a phenomenal effort and acheivement considering the calibre of opponents!

The final quarter saw Novos put out their most experienced XV and for 20 minutes controlled the end of the game, a try for Hannah Pollard following sustained forward pressure and then try machine Elizabeth Severs was at it again to score her tenth try of the season. The only black mark was another breakaway try for Durhams flyers to see the game finish 36 -15 to Durham.

So a loss on the face of it but a game of so many positives for Novos

Novos started with a brand new front row - Heidi Munns and Kirsty Nolan who only picked up a rugby ball for the first time 2 months ago propped while 18 year old Jamie Stewart hooked on her first senior start - it was the first live scrummaging in a game for all three! They all came trhough absolutely brilliantly and after a shaky start held their own against a very good Durham front three.

Tina Bousfield was fantastic in the back row despite being completely new to the sport, she really enjoyed the contact and came off keen to get back involved.

Cathy Foster was not phased playing against international opposition in only her second game and there was game time for lots of girls who havent been able to feature in the league games so far.

Janey Eccles, again turned her 6 shirt upside to fill in at scrum half and did a great job while Ali Lonie was simply fantastic at centre combining hard running with great hands to cause Durham lots of problems.

Forward of the match: Jamie Stewart, a great debut for the 18 year old, simply has no fear whatsoever and looked very good before a wrist injury ended her game, we hope she is ok.

Back of the match: Ali Lonie - Strong running and great hands.

Next up a tens tournament at Darlington on Sunday where a developing squad will take on Darlington, Workington Finches, Scarborough Valkyries, Newcastle Uni 1sts and 2nds, Morpeth Ladies, Northumbria Uni, Bishop Auckland Ladies, Teesside Uni, Yorkshire Barbarians and Acklam