Novos Ladies out muscled by Yorkshire mite!

For the firsts, second versus third in the league was always going to be a hard game. Having beaten Leeds at home for the first time, Novos were feeling confident. However knowing Leeds had also beaten the unbeatable in Waterloo, it was clear this game was going to be a tough, rough affair. Pitch inspection demonstrated conditions were well suited to the Leeds big pack and not so great for our fast backs. Nevertheless this was a great competitive game to really test the Novos mite.

Leeds having the same plan as Novos, won the toss and chose to play uphill first half. And so Novos kicked off, with a great kick from Emma Nichol which put Leeds on the defensive straight away with a lineout just out from their own 22. As expected, their strong pack mauled the line out, but the Novos Ladies held firm. Pressure from the Novos backs led to a handling error by Leeds; however, the ensuing scrum was to be the Novos downfall. The nimble and agile Novos forwards fought hard but the sheer weight advantage of the Leeds pack made it very difficult for Hooker Rachel Hayes to get a good hoof to the back of the scrum. After a couple of re-set scrums, the scrum was turned and with Leeds now in possession, they were able to unleash their star back, outside centre, who cut a great line to score.

A quick reminder under the posts that tackling isn’t optional and Novos headed back poised to get back on track. Pinning Leeds back into their own half, Novos had a lineout on the right side of the pitch. Fran Mockford, solid in the lineout all day, took a great ball feeding it to the backs, who did some fancy pants set move (daren’t imagine the name of it…), leaving Emily Oliver to score out wide from first phase!! Coach Calum Harris was ecstatic arms aloft and is reported to have said that it was all down to him.

Feeling more assured now points were on the board, Novos received the kick off and headed into a wall of Yorkshire puddings. It was clear today was going to be a game won and lost in the breakdown (such a cliché…!), but it was. Leeds were extremely powerful and effective with their counter rucking, often turning over ball or creating Novos errors. Every scrum was a challenge, and with their pack giving them nice clean ball, it wasn’t long before the Leeds backs powered over for another try. Novos initial defending was pretty lacklustre, with ineffective rucking and ball watching. With the Leeds players bulldozing runs, Novos were indecisive in going high or low in the tackles. Either way, Leeds continued to get over the gain line. Fly half Ruth Scott was clearly marked out by the Leeds forwards as someone to run at, as she made tackle after tackle. The pressure soon tolled as Leeds scored another try.

After a slow start defensively, it soon became apparent that if we did not step up, this game would turn into a cricket score. And so it was, as the game progressed, the Novos defence strengthened. But it was a day of defending for Novos. Pressure by Novos often led to handling errors by Leeds but the following scrum was so scrappy, clean ball was rarely available for our backs to do anything effective. Leeds backs tackled effectively, stopping Helen ‘wrecking ball’ Kane time and time again. Changes in the second half, saw Magic on at 9, Sal on at prop. Coach Calum getting the two mixed up on several occasions…… Louise Partridge came on in the row for Sarah Kilby and put in some impressive, as ever, tackles and runs. Steph B came on for Fran Mockford. Amber Hyde came on for Ruth Scott. With the moves written on her hand, she decided to just go with ‘hands’. First time she gets the ball….and she kicks! Cathy Foster came on for Rachel Fleming.

Heading into the last twenty it was clear this wasn’t going to be a Novos day. A nasty injury to Amber halted the game temporarily and allowed Jess Bull to come on having already played in the seconds. The effort, pride and determination was there in bucket loads and the ladies kept fighting, kept scrapping all the way to the end including an incredible chase and tap tackle from Helen Kane. And so the final score 43-5 to Leeds. A well-deserved win to them. Novos played hard, but we have to accept we were beaten by a better team and there is no shame in that. Forward of the match went to Katy Chamberlain who was strong all day. Back of the match was Magic (Amelia Magistrali), and d*%k of the day went to French Fanny Fouin for a yellow card with about 5 minutes of the game left….for hair pulling!!

Next Sunday we play in the Northumberland 10’s, another great opportunity for some of our newer players to get some playing experience. Then Sunday 7th, is the revenge cup game against Eccles at home. We hope to see lots of supporters there as we fight for Fortress Novos!