Sometimes you learn more in defeat than in victory!

On a frustrating day, leaving a few behind and also some late injury withdrawals meant some juggling to the line up and a shortened bench.

Novos were late in arriving on the pitch due to some travel diversions and had to settle for a short and sharp warm up but by kick off we were just about ready to take on the side just below in the league. Novos started well, initially defending stoutly and looking like the pace of the back three and in particular Fionidi Parker looked like a potential match winner until 5 minutes in when disaster struck as her game was ended by a heavy tackle jarring her back… Lesson One run around props, not through them!

Livvy Coombs entered the fray at full back and went on to have a great game, particularly in defence. West Park then got off the mark first when Novos were caught napping around the fringes of a ruck and a converted try left us trailing 7-0. This seemed to spark Leeds into life and only a supreme defensive effort prevented Novos falling further behind – Particularly prominent Amelia Neagle who seemed to be smashing into 2 and 3 tackles per phase. It was felt if we could ride the storm the large Leeds pack may tire and we could play our game more effectively. Unfortunately, Novos were falling foul of the referee and in defence conceded a lot of penalties and a high (ish) tackle gave the WPL 10 an opportunity to kick a penalty for 10 – 0.

Finally 30 minutes in Novos started to play but often found the last pass wanting or tried to force a pass which allowed Leeds to scramble a turnover and clear, more worrying was that Novos were increasingly finding themselves on the wrong side of the referee and the steady flow of penalties was giving the large Leeds pack a breather and stopping Novos from upping the tempo. Lesson Number 2… Listen to the ref!

Novos 2nd injury to Tasha Robson saw Sarah Driver enter the game and Novos had to reshuffle again moving Fee Shanks into the 2nd row.

On 40 minutes, Novos eventually made a breakthrough, a trademark big boshing carry from Fee Shanks was then driven close by Amelia Neagle and Janey Eccles, a brave break by Rachel Roberts set the ball up in midfield and Skipper Steph Maddison then whipped the ball back against the run and a simple loop around gave Emily Oliver a try from a perfectly timed pass from Rachel Fleming. Emily saw the space and gave great comms to help Flem out – Lesson 3... Talking and listening creates tries!

From the half time kick off Novos were forced to defend and another series of penalties allowed space for Leeds to work a score for their number 10 who scored and converted leaving them 15 – 5 ahead.

Despite bags of effort and better discipline from Novos, the penalty count was telling and a number of opportunities went begging. As the game went on some uncharacteristic errors started to creep in as Novos panicked a little and started trying to do things that weren’t on or carrying the ball that little bit too far and often got isolated and turned over. The game was slipping away.

Streetwise Leeds were doing the little things very well, and slowing the game down whenever they could, which was exactly the right thing to do. Part of Leeds tactic was upping the physicality and skipper Steph Maddison was forced off after being smashed at the back of the ruck by an offside Leeds player... more reshuffling saw a reluctant Amy Ross make a welcome return to Novos colours... Hopefully we will see more of her.

Finally, as the game petered out, Novos had hope, a rare penalty was kicked to the corner by Fee Shanks and the lineout was brilliantly driven over for Amelia Neagle to score. 5 mins to go 15-10. GAME ON!

Next try would certainly win it and when Novos were again penalised at the ruck, the reaction was not great from Novos, allowing the Leeds ten to take a quick tap and run in under the posts to end the game 22-10 to Leeds – Lesson number 4… Listen to the ref, his interpretation of the laws are more important than ours and we need to adapt our game to his not the other way around! (It’s an important one so we need to learn it twice!). And so it ended 22 – 10 to Leeds.

Novos had failed to make the most of superior fitness by not upping the tempo and reacting to events in the game out of their control rather than grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and making something happen. In windy conditions, Leeds play was predictably forward orientated and when Novos over-eagerness to turnover ball was penalised we need to learn to get back in the game more quickly and forget what has gone on previously, hard done by or not!

The coaching team cannot fault the effort and on a positive some of the tackling and defence from Novos was outstanding, We need to work on communication, footwork and depth in attack – all will be strong features in training this week! Lets see a positive reaction with good attendance and application on Wednesday and more focus on Sunday and maybe 3rd place is still on… Just delayed slightly!

So, Novos stay in 4th position in the league and welcome third placed Camp Hill to Sutherland Park next Sunday, only one way to erase a painful defeat, learn lessons, forget the result and be better next week… Hopefully a positive reaction will follow

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