Speed is king

Novos made the long trip to Loughbrough to face the 2nd placed team in the league with heavy links to renowned elite sporting university, many of the girls in the opposition also play BUCS rugby midweek and some have a glittering career in front of them on the international stage. Novos also have some outstanding players, though perhaps not harbouring those lofty ambitions!

This was a marked contrast in playing styles with Novos looking to use bludgeoning force with hard running and pressured defence. It was Novos who opened the scoring when a strong scrum set up a series of drives from Amelia Neagle and Chrissie Miller creating space for Janey Eccles to crash over.
Novos continued to apply pressure and were much stronger in the set piece and the hard running from the forwards was matched by the backline, Ali Lonie in particular cutting some great lines and showing great physicality in contact was driving Loughbrough back.

Then it happened a kick to corner didn’t quite make touch, Novos got the chase wrong and Boom Loughbrough were away, sprinting home from deep in their own 22 to take a 7-5 lead.

They repeated the trick 10 minutes later, Novos pressuring and decided to move wide a knock on was seized upon by the impressive Loughbrough 12 and again she raced 80m to score another counter attack try 14-5.

Novos supremacy was not getting a reward and Loughbrough were very well organised in defence, Rachael Yost, Promise Chapwanya and Rachel Roberts all went close to scoring but were thwarted, a situation made more painful when Loughbrough scored another break away try, A long kick was again poorly chased and the Loughbrough 15 showed good gas to pick out gaps and fly up to score – 21 – 5

Loughbrough’s fourth try came on the stroke of half time, with Novos again attacking, an isolated runner was turned over and off Loughbrough went again, showing good hands to scorch upfield and score with another long range effort. Half Time 26 – 5

Frustratingly despite dominating possession and set piece, Novos turned around well behind and chasing the game.

Novos kicked off and continued to dominate but heartbreakingly a 5th Long distance Loughbrough try gave a mountain to climb at 31 – 5. On came replacements Cathy Foster, Jamie Stewart and Livvy Coombs to try and inject some fresh impetus and all three continued in the same vein before Loughbrough’s 6th and final try, you guessed it ….. Another length of the pitch run in!

Now with just pride to play for, Novos showed plenty and a break from Lonie created an opportunity for Rachel Roberts who with some assistance from Promise Chapwanya barged over – 36-10.

The final 20 minutes saw Novos play their best rugby, great physicality with Cathy Foster going close and both Amelia Neagle and Chrissie Miller being held up over the line.

Novos were superb against an excellent side… Loughbroughs defence and counter attack was best Ive seen this season and they have a huge amount of pace. This was a tough uncompromising game of rugby and Novos can be proud of the effort, it just wasn’t enough to get the result that was deserved.

Thanks to the referee who was excellent, talking to the players and managing the game effectively to ensure the game flowed…. Always a good sign when the referee is barely noticed and he got the main decisions spot on.

Also thanks to Loughbrough, great hosts, their coach impressing the girls with the gift of Haribo jellies which they were quick to remind our coaching team about at fairly regular intervals on the long bus ride home – Coaching manual updated, Bribery works wonders!!

Next week Novos welcome Birkenhead Park for a Saturday fixture, Birkenhead are bottom of the league but are a good side, Novos will be looking to repeat this performance and hopefully get a different outcome… Should be a cracker!

Forward of the Match: Chrissie Miller, best game in a Novos shirt, lively, carried aggressively and was everywhere.
Back of the Match: Ali Lonie, big carrying and great angles and offloading game