Back down to earth

It was always going to be a tough game and 4 time league champions Waterloo came up to Sutherland park for what was a 1st vs 2nd in the table. With Novos the only team who could challenge Waterloo for the title they had brought a very strong squad, with a look of menace in their eyes. Novos were missing some key players, most notably star centre combo Emma Nichol and Helen Kane, last week’s back of the match Rachel Bass along with front rower Cat Ingoe. This was made worse when skipper Amelia Neagle pulled out with a broken foot; we wish her a speedy recovery.

None the less Novos still boasted a very talented team which saw a first start for winger Laura Armstrong and Lizzie Gilthorpe debuting at fullback. With Emily Yarrow, Sal Fitzpatrick and Janey Eccles returning back to a pack which was so strong against Camp Hill there was a quiet optimism in the Novos camp.

The game kicked off and the physical nature was obvious from the start as both sides looked to keep it tight with strong forward runs. Novos put everything on the line to stop this Waterloo winning machine. Fran Mockford and Katy Chamberlain found a defensive level that would rival any team with low tackle after low tackle coming in. Jess Richards went for a dominant smash them back and throw them to the floor approach. However, despite great efforts from everyone at the 9 minute mark Waterloo crossed the white wash for their first try. Novos went straight at them with Emily Yarrow bringing lots of energy to the team. The team fought on with great work from our French centre partnership of Fanny Fouin and Capucine Auger, stopping the champion's backs play. Waterloo were able to string some good phases together to unleash their concord on the left wing as she flew in for their second try. This was quickly followed by their 3rd to make it 19-0 at the half.

After having come back from 19-0 last week Novos knew they had the ability to get back on the scoreboard and despite the score didn’t feel out of the game. Sarah Kilby came on to give Sally Fitzpatrick a well-deserved rest after an incredibly strong 40 minutes. Novos continued the game in their high spirited approach with the back 3 working well to cover the Waterloo flyers. Christine Miller continues her form this season getting her hands into every breakdown slowing it down for Waterloo. Jenny Meagher who has grown in confidence over the last 3 weeks threw herself into everything and was all over the park. Fellow back row and captain Janey Eccles used her pace and footwork to give Novos some front football. As Waterloo ran in their 4th try it was time for some fresh legs, with Amelia Magistrali, Emma Clement, Rachel Hayes and Elle Bloor all taking to the field.

Every player in that Novos team threw everything at the wall in a very spirited performance and competed with Waterloo for long phases of play until unfortunately their cutting edge was just too much for Novos to handle. Ruth Scott managed a very new backline incredibly well and recovered from mistakes with a look of ease. Caitlin Sedgeworth produced one of the best performances seen in a Novos shirt, having really grown into her VC role Sedgeworth tackled like a back rower, organised like a field marshal and played the game with ‘clear eyes and a full heart’. The final score of 50-0 does not truly reflect the game and an overall disappointing day for Novos did have plenty of positives to take from it.

We are on the road next week to Eccles where we will return to winning ways!