Lazin’ on a sunny afternoon…? Not likely at West Park!

After a successful start to the 2016/2017 season, the Novos Ladies were motivated to keep their winning away streak in-tact against a hard opponent in Leeds. Last year, it was one win a piece with each home team taking full points. The team remained mainly unchanged except a swap in the backrow with Ceri Storer starting at 7 and Sarah Marshall on the bench. Caitlin Morrell also started at 14, while back of the match from last week’s game Laura Stewart was unavailable.

Novos kicked off down slope and with the sun in their eyes. As expected Leeds were strong as ever in the forwards and drove hard up the pitch. However, good defensive line speed in our backs ensured mistakes from the Leeds backs. The Leeds pack showed their dominance in the scrum as they pushed hard against the Novos scrum, making it hard to get the ball out, and leading to handling errors in the backs as the Leeds defence were able to capitalise on the slow ball from the back of the scrum. What followed felt like 15 minutes of scrumming, as the backs from both teams struggled with catching the ball, in conditions that were clearly not favourable to running rugby (warm, dry, hard pitch etc…..!Maybe the ball had been greased prior to KO?)

Leeds had managed to pressure Novos and get into their half, when they conceded a penalty. First quick tap of the day by yours truly, fed the ball out to the backs, where we gained 50 +metres before hitting contact. Strong runs from Tash Robson and Jess Ritchie kept the momentum going and allowed the backs to re-organise, allowing Emma Nichol to slice through the midfield heading towards the Leeds 22. The try looking on but the final pass was not able to get to winger Rachael Cooper. Backrowers Fran Mockford and Ceri Storer were all over the 9 at the following scrum, forcing a penalty, taken quickly this time by Ruth Scott, offloading quickly to Amelia Neagle and then Tash Robson barging through 5m from the line to score under the posts. Great pressure and fast play getting Novos the first score on the board, easily converted by Emma Nichol.

The game continued with its fast pace and strong hard hitting runs from both teams. Leeds opting more for a crash baller, captain Caitlin Sedgeworth putting in some excellent tackles in and around the ruck. While Novos mixed it up well with forwards and backs interlinking, getting some good offloading to keep the momentum going. Unfortunately on both sides, handling errors kept trickling in, much to the annoyance of the front row! Chrissy Miller leading from the front, working tremendously hard to keep the Novos scrum solid. Both teams also looked to kick to pressurise the back 3 which worked well for both. Leeds in their own half tried to run it, but the great defensive line speed of the Novos backs, led to a Fanny Fouin trademark intercept try under the posts to make it 14-0.

Confidence was high at half time in the Novos camp, believing if we continue to play the way we were the win was ours. Clearly Leeds had other thoughts. Within 5 minutes of the restart a bulldozing run from their solid 12 broke through our midfield and an offload to their speedy and agile 14 let in an easy try, converted well by Leeds. The game continued with each team having good periods of pressure and play until a little mistake cropped up. Good pressure from Novos in attack with strong runs from Elle Bloor and Claire Davis, got Leeds on the back foot and Caitlin Morrel with little space to play with was able to touchdown in the far corner, only for the try to be disallowed for a forward pass (bar humbug ref!). As the players tired, more turnovers were generated as support in the ruck lacked on both sides. An injury to Ceri Storer, stopped play (and Leeds from scoring). It was suggested to the ref that maybe the game should be abandoned as Ceri could not be moved. With 15 minutes of the game left and the score 7-14 the response was ‘no way’ and we moved to the pitch next door (thankfully Ceri is fine! Otherwise the uni would have our guts for garters!!) With the break in play, Leeds re gathered as they did at half time, and the pressure mounted straight away. A few missed tackles as Novos tired led to the Leeds 14 again dancing up the midfield. Fortunately for Novos, they knocked on over the try line. Massive pressure in the 5m scrum led to messy ball that Novos were unable to clear and a charge down led to Leeds scoring right under the posts. Converted and with about 5 minutes left. Novos raced up to restart the game and get back in front. Despite serious pressure, the final whistle went final score 14-14.

Fantastic game for the many supporters that came to watch, thank you for travelling down. It’s always great to hear support on the sidelines especially at away games. Massive thank you for the subs who didn’t get on but provided endless water and much needed shouting and support. It’s fantastic to have such a great squad working together.

The ladies may have felt a little disappointed as they let this game slip through their fingers, however, Leeds are a very strong outfit and this is a marked improvement on last year’s away result. A tough game for the back three of Katie Cruton, Rachael Cooper and Caitlin Morrell, all worked tirelessly in defence, we just couldn’t get them the ball needed to get over the line. Points left on the park today, lots still to work on, but brilliant effort and heart from everyone involved. Thank you to Ian for ‘getting angry’ in the warm up, Kat Prudders for her filming and finally the referee for being pretty alright (so much so the lucky devil got a back slap from captain Caitlin Sedgeworth).

This Sunday Novos Ladies have their first home game of the season to league winners, for too many years, Waterloo. Get down and watch what is expected to be a highly competitive and exciting game! (If the Leeds game is anything to go by!)