Victory for Vos

Following a emotionally draining 14-14 draw away from home earlier in the season, the Novo’s ladies scented blood, knowing they had it within them to put West Park to the sword. Even the seagulls were keeping away from this battle…

Prior to the match, a minutes silence was impeccably observed by both teams and supporters alike in memory of Oggie.

Novos started the game well with Amelia ‘yes, I have picked up a facial injury now’ Neagle gathering well from the kick off before being ushered into touch by strong tackling by West Park. The early exchanges were fraught, Novos winning an early scrum only for Dubai (she’s a person, not just a city) to get hit by a full on Yorkshire tackle and our esteemed general, Sedge, almost pulling off an interception followed by some sharp tackling out of the scrum by Fran ‘Mockers’ Mockford.

Claire ‘Don’t call my daughter Broom’ Davies started as she meant to go on with excellent work in the line out and Ceri ‘Silent Assassin’ Storer’s rucking continued to be of the highest calibre, leading to Novos taking first blood as Claire Davies powered over the line to send the gathered masses into wild celebration. However, the elation was short lived as Novos were soon to go a man down as Tash ‘Bulldozer’ Robson was given her marching orders to the sin bin for trying to remove an opposition player from her leg in a slightly frustrated manner.

The 14 players still on the park, stepped up and played hard for those minutes without Tash, Claire Davies continuing to make a nuisance of herself in the line out and Fanny ‘Interception Queen’ Fouin combined with Dubai to secure the turnover after a dangerous West Park attack.

Outstanding tackling out wide from Becca ‘blink and you’ll miss me’ Stanger led to a dart through from Sam ‘Pocket Rocket’ West which included a move that would not be out of place on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ to wrong foot her defender. But the Novos pressure could not be converted into points and Vo’s were punished by West Park pulling level despite the valiant efforts of Magic and Sam West trying to chase back.

There were more dance moves on show after the restart with Becca pulling off a magnificent backwards roll into standing after a tackle; some skills just can’t be taught. It wasn’t long before the watching hordes were silenced in shock as West Park pounced to secure another score despite promising breaks from Sedge and the returned ‘Bulldozer’. Those watching were further stunned when Mrs Bass announced she did not like playing with boys (she may have mentioned hockey in the same sentence but who doesn’t enjoy some over sensationalisation…).

However, Novos were quick to draw the score level with Tash more than making up for her misdemeanor and crashing home underneath the posts and Dubai slotting away the subsequent conversion to put the mighty Novos back in the lead. A pulsating half of rugby came to a close in a heart breaking manner with West Park scoring with the last play of the half despite Sam West not giving up and chasing the breakaway player down only to be thwarted by the good West Park support play.

The second half commenced under the watchful eyes of the once again gathered Novos ‘yummy mummies’ on the side line, with strong running from Dubai and Tash again scenting the white wash and trying to power over, this time stopped in her tracks. Novos were guilty of momentarily forgetting Ian’s wise ‘scanning’ advice and wasting a significant overlap leading to the author having somewhat of an apoplectic rant at the top of her voice, only to hear it echoing back from the walls of the Ministry (I wasn’t going to include this but Mrs Coops informed me that I have to, and she’s a teacher….so I did what she said). Luckily, the frustration turned to ecstasy as our skipper, Sedge put Novos back in front 17-15.

The referee was once again needed to show his authority when our beloved George Studd politely pointed out,yet another, high tackle that the referee had missed (yet again) and was asked to leave the managerial technical area, but our attention was once again drawn back to the unfolding drama on the pitch as Novos cranked up the intensity, sensing victory was theirs to take. Excellent work in the breakdown by Chrissie ‘Turnover’ Miller was backed up by sterling tackles by Jess Richards. Novos used this period of play to roll the tactical dice as Shiv ‘Nichols Mum’, Mrs Stewart, Janey ‘Twinkle Toes’ Eccles and Pasha entered the fray alongside the newly returned Helen ‘Wrecking Ball’ Kane.

Thankfully for the Novos faithful, West Park managed to utterly butcher an excellent chance of a try to go back in the lead but was done so under the pressure of the Novo’s defence. It was following this that (at last) a high tackle was called against West Park for a sinister take down of ‘Nichol’s Mum’. While the rest of the crowd roared their approval I was left wondering how the opposing player had even reached Shiv’s neck…

Luckily, no damage was done and our new signing from Lichfield went on to produce a fine display of rucking combining with some wonderful offloads from Janey and a magnificent break from Fanny which despite her usual blistering ‘Va va voom’ was chased down as the previous hard work had clearly taken it’s toll. This was followed by what only can be described as a moment to savour as Helen ‘Not just a wrecking ball’ Kane passed the ball to a team mate, stunning those watching in to momentary silence but underlining that we were watching a special performance from the ladies in red, white and black. The Novos dominance came to fruition once again with Dubai finding her way over the try line to stretch the Novo’s lead with time ticking on towards the final whistle.

The Novos defence was tightened up with the introduction of Katie ‘My Mum is even coming to Cheese and Port Night’ Crute and Lydia ‘Winger’ Cowell to see off West Park in the final exchanges.

The final whistle heralded rapturous celebrations on (and off) the pitch that would continue loooooong into the night. A fine display and deserved victory .