Cheese, Wine and vintage Novos

Match Report provided by Ruth Scott

Playing with the wind, they started strongly and before long the pressure told, and they were awarded a 5m scrum. Although Novos lost the scrum against the head, the Carlisle No 8 was unable to control the ball at the base, and scrum half Steph Maddison pounced on the ball over the line to score the first try. Their second came from some good support and off loads, linking forwards and backs and creating space for winger Rachael Fleming to squeeze over in the corner. Emma Nichols made a superb touchline conversion. Despite the wet and blustery conditions both teams were looking to run the ball, but it was Novos who were coming out on top with possession, 2nd row Amy Ross winning a lot of opposition ball from the line outs, and Novos back three looking dangerous out wide. A third try came from a kick down field, full back Lucy Henson won the foot race past her opposite number to calmly gather the ball and dive over the line. Again the conversion was made by Emma Nichol.

Carlisle then started to make ground, with their back row and inside centre in particular making strong runs and putting pressure on the Novos defence. However, Novos were much more organised than last week and managed to hold them out, and the half time score stayed at 19-0.

Turning round into the wind, Novos knew they had to up the effort for the remaining 40 mins. Keeping ball in hand, they switched play from one side to the other and allowed Rachael Fleming to have the space to round her defender and race in to the try line for her 2nd try of the afternoon. A scrum in midfield saw No 8 Louise Smith pick and go from the base, and with the Carlisle defence covering the players outside her, she kept hold of the ball to run in under the posts.

Injuries to Carlisle caused them to reshuffle their back line, and with players out of position, gave Novos back line a bit more space, which was exploited by both wingers, Rachel Cooper getting on the scoreboard, closely followed by opposite wing Rachael Fleming going over for her hat trick.

Again, Carlisle did not give up and pressed forward deep into Novos territory, but Novos were determined not to allow them a score, and Emma Nichol managed to force a turn over, and off loaded the ball to Lucy Henson, who sprinted the length of the pitch to score under the posts, converted by Fee Shanks, and making the final score 46-0.

Novos now have a 2 week break before they travel to West Bridgford on the 17th November to start the second half of the season, but will be aiming to keep focussed at training and build on this performance.

Forward of the match: Amy Ross

Back of the match: Rachael Fleming