Rockets undefeated @ Ponteland!

Ponteland. Away. 05/01/14.
Novos MA 1: Thomas W, Tom S, Daniel E, Alfie, Mathew W, Jake, Jarno and Wes.

The players were divided into 3 mixed ability sides and an additional 4 players were loaned to Ponteland to enable them to field a third, mixed Baa Baas team.

Novos1 kicked off against Ponteland1 and were initially on the back foot as the home side started brightly. Novos absorbed the pressure and didn’t panic. A home player broke free and looked certain to score before stumbling and losing the ball to Matthew who sprinted up the pitch unchallenged to score the opener. Ponteland kept up the attack and the first half was battled out in the middle of the pitch. Novos’ ability to keep their shape soon told with Dan making a series of passes that enabled Thomas W, Jarno and Alfie to collect the ball in space and run in tries. Ponteland grabbed one of their own to make it 4-1 at half time. At the restart Ponteland again started well and scored twice before Novos shut up the shop with Wes, Mathew and Tom S creating a solid defensive line. Thomas W was soon on the score sheet again with a blistering run through the Ponteland line. Determined rucking from Jake and Wes, allowed Dan to get the ball to Mathew who went on a run that dragged the Ponteland line left, then right, before leaving them flatfooted with a great dummy and a sprint over the line. Wes wrapped things up with a deserved try just before the whistle to make it 7-3 to Novos. A great victory against very competent opposition.

A quick break and Ponteland2 were next. The Novos mix of tough tackling, quick passing and lightening pace meant the hosts were effectively shut out of the game. Alfie was Novos’ wrecking ball in the middle of the park, creating havoc in the attack and working with Jake in defence. Those players that survived the Aflie/Jake combo were soon swept up by Tom S, Wes and Matthew. Jarno tormented the defence, constantly beating them with his pace, and scoring three tries in the first half. Matthew added another to make it 4-0 at half time. In the second half Ponteland tried to force themselves back into the game but Novos are rarely beaten in a physical contest and each attack was swallowed up with Thomas W being particularly destructive in the ruck and Dan always on hand to quickly distribute the ball. Jarno scored another couple of tries before Dan ran in a deserved one of his own. Final score 7-0 to Novos.

Novos1 played their final game against the PONTELAND/NOVOS BAA BAAS team (we even loaned them a Novos coach – well done Steve W). Novos Baa Baa representatives comprised Matthew Hayes, Fuzzy, Daniel Geldart and Sam Hetherington. The game was adventurous and free flowing in true Barbarian’s tradition. The Baa Baas scored first with a try from Ponteland’s pacy George . This was the first time the Baa Baas had established a lead in all 3 of their games. However, Novos1 soon took control with Jarno and Matthew using their pace to grab a try each and Thomas W charging through tackles to score two more. The Baa Baas got one back before half time with a typical charging drive forward from Daniel Geldart to keep the game very much alive. 4-2 at the interval. Second half and more free flowing action. By now the game was down to 6 a side due to a couple of injuries and Tom S exploited the extra space to score a hat trick of tries. Despite Novos1 dominance, the Baa Baas were good value and pulled back a deserved two tries of their own from George and second from Daniel Geldart who took the ball on the run following a great offload by Sam Hetherington. Alfie took a break from tackling in the middle to score two of his own. Final score 9-4 to Novos1 in a game that had an exhibition feel to it and one that the players on both sides can be proud of.

Novos1 player of the week goes to Daniel Ellam. Captain for the first two games and playing in a scrum half position, Daniel helped the team keep their attacking shape with a consistent series of neat, short passes, was brave in the ruck and scored a well-deserved try of his own. Well played.

The Baa Baas 1st and 2nd games were both tough encounters with a heavy defeat against Novos2 initially. This was unsurprising given that the players from Ponteland and Novos had never played together before. Second half tries from Fuzzy and on-loan James Hepburn-due to injuries-helped to restore some pride for the Baa Baas. This gave them something to build on in their second game against Novos3. Baa Baas player of the week, Fuzzy secured 3 great tries in this game where gradual improvement in passing and tacking was clearly demonstrated. Daniel Geldart also assisted with a try ran in from his own half. Superb sportsmanship was shown by all Novos Baa Baas who were a credit to their teammates and club.