Novos MA1 v Tynedale MA1.A slightly depleted Novos squad travelled to a misty Tyne Valley for one of the biggest fixtures of the season. Novos were divided into two mixed ability sides and Tynedale into four. This would be relentless back to back four game test for each Novos side, against the best the home side had to offer.

Novos kicked off and were making good progress with some smart attacking moves and excellent distribution from Daniel, when an off-side Tynedale player intercepted a pass and ran unchallenged over the line to score. The ref awarded the try and the Tynedale took the initiative, soon scoring a second. The home side began to control the game and despite some solid tackling from JPL and Tom, Tynedale were winning every ruck and constantly gaining ground, with Novos looking slightly out of sorts. The half time whistle gave some respite and after a motivational talk from head coach Steve, Novos started the second half looking like a different team. Some solid rucking from Sion and Wes, and a series of great defensive tackles from James, kept Tynedale out of the game and it ended 2-0 to the home side.

Novos MA1 v Tynedale MA2.
Novos picked up where they had left off in the previous game and threw everything at Tynedale. Attack after attack kept Tynedale in their own half. Alfie was making trademark charging runs with the ball, drawing in the home defence and then passing wide to create space. As a result, the ball twice found Ryan and each time he absolutely nailed it, taking the ball at pace, sidestepping defenders and scoring. 2-0 to Novos at half time. Early in the second half a well worked passing moved found Callum who quickly took the ball forward and then played in Alfie. With the defence now expecting him to draw in and distribute they hesitated slightly. Big mistake. Alfie put his foot on the gas and tore up the pitch. One brave Tynedale player attempted a tackle and was carried over the line along with the ball as Alfie scored Novos’ third. Tynedale were far from finished and forced themselves back in the game with two well worked tries but stout defensive work from Wes, Tom and JPL closed the game down and it finished 3-2 to Novos.

Novos MA1 v Tynedale MA3.
Another blistering start from Novos was causing Tynedale all kinds of problems but the home side showed their class by carving out a try to take an early lead. Novos moved up another gear and were soon effortlessly moving the ball across the pitch. Perfectly timed passes from Daniel and Callum were constantly finding James, JPL and Ryan who then menaced the Tynedale defence. When Tynedale did mount a challenge they were met by the small, but immoveable, force of Tom and Wes. An equaliser was only a matter of time and a long pass from Ryan was met by the ever alert Sion who ran in a deserved try. Then it was time for something special. After the restart the ball found Sion who made a darting run along the touch line, deep into Tynedale territory. He cleverly passed to James, who immediately spun the ball to Wes. The whole Novos team had gone forward as one and as the ball moved from left to right it seemed to pass through the hands of every player in what was a devastating attacking line. The defence was pulled apart as JPL played in Ryan to score and complete a contender for team try of the season. Outstanding. The second half started perfectly with Daniel playing in JPL who made a searching run from the centre of the pitch, shrugging off a tackle and scoring. Tynedale were far from finished, soon scoring and then pushing hard for another, but Novos defence stood tall and denied them time after time. In the closing seconds Sion made a brilliant one on one tackle when Tynedale must have felt they were a cert to score and it ended 3-2 to Novos.

Novos MA1 v Tynedale MA4.
The final game and Tynedale clearly wanted to remind Novos what a tough place this is to play and fielded a very strong mixed ability side. The quality showed and Tynedale were able to work a number of attacking moves that found the gaps in the Novos line. Despite the usual quality in defence from Tom, Tynedale scored three times before Novos rallied and shut them out for the rest of the half. Novos started the second half brightly and though Tynedale always looked like an attacking threat they were never allowed to control the game. Novos rucking from Alfie, James and Ryan was particularly effective, Daniel kept it simple but effective with text book scrum half passes to the wide attacking players and Callum was growing in confidence with every touch of the ball. The game ended with one of Tynedale’s big lads thundering down the pitch looking to score only for Wes to come out of nowhere and scythe him down with a beautifully timed tackle. It was a perfect example of the never say die attitude that Novos had demonstrated all day. Final score 3-0 to Tynedale.

So, 2 wins and 2 defeats for a scratch mixed ability side, at one of the toughest places to play in rugby, speaks volumes about this squad. This was a fantastic team display from MA1 with every one of the lads playing their part in a day the whole club can be rightly proud of.

Match details

Match date

Sun 16 Nov 2014

Kickoff

10:00

Team overview