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Weekend Preview – Novos looking for Bouncebackability!
4 fixtures for Novos this weekend with much to play, 1sts are off to avenge a home defeat to Prudhoe and Stocksfield, 2nd host Middlesbrough Wasps, Centurians welcome Seghill and Kestrels take on Ravens in a battle of the birds.
In the first team Novos look to bounce back from a mismatched cup final where they were well beaten against Team Northumbria despite performing well. The opponents are Prudhoe and Stocksfield who defeated Novos at home in what was Novos worst performance of the season, though taking nothing away from Prudhoe who were the better side on the day.
Head coach set the target that no side will do the double over us and with only 2 sides now able to that left to play, Novos will need to get up to the levels they displayed against Ashington last week and Northumbria on Tuesday to ensure that happens.
Prudhoe have had a good season, they look set to avoid relegation and maintain their position in the league for next year, though they probably need one more win to be sure, so they are one of just 6 teams with something left to play for other than pride of league placings, Bishop Auckland, Redcar and ourselves competing for promotion (Bishop Auckland need to slip up badly if Novos are to land the championship though) and at the bottom Prudhoe, Seaham and Barnard Castle battle to stay up with Winlaton already relegated.
We certainly hope Prudhoe can do enough to stay up, they are a good set of lads, and uphold the traditional side of the game by socialising with the opposition, of course we also hope that they don’t get the points they need to achieve that against us!
Magnus Leask, keeps faith in the main with the same lads who defeated Ashington and did so well against Northumbria on Tuesday.
Ben Walker is hoping to shake off a shoulder injury to join Paul Olding and Pete Twentyman in the front row, Skipper Jamie Wallace continues with Jonny Smith (Hoping to step out of Dan Bollado’s shadow!!) in the 2nd row. The back row is unchanged with Louis Whitworth, Chris Ward and Alex Littlefair all set to continue.
In the backs scrum half Andy Maxwell is hoping half back partner Rich Harrison can shake off his knock to remain at stand off and in the centres Dan Bollado (Hoping to keep Smith in his place) pairs up with Rob Squire. Out wide Shaun Stewart and James Parkinson wing it with Jonny Ward at full back.
On the Bench Mark Curphey and Gus Graham cover the forwards and James Bass covers the back line.
The 2nds welcome Middlesbrough Wasps as their season draws to a close and sees them safe from relegation trouble and maintaining a place in the CANDY League for next season. Middlesbrough in third were given a tough game at Acklam Park by Novos and skipper Chris Fife names a strong line up looking to give it a right good go.
James Forbes and Mark Allison prop either side of Keith Willis, Rob Campbell returns to the 2nd row with Sam Dixon and Ollie Dearden, Liam Savage and Gavin Evans look a handy back row.
In the backs Christian Selkirk partners skipper Chris Fife at half back, Richie Mitchell and Ben Melrose are in the centre and out wide Tom Lewin and Lex Leonard provide serious gas on the wings and Darren McCrory is at full back
On the bench Martin Blight, Krissy Welsh, Andy Gardiner, Sam Burnside, and Tommy Wilson father and son!
County Champions Novos Centurians host Seghill Deputies in a tough game Dave Addison set to hook with his brother out injured, James Desmond returning to the 2nd row and Jeff Burke coming into the back row. In the backs Justin Taylor partners Chris Curson at half back, Cup final winning try scorer Mark Hemmings is in the centre with evergreen Gus Walker and Joe Carr fresh from his hat trick heroics from last week on the wing.
And the 5th team aiming to make it an undefeated 2nd season take on Newcastle Ravens in a battle of the birds! Andy Croft’s successful first season in charge has seen them play once a month all season and they have been victorious in all of their games so far.
We still await one or to confirmations for this one so make sure you let Crofty know ASAP if you can play!
In an enthralling end of season with just 3 games remaining before tour season kicks in, Novos look in good shape across all of the teams, with the weather getting better full balconies and a nice cold beer to watch the lads. Nothing finer!