The sun shone brightly on Novos performance on Saturday with a 12 try win over Northern 2's putting us back into the Senior Plate Final once again. Details to follow but it looks like Rockcliff next at Morpeth with a 1400 kick off.

Northern 2's looked up for the game with a couple of 1st teamer in the group who were not cup tied. However, Joe Whelan once again set the tone at the kick off. Freddie Nickalls put the ball high and Northern big second rower waited to make the catch. Just after he caught the ball - whack as Whelan cut him in half and we won possession of the ball. We moved the ball wide out the back to Nickalls then onto Shaun Stewart who kicked ahead. Darren Kelly won the race to the loose ball and reached over to score 5-0 Novos.

Straight from the kick off Louis Matthews broke the line and scampered into Northern's half. We did not finish the try but stayed hot on attack before George Waterhouse put in Sion Gittins. Nickalls with the conversion 12-0.

The Northern lads were big but we were able to jackal the ball numerous times in the opening quarter. Kelly won possession on our 22m and Sion Gittins made a line bust. He moved the ball to Ian Ramsay who raced in untouched. Conversion added by Nickalls. 19-0 in 15 mins.

Northern put the kick off out on the full and from the resulting scrum we executed a classic 8/9 move. Nickalls broke the line with good feet and a big fend. The ball moved to Isaac Robinson who kept pace on the ball before putting in Dylan Gittins for the try. Nickalls conversion 26-0.

Northern were shocked and still on the ropes as Matthews mate another line break but we forced an off load and Northern went into our 22 for the first time. However, Whelan was strong over the ball and we won a penalty which was taken quickly. Ramsay with an attacking box kick from a breakdown which was regathered by Stewart. He fed the ball to the rampaging Luke Foster who in turn put Whelan in from 40m. Conversion again added by Nickalls. 33-0 with half an hour gone.

The Northern team manager went mental at his players under the posts for all to hear and it had the desired affect. Northern reclaimed the kick off and their big lads finally started getting over the gain line. Couple of penalties conceded when we were on the back foot before Northern scored their first try which was converted.

Novos set about showing that it was just a glitch in the matrix and finished the half back on top with a coach killer. Northern had won a scrum penalty however at the next scrum Sion Gittins managed to nick the feed against the head. With Northern set up to attack we moved the ball to space with Brandon Gilbert scorching in from 45m out. The simple conversion successful from Nickalls. 40-7

We defended for the last couple of mins of the half with some huge hits coming in from Waterhouse and Matthews before a hit from Kelly and Ryan Gibson caused the ball to spill out. We scooped the ball up 10m from our line and moved it to Stewart who bumped off a couple of defenders then offloaded to Michael Lehmann. The youngster gassed the defenders to score in the corner for a half time score of 45-7.

Alex Cokeley on at half time to give Dylan Gittins a break with Johnny McSorley and Ollie Towe getting on moments later.

The boys were pretty relentless throughout the day and went on to score the first try of the second half with a line bust from Nickalls leading to
Matthews dancing round a couple of defenders. Converted by Nickalls 52-7.

Northern scored their second try at the 50 min mark with a fine team score. 52-14.

No respite though as we went back on attack and forced Northern 10m from their line. They over threw their line out for George Waterhouse to pluck the ball out of the air and crash over. Nickalls added the conversion 59-14.

The last 20 mins was to and fro as both sides tired and tries went back and forth. Joe Whelan scored an unconverted try to make it 64-14 but with Kelly being yellow carded Northern won the last part of the game. They scored to get their 3rd and 4th tries before order was restored by Novos with Dylan Gittins and Brandon Gilbert getting their second try's of the day. Nickalls kicking both conversions with the final score being 78-33.

Thank you to our Spanish exchange ref who did really well and was easier to understand than Ollie Towe at times. With the team of three not miked up due to technical issues I thought his decision making was very good and his rapport with the players excellent. Hope he enjoyed the game and his trip to the North East.

We believe we will play Rockcliff at Morpeth RFC next Saturday with a 1400 kick off. Please get along to support as we will need you to cheer us on against a side that has got the better of us twice this season. Sure to be a great final.

Up the Vos !