Novos 19, RGS Old Boys 17 - Last Minute Victory

The annual John Elders Memorial game was played on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year. A great chance for some rugby before league action gets back underway next week. Well over 50 players turned up for the fixture, with 43 of those signed up to play for Novocastrians in red, including two sets of very talented brothers: Dylan and Sion Gittins who have been tearing it up week in-week out and Sam and Jamie Ogilvie. Very proud parents I’m sure. The 20 or so Old RGS players dwindled in the run up to the game, and there was a worry they would not have a starting 15. They would be using Novos’ blue away kit.

With a packed balcony (and a packed home team dugout), Novos kicked off and conditions less than favourable perhaps leading to RGS dropping the restart. They quickly picked up the loose ball and set about playing as you would expect of a team of talented players who have not had much time together. Ball in hand, playing from their own 22.

The first scrum is always a key point in any fixture, and after captain Ben Jubb forced a knock on from RGS, we would be seeing this early in the game. What followed is only allowed to happen on a rugby field as Jonny McSorley actually ate a man half his age. The Novos backs were clearly amused by this as they dropped the ball immediately just to watch it again.

Despite this scrum dominance, RGS were able to clear their lines as their 10 put a good kick in for the Novos back three to field. The next ruck ended up being right under the balcony. Cue some heckling from a man who can only just see over the rails and was last sighted in speedos on the beach. This was all in good faith though, and it was great to see so many people come down to support from far away places including Percy Park and Dubai.

For the first time in the game, Novos found themselves in their own 22 defending a lineout after some scrappy play. RGS used a nice tactic of throwing their tallest guy up to secure the ball in the air, even if that was their bleach blond haired winger. However, Novos were able to force a scrum and won a scrum penalty. Captain Ben Jubb, under astute guidance from the balcony, opted for a scrum to great cheer.

A few minutes later, another scrum and another scrum penalty. Freddie Nickalls, who could have played for either side today, went for a nice bit of jouer with a tap penalty into cross field kick for one of Novos shorter players to compete against RGS’ tallest player. Somehow, no one got the ball, but great to see nonetheless.

The remainder of the half was much the same. Novos using their larger pack to earn ground through scrum penalties and hard carries; the Gittins brothers doing a lot of work here. Not much chance for the young and mercurial backs to shine, though both Ogilvies showed great touch with a couple of line breaks and chip and chases. RGS feeding of limited possession but making good ground through fast play and good footwork forcing missed tackles.

Novos ended the half 7-0 up thanks to a fortuitous try. RGS running the ball from deep, spilled a pass, Brandon Gilbert the beneficiary, hacking the ball through from at least 2 or 3 metres and falling on it to score. Jamie Ogilvie is credited with the conversion, but the VEO footage seems to show the kicker had number 9 on his back, which would be Freddie Nickalls.

At half time, Novos changed their entire team, to allow as many players as possible to get as many minutes as possible. This included a wealth of experience in Shaun Stewart and Chris Ward, around 400 1st team caps between them. RGS probably didn’t make any changes due to a lack of players, so there was hope that Novos could open the game up a bit in the second half as the RGS players tired.

The game did open up a bit more in the second half, fewer scrums - now uncontested and more ball in play time, a few more line breaks. This may have favoured RGS though as they made the most ground and enjoyed lengthier spells of possession than they had in the first half. For the first time in the game, pressure was on Novos. This pressure eventually told. Novos with a defensive lineout on their own 5m line, but the RGS jumper got up in front and with the Novos jumper stranded in the air, he had a free walk to the line from 5m. The resulting conversion though was a difficult angle and the kick was missed. 7-5 to Novos.

More great ball in hand rugby followed, with line breaks from both sides. Theo Mouille was particularly hard working, and involved in the build up to Novos next try with a couple of carries and double rucks. After 3 or 4 carries, the RGS defence was rushed and out of place, leaving a hole for Shaun Stewart to run through for 12-5, unable to convert his own score though.

The restart was not gathered cleanly, and RGS were able to force a penalty, from which they scored a nice try out wide. Conversion missed. 12-10 to Novos.

RGS were next to score, to take the lead for the first time, intercepting a loose pass, and scoring in the corner. Conversion successful and RGS lead 17-12.

Entering the final 10 minutes, and needing to score, Novos again turned the bench. Lewis Chater coming on, and Alfie Bowman at 9 for one of the great cameo appearances – would have been man of the match if he played for longer. He also said he’d buy me a beer if I talked him up in the match report.

The turning point in the game. An uncontested scrum for RGS 40m from their own line. Alfie pressuring their 9 and 10, the ball goes out to their 12, but some guy who Novos got from somewhere intercepted and sprinted 40m to score, leaving a difficult conversion for Shaun Stewart. From out wide on the right, he curled it round perfectly to drop over the bar, to make it 19-17 to Novos, final score. The last try scoresr was Ollie Edgar, and showed good awareness to score, despite not having played for Novos since he was 14.

A nervy final few minutes did see RGS held up over the line, and a barrage of attacks, but Novos held firm for a third victory in the fixture, closing the gap to 4-3 in favour of RGS overall.

Up the Vos !