Novos 49, Acklam 14 - Dominant Display

Acklam arrived with a much changed side to which we are used to seeing - natural on a scheduled day off. Some very heavy lads against us on a day that we were missing some of our regular tight five players in Johnny McSorley, Charlie Lawlor, Morgan Scrace, Jeremy Hunt and Alex Cleminson on top of the long term injury of Matthew Dawson.

The 2's have been flying and unavailability simply created opportunities for the likes of Charlie Muse, Ben Rodgers, Rhys Gibbons, and Matthew Russell to come into the squad.

Despite a low key warm up the boys started quickly but we missed a fair few early opportunities. The boys found more motivation after Lewis Chater was badly tipped up at a ruck which was not seen by the ref.

We finally started to click after ten mins as Michael Searle stole the ball eventually leading to Louis Matthews going over adjacent to the posts. Searle adding the conversion 7-0.

From the kick off we were awarded a penalty and Sion Gittins upped the tempo and George Bambrick made a line break. He then kicked it ahead as we trapped Acklam in their 22 for a spell of pressure. Some strong carries as Jonny Allton crashed through 3-4 defenders to score under the posts. Searle converts for 14-0.

Novos were suffering at scrum time against a much heavier pack but were completely dominant around the park with Louis Matthews and Dylan Gittins leading the way carrying the ball. In addition, Charlie Muse won a couple of line outs off Acklam's throws. We score possibly our best try of the day next with some great patience in attack - something we have been working on in training. After several phases of quality offloading we rewound the ball for Tom Taylor to put in Dylan Gittins. Conversion again added by Searle with his third lost ball int the neighbours garden !

In close competition our next try was 90m as Charlie Muse cleverly stole the ball at an Acklam maul. Sion Gittins put Matthews in a hole who offloaded to Searle who then quickly shifted the ball wide. We carried in to their 22 before Chater put an inside pass into Tom Taylor - again something we had discussed pre game. Taylor fended off a covering defender and went in for a great counter attack try. Conversion added again by Searle for 28-0 at 30 mins.

Acklam rallied either side of the break as the capitalised on some loose rugby by us with a loose pass collected for their winger to limp in after injuring his quad 20m from the line. Fair play to him for finishing the intercept despite him being in pain as he crossed the line. Conversion under the posts added for 28-7.

No comeback on the cards however as a chop tackle form Bambrick allowed Searle to steal the ball. Acklam stopped playing, complaining to the ref as Sion Gittins took off stepping one of their big lads and running in from 25m out. Searle converted to make the score 35-7 at half time.

With Matthew Russell already on for Eoghan Phillips who was hamstrung we also put on young Ben Rodgers and Rhys Gibbons into the front row. Huge thank you to Tom Dias who had agreed to play loosehead despite carrying an injury from last week into this game. Top effort.

Acklam perhaps stung that the game was gone but in one last effort at the start of the second half as their big centre bust through a tackle to go in near the posts. Conversion added for 35-14 and the game now becomes about us denying Acklam a bonus point.

Our next score was just absolute chaos - Acklam looked to be going in after attacking 80m on the counter before we intercepted the ball. Possession was moved with Lewis Chater racing towards the line. He was unable to regather his chip ahead as some excellent reffing saw Acklam regather the ball and clear the ball up 50m where George Bambrick was lurking/recovering. He sold an outrageous dummy to no-one and went up the sideline. Off load to Sam Busby who beat about three defenders - with a covering defender nearby Busby unselfishly passed the ball outside for Chater to fall over the line exhausted by the passage of play. Searle converts again 8 from 8 to make it 42-14.

Our final score came from a turnover as Jonny Allton made a tackle allowing Michael Searle to jam in on the ball. He ripped the ball out and carried hard - just as you thought he was going to bump off the last defender he threw a wide pass out to Sam Busby for a well deserved score. Conversion added as Searle finished 9 from 9 on the day.

Final score 49-14 - 7 tries to 2.

Cheers to the Acklam lads for the game and massive shout out to all the lads who stepped up to play for you on what would be a day off. We know we will be in for a tough game in there return match where I am sure your squad will have a more familiar look. Shout out to Paddy who I thought was outstanding despite the somewhat one sided score line.

Thank you to Alun Ross for taking charge of the game - no real issues in a game played in decent spirit. Only one card for an Acklam player for some footwork and some decent advantage played.

Our lads - great November where we targeted 14 points and achieved 16 with wins over Westoe, Hartlepool and Acklam and a bonus point against Guisborough. We are in a pretty good place with the 2's flying and indoor training secured at Dame Allan's School for December and January. This all sets up a huge December with games against Ryton, Rockcliff and Bishop Auckland before xmas. Then we have our John Elders match against RGS Old Boys on the 30th.

Up the Vos !