We arrived at Ashbrooke on time and as expected, cricket was in full flow - half of us watched some cricket whilst the others changed as space was at a premium. Our opponents were nowhere to be found, choosing to use the changing rooms at the pitch up on the hill. After some tunes provided from Ant McQuillin's trusty speaker, the boys got back in cars to make the short trip to Hill View Playing Fields. A touring game was on which Sunderland looked to be dominating - hopefully that was not to be repeated in the main fixture.

Sunderland looked down a couple of bodies and we probably had out our strongest side of the season. Hopefully, enough to reverse the two narrow losses we had sustained at the hands of the league winners, unbeaten Sunderland.

In a throwback to some 70's or 80s French game on YouTube, we set the tone we wanted - Josh Farley kicking the ball dead so we could show Sunderland we had come here with a much improved scrum. We held the first scrum with the returning Tom Taylor, anchoring the loosehead, Sion Gittins at hooker and David Medjigbodo-Lawson at tighthead. Scrum coach Jonny McSorley frothing at the mouth from the sideline as he watched each scrum throughout the day like it was life or death.

We felt we edged the early exchanges, securing lineout possession via Dylan Gittins and Josh Farley kicking the ball in behind. We controlled the gain line most of the day and went deep into Sunderland's 22m. The forwards went to their pick and go game before Rob Baldwin drove over close to the posts. Conversion added by Farley for 7-0.

Our second try of the day was a repeat of the first, with the Gittins brothers connecting at linoeout time. Baldwin made a strong carry and once again the fowards stuck it up their jumper. Unnoticed, Tom Taylor had not moved from the lineout - surely a cunning ploy. Darren Kelly as usual with a heads up play found him with the pass. Kelly got the ball back from Taylor via an offload, and we were 12-0 up and on top.

If it ain't broke dont fix it as we were to go in for our third try in similar fashion. Gittins to Gittins, then this time it was Jonny Allton with the line bust. Rhys Merlane had a dart from nine and nearly went over. We recycled the ball a couple of times, long enough for Merlane to get back to his feet and find Michael Searle. He was hit two metres short but spun out of the tackle and some leg drive took him over. Conversion added by Farley for 19-0.

We were winning the physical contest across the park which we'd not done in previous games against Sunderland. A memorable run came in the form of Rob Baldwin, throwing a would-be tackler several metres.

Sunderland who won the league at a canter finally showed some signs of life as we got a bit narrow in defence. Merlane tracking back stopped the attack but just when we looked like we'd recovered, we missed a one-on-one tackle as they scored to make it 19-7 as the half ended.

With a huge win behind us, many at the ground thought that we did not have a strong enough lead. However, there was a lot of energy in the huddle about the fact that we had been excellent in defence, accurate in their 22m but still hadn't attacked with the ambition we'd spoken about mid week. On came Morgan Scrace and Louis Matthews, whilst Lewis Chater had already come on for Sam Cleife who had a cut on his head.

From the kick off we looked more fluent as Matthews went out the back to Farley. Unlike the first half no miss passes were thrown as the ball went through 2-3 sets of hands. Sam Busby then burst through the defence and went down to touchline he offloaded inside to Searle who had somehow kept up. He crashed over for a huge score into the wind, extending our lead to 24-7.

Within minutes we were back in Sunderland's 22m and won another lineout near the line. Darren Kelly at point was pulling the strings in the second half - tipping the ball to Searle to get us over the gain line. Tom Taylor carried the ball round the corner with enough width to change the defensive set up. Recognising a hole Baldwin took a quick pick n go dropped down low and crashed over. Conversion added by Farley for 31-7.

Sunderland was reeling at this stage, a huge upset now on the cards. Despite two narrow league losses, we had confidence knowing that Sunderland had not played this squad before and looked a little weaker than normal.

Louis Matthews made a trademark line break and the Josh Farley grubbered the ball in behind. We turned the full back over and carried hard on the edge of the ruck. We out worked the defence round the corner for Michael Searle to crash over for his hat-trick. Conversion added by Farley 38-7.

Our final try was the best of the lot as Medjigbodo-Lawson and friends had a huge scrum, Sam Cleife had come back on and stepped inside two Sunderland players. Kelly at point again, out the back to Farley, then out the back of another blocker shape to Jubb. Ball was moved out wide to Lewis Chater who got outside his man in little or no space, off load to Busby who was off again. Inside to Brandon Gilbert who had been tracking on the inside after being part of the blocker shape. Lift to Rhys Merlane for one of the try's of the season. Conversion by Farley pushed us out to 45-7.

Sunderland looked to end the game with some pride but all looked lost as Medjigbodo-Lawson, Sion Gittins, Moregan Scrace and friends won a scrum penalty. All that was left to do was put the ball out and end the game - however, the wind was so bad that the kick off the pitch blew back to Josh Farley, more embarrassment as he was turned over and Sunderland did get some pride back as they scored in the corner. Final score 45-12.

With a journey back to the sheds it only seemed fitting to walk across the road to the pub and sit in the sun with friends and family for a beer. Unreal support from the wider Vos family.

Thank you to Sunderland who were clear winners in our three match series 2 wins to 1 - Novos taking the win against a Sunderland side without some key players. We wish you well in the league above and will keep a key eye on results.

Next week we are somehow on our travels again - despite our opponents, Stamford winning their home quarterfinal. Not to sure who organises the comp, but it's crazy to think that's Medicals away, Wigton away and Sunderland away with no bar revenue coming from our cup run.

All aboard the fun bus next week, a few lads are missing next week, but those available will be chomping at the bit to create some more memories.

Up the Vos !

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