We should've known it was going to be an incident packed day after the bus ropped its side mirror off after just 150m of our journey. Head of Rugby, Nick Cotterill stepped up (literally) and sorted the issue out and we were back on the road again. Drama not over yet as we take a wrong turn whilst picking up Simeon Archibald from Ferrbridge and we get a tad stuck again.

Eventually, we arrived pretty much on time and the boys headed for the changing rooms on a blistering hot day. Our supporters headed to the nearest beer garden to sample some local ales.

We made an amazing start, long kick off and stopped their big back rowers and Stamford were forced to kick. Sam Busby fielded the ball shaped to go one way and the bounced back. He put Josh Farley on the outside of his man and we got a line break. One on one with the fullback, Farley stepped outside and ghosted passed for the opening score. Incredible scenes - conversion kicked by Farley for a 7-0 lead.

Novos were all over our opponents perhaps catching them by suprise with our intensity. We woke them up first scrum as we got under them and pushed their much heavier pack backwards. On the back foot they were unable to launch and a chop tackle by Ben Jubb allowed Tom Westgarth to get over the ball for the steal. However, we were unable to turn the pressure into puts with Stamford eventually sorting their scrum out and their back rowers providing some go-forward. They kicked a penalty to make it 7-3.

This didnt deter us as we swept back on attack. Despite being the smaller side, we took them on around the fringes with some strong carries by the likes of Michael Searle, Louis Matthews, George Bambrick before Rob Baldwin sat a lad down. Whilst on the front foot Ben Jubb scooted over from that ruck to make it 12-3.

Over what would be 100 mins of rugby by the end it was a game of small margins and at times we didnt get the rub off the green. Louis Matthews rode a very high shot well but we lost the ball next ruck - they moved it wide. The ball was spilled and the ref signalled scrum - however, as we walked in the AR said penalty to Stamford which they took quickly and moved the ball to the now unprotected area in midfield. We nearly kept them out but they scored in the corner for a soft try.

The second part of the first half would prove costly as we dominated possession and territory but only came away with 7 points from a try by Rob Baldwin and the conversion added by Farley. 19-3 up after 25 mins but then came our worst spell of the game with errors and a lack of discipline.

We were turned over from the kick off and Stamford turned down a couple of kickable penalties. Right decision, as they crashed over after some strong carries by their back rowers who were proving to be a handful. Novos still up 19-10 but under a lot of pressure as our opponents broke out in a game of league. A lot of one pass carrying which we struggled to stop as they had so much front foot ball.

After an error we then conceeded back to back penalties and they were in again. In a moment we had lost a 16 point lead for it to be 19-17. Things got even worse with more errors and penalties which eventual led to George Bambrick going in the bin due to a penalty try. Lead gone 24-19 down now with half time signalled.

With 14 men at the start of the second half we needed to regroup howver, Stamford went over off a ruck when we looked reasoanbly set in defence. Conversion added to make it 31-19.

A few boys off the bench to try and add some energy and we got back into the game - finally able to play some high tempo rugby with quick taps and some kicks in behind turing them round. We got stuck in up front and from a loose ball Rob Baldwin crashed over again. 31-26 after a great conversion wide out by Farley.

It felt like we were back on top - Morgan Scrace feeding Ben Jubb for a break down the sideline. There was defender in the passing lane to Brandon Gilbert so a wide pass was needed but it didnt hit us in stride. We regathered the ball but momentum was gone. However, not all was lost after Josh Farley put in what looked like a 50/22. Their 15 batted the ball back into play only for Ben Jubb to scoop up the loose ball. Jubb was smashed by a high tackle in the act of scoring but in a huge call the ref said it was after the try - didnt look like it live. Couldve done with the yellow card being issued.

We came under pressure after the kick off and with a very creative offside ruling we went behind again 34-31. We then had a couple of chances to take the win but a lineout close to the line was lost. We regained possession and earned a penalty in front of the posts ten metres out. Easy decision to tie it up and take the game into extra time 34-34 as Farley added the three.

We felt like we were on a roll and extra time would be ours however, we set an awful tone off the kick off with a missed tackle. They played some one pass rugby carrying hard with their back rowers again leading the way and they went in for a 7 point lead. Into the wind we won a penalty and kicked for the corner. Beautifully executed lineout as Callum Todd hit the tail. We looked in for all money as we drove towards the line. They countered and we spun away for the line but got rolled over and held up. Things got worse as we then lost a 5m lineout for the half time extra period whistle to blow.

The short break was spent fishing through the rules, making ourselves aware that a draw would send us through as the away team. Wind at our tailes - lets go.

Sam Busby and Lewis Chater combined for a line break but we couldnt finish. Stamford worked there way back into our half with a scrum 40m out. We smashed their scrum and their 8 knocked the ball but as it was unseen the carried into the middle. Michael Searle and George Bambrick jamming on the ball for what looked like a blatant turnover. Whistle went and much to our annoyance, it was not in our favour - kick went over and suddenly we had 5 mins left and 10 points to make up.

We did manage to score via Sam Busby but there was no added time for us to seek the points we needed. Conversion not really attempted as we couldnt win so Stamford took the 5 point win and went on to Twickenham.

Congrats to Stamford - thought your back rowers were the difference.

Very proud of our boys but with four lads missing out of the pack our opponents strengths were perhaps not negated enough. Despite the loss we enjoyed the challenge, atmosphere on the bus was excellent on the way home. Next year we will do everything we can to go all the way to the final.

Up the Vos !