Sensational Comeback Victory

Squad - Johnny McSorley, Mickey Ferguson (league debut) Tom Taylor, Matt Dawson (league debut) Jonny Allton, George Bambrick, Louis Matthews, Dylan Gittins, Ian Ramsay, Lewis Chater, Luke Masters, Sam Bird, Brandon Gilbert, Rhys Merlane, Sam Busby, Charlie Lawlor (league debut) Alex Cleminson, Shaun Stewart

Training had gone pretty well despite a couple of last minute cry offs and things couldn't have gone better in the early exchanges. Boys putting things into practice with loads of lads on our feet knowing Meds would spin it wide early. Whilst Lewis Chater was playing ten we had spoke about him defending out wide. Within 90 secs he had intercepted a wide pass from the Meds 10 and sprinted in under the posts. Conversion added by Sam Bird.

A great start was backed up off the kick off as Dylan Gittins took the deep kick off and made a line break up to have way. Unfortunately, in the process he sustained an injury he would later succumb to.

Medicals grew into the game, dominant in possession stats as we struggled to win a lineout and fell foul of some correct whistling regarding tackle height. They should have scored earlier but some wayward handling in their backs prevented them from scoring. Eventually, they went in from an attack off a lineout for 7-7.

We kept them at bay whilst we were having a poor spell in attack - coughing up possession at set piece and not supporting the ball well enough at times. Things got even tougher when George Bambrick was penalised at a lineout and yellow carded.

The boys some real energy and spirit in defence to keep out a series of line outs and scrums. However, on the stroke of half time Medicals scored a try that we could have avoided with better scanning in defence. Half time 14-7 to Meds.

Half time discussions were about having as much fun in attack as we were in defence. Remembering absence player coach Michael Searle had challenged us to score four tries.

We couldn't have got off to a worse start as a horrific kick off some how found grass and bounced to a Meds player. After a rewind they scored in the corner to make it 19-7. Ouch.

Novos then got into a grove - dominating the gain line with some great carries from Louis Matthews, Matt Dawson and Jonny Allton. In defence, George Bambrick was chopping everything allowing Tom Taylor to get an important steal which led to a Sam Busby break.

On 50 mins we made it game on as Ian Ramsay delivered a huge box kick out of defence. The Meds fullback tracked back and put in a horrendous kick for Sam Bird to gather. Bird then beat two defenders to run in under the posts, which he duly converted to make it 14-19.

From the kick off Louis Matthews sat down 2-3 defenders to get us field position. With a struggling lineout we took quick taps and looked excited to carry and move the ball into space at the right times.

After a great carry from Jonny Allton he off loaded to Sam Bird who again beat two defenders down a narrow channel to level the scores at 19 all. We were now in complete control of possession with the whilste going in our favour including a yellow card for a Medicals forward.

Novos then scored their best try of the day as almost every player touching the ball before the ball was moved to Sam Busby who grubbered passed the defensive line. He won the race to the loose ball but was ushered out of the way at the last minute only for Lewis Chater to sneak up and dive on it. Really important conversion kicked by Shaun Stewart to put us out by seven points 26-19.

Medicals kicked deep into our 22m and I loved that we ran it out rather than kicked away possession. A break by Brandon Gilbert got us much further up the field and eventually led to a penalty. Shaun Stewart kicked the penalty to make Meds need to score twice in the last two minutes.

Our opponents were not finished however as the desperately looked to get something out of the game. They looked in for all money but a corner flagging Ian Ramsay put in a huge hit to give us possession. The boys locked out one last scrum to deny Medicals a bonus point and claim a historic comeback win 29-19.

Thank you to Alun Ross for taking control of the game - some excellent decision making at times and appreciated his time in the bar to explain a couple that I wasn't too sure about. I hope you have an enjoyable season with the whistle and continue to climb the ladder.

Cheer to the Medicals boys - we are under no illusions that you were missing some key players but we wanted to make sure we made the most of that opportunity. Your lineout defence was excellent and you had earned you lead but perhaps bombed a few other scores that would've put the game to bed. Sure you will bounce back next week against Bishop Auckland.

Delighted with our lads - some real character shown in the second half and some problem solving around our lack of possession in the first half. Some incredible individual performances but also a couple of big moments for our youngsters - Rhys Merlane 1 v 1 tackles out wide, Charlie Lawlor with a couple of important scrums in the last 20. However, player of the day went to Louis Matthews with Medicals finding him a handful ball in hand.

Next week we play Rockcliff away with what will be a much changed side with approx 19 first team squad members unavailable. However, some exciting players becoming available this week. Amateur rugby at its finest as we look to go back to back and avenge some poor results again Rock last season.

What a win boys with Ian Ramsay pictured collecting the McQuillan Jug - his brother Sean was the last Novos player to hoist it in the 2018-19 season. A great moment for the Ramsay boys.

Up the Vos !