Novos 22, Pont 15 - Searle Victorious On Return

Things didn't go well before the game as Michael Searle copped a load of abuse as he walked out onto the pitch of his former club. Didn't think any of it was funny or banter - poor craic from their lads. We didn't warm up well with a lot of errors so it was not a surprise that we got off to a slow start today. A poor clearance kick gifted Ponteland possession and territory and they went in off the kick off. Not ideal.

However, we then settled into the game and there were some big early moments as our scrum never budged, we showed good patience in attack and made some line breaks. We missed a couple of opportunities to score before Louis Matthews made a line break which eventually lead to a George Bambrick try. 5 all.

Our lineout was functioning well with Tom Dias nailing his throws in difficult conditions. So we dominated possession as debutant Morgan Scrace shone at scrum time alongside Tom Taylor and the boys in the engine room in Matthew Dawson and Jonny Allton.

We missed another opportunity to score after a Lewis Chater line break. However, we did get our second try when Chater grubbered through the defensive line for Sam Busby to beat the cover for the score. Great side line conversion by Michael Searle. 12-5 Novos.

The game got a bit fractious at this point and escalated when Rhys Merlane was hit with a decent cheap shot and Harry Tankard was whacked in the face. Our boys got stuck in and looked after their mates.

Ponteland got into the game for a short period with the 13 causing us some issues before Greg Abibu was yellow carded for a head-on head contact. The boys defended well down a man and worked hard for each other gaining some important turnovers. Against the run of play we went down the other end and Searle kicked a penalty for a half time score of 15-5.

We should've been further ahead as were dominant and made several line breaks but didn't turn them into points. We hoped it was going to come back to haunt us as Ponteland scored again from the kick off. 15-10 game on.

The boys made some errors in attack which led to Ponteland dominating possession and they were camped in our half for most of the second period. However, defensively we showed great spirit and repelled Ponteland on every occasion - a real team effort countering mauls and stopping Ponteland's biggest weapon - their scrum. Huge moment in the last 20 mins as we drove the Ponteland scrum back and got a tighthead.

In attack we only had one moment of brilliance but it was enough to grab our third try and grab the game by the scruff of the neck. From a scrum just outside our own 22 we went blind with George Bambrick feeding Ian Ramsay. He executed a great clearing kick and then mowed down Ponteland's 15. We turned the ball over at the breakdown and moved the ball to Searle who executed another perfect kick through for Lewis Chater to gather and score under the posts. Novos 22-10

Ponteland managed to score a consolation try on the last play to perhaps earn a well deserved bonus point - making the final score 22-15.

Thanks to Graham Crozier for reffing - back to his old confidence self with some great decision making. Sorry I didn't manage to catch up with you afterwards but I thought you had a very good game.

Cheers to the Ponteland lads - great to catch up with another Old Allanian this week in Cam Horrocks as well as some old friends. We wish Chris Searle well in recovering from his knee injury.

Great win for our lads - amazing feeling going back to back for the first time this season in the league.

Man of the match was awarded to Lewis Chater by Ponteland although I thought Scrace and Taylor were huge in the scrum, Matthews and Bambrick were everywhere whilst Chater, Searle and Abibu were very important in the backs. A team effort to get the win.

Next week we have Acklam at home and we will need everyone available after a few lads took knocks today that may make them unavailable next week.

Up the Vos !