Novos 27, Rockcliff 13 - Mud Glorious Mud

Bit of a chaotic lead up to the game as Charlie Muse and Charlie Lawlor were struck down by illness. In came Theo Mouille and David Medjigbodo-Lawson onto the bench which bumped Morgan Scrace into the starting fifteen.

The pitch was almost unplayable but we wanted the game played as we already have a cup match to try fit in at some stage. Rockcliff's attitude was welcomed - lets get on with it they said.

We started well with a clear plan of trying to kick and trap without letting their dangerous 15 able to counter. It worked well as we put Rock on their 5m line and got stuck into their scrum. On the back foot we forced an awful clearance which was fielded by Michael Lehmann. We drove back towards the line and after several pick n go's Tom Taylor crashed over.

This stung Rockcliff into action and their 8 who we'd targeted on keeping quiet crashed over in a double tackle. Despite feeling we were playing well we were behind 5-7 after 15 mins.

Novos missed a couple of opportunities to score after some fine carrying by Louis Matthews and a line break by Sam Ogilvie. One opportunity nearly caused an injury as Rhys Merlane kicked a loose ball ahead and in diving for the ball crashed into the fencing. We were the next to score however, as we continued to kick into the corners. Pressure was rewarded as Michael Searle kicked a penalty to put us back into the lead.

Our next score was a fine team try as we kicked and forward grass then a poor kick was fielded by Louis Matthews. He made a line break and we were quickly back into their 22m. A couple of carries at the ruck and Rock's defensive line was shortened. Lewis Chater then executed a beautiful cross field kick to Michael Lehmann who caught the ball and dived over the line. 13-7 Novos at half time.

On came Theo Mouile and Brandon Gilbert at half time with discussions about continuing to kick behind their wingers and more energy in the scrum for longer. However, it was Rock who started the half the stronger with some decent off loading leading to a penalty being converted. 13-10 and game on.

We then grabbed hold of the game with some excellent defence - we turned over a lot of ball at the breakdown with George Bambrick and Louis Matthews leading the way. In additon, Theo Mouille was targeting the ball in his hits and dislodging the ball on numerous occasions. His energy was contagious at times in the second half but unwelcomed by Rock as their 7 was red carded for punching. A pretty poor punch that didn't cause any damage but the ref, Ben Glover had no option but to send him off.

Rock kept eight in their scrum but we managed to push them over for a try - great work from the engine room of Tom Taylor, Sion Gittins, Morgan Scrace, Jonny Allton and Jeremy Hunt. Always great to get a push over try as Dylan Gittins benefited by hanging on to the scrum and diving over. Conversion added by Searle for 20-13.

Our opponents were not finished though as they put in one last event - we held them up over our try line twice before they finally ran out of steam. Theo Mouille with another shot causing a loose ball which was moved to Tom Taylor. He fed Sam Ogilvie who made an outside break and off loaded back inside to Taylor. Despite needing the try for the bonus point we stayed calm on the last play of the game and recycled possession. Then in a role reversal Michael Searle put Lewis Chater over on a hard line - kick added by Searle. Huge swing at the end as we got the 4 try bonus point and denied Rock a losing bonus point.

Thank you to Ben Glover - a great display of reffing in difficult conditions, stayed calm and made the right call on the red card.

Thought Rock benefited from the conditions as their lineout was a handful and they caused us a lot of problems with their off-loading game. However, we nullified your best threats at 8/12 and 15 so much better than when we played you last time. I was adamant it was going to finish 20 all when you had that last crack at us with ten mins to go.

Delighted for our lads to avenge an annoying loss at the start of the season when a young side made too many errors. The pack were excellent and delivered on the gain line as demanded. Tom Taylor was rightly awarded man of the match but I also thought Louis Matthews and George Bambrick were outstanding round the park. In addtition, Theo Mouille had a very influential 40 mins and we is showing a huge amount of potential going forward.

Next week we are away to Bishop Auckland - a huge set of lads up front and a big 12 that we will need to stop on the gain line. However, today was an excellent template for next weeks game.

Up the Vos !