Novos 67, South Shields & Westoe 5

A weakened Westoe side arrived at Sutherland Park on Saturday with several faces we had not seen before. On the other hand we were fairly strong despite the wear and tear of a rugby season ruling out regular first teamers in - Matthew Dawson, Theo Mouille, Darren Kelly and Carl Ferguson. Even with these injuries competition is pretty good across the squads allowing us to rest Tom Dias, Louis Matthews and our captain George Bambrick (congrats to you and Jess on the birth of your daughter)

The match was pretty even in the opening exchanges as Westoe tried to use their go to weapon but we had worked hard at training stopping a rolling maul. Twice in the opening moment we allowed them to win the ball at the front and then smashed them into touch. Other attempts attacks were thwarted by some great chop tackles by Tom Taylor and Jez Hunt leading to steals by Michael Searle and Jonny Allton.

In bizarre circumstances this season we have scored 3-4 tries from missing touch and it occurred again when Searle faded one back infield. However, a horrific kick by Westoe went into midfield to be gathered by Allton. He crabbed across the pitch and as the defence got in his face he put Sam Busby into a gap at full pace. The fullback scorched in from 45 metres out. Conversion added by Searle for 7-0.

Our next score once again came from a poor Westoe clearing kick - this time fielded by Busby who danced around a defender before feeding Eoghan Phillips. He kept ball in hand beating a defender on the inside then carrying further after a great NFL style block by Searle. At the ruck Searle got up quicker than the defence and was on hand to crash over from a short distance. 12-0

Westoe then had a spell of pressure and their 13 broke the line and scored a fine individual try. In a losing side he was to be a menace all afternoon ball in hand. 12-5 as a relatively easy conversion was missed.

From the restart Lewis Chater nailed the drop kick for Gilbert to take in his stride and carve into the 22m. Strong carries by Alex Watson on debut and then Allton as got over the gain line. We went the same way as Harry Tankard danced past two defenders before off loading on the inside to Ollie Towe - supporting the break like all 9's should.

The second half finished with one more score as Westoe won a lineout but could only tap it down. Hunt was the first to the loose ball and lifted it to Chater who had been hiding in the hooker channel. He raced into the 22m and we then recycled the ball before Brandon Gilbert went over in the opposite corner to the original lineout. Great conversion added from wide out by Searle to make the half time score 24-5.

Shortly after the start of the second half we scored our third counter attack try as another poor kick from Westoe was punished. Busby fielding the ball before looping around Searle. We maintained possession for 3-4 more rucks before Chater put Tankard in from close range. Conversion added by Searle 31-5.

Westoe had a sustained spell of pressure during this period but our energy and desire to smash them back was brilliant. After 5 mins on our line we broke out and were awarded a scrum 40m out. Barney Youlden on at 9 set the backs away for another one of our pull shapes however Searle had other ideas as the defence drifted he lifted the ball for Gilbert to carve up. Conversion added by Searle 38-5.

Westoe kicked us into our 22m and we tried to run it out - little bit loose but Gilbert broke the line with some great feet. We tried to pull it out the back next phase but the pass went astray. However, Watson scooped the ball up and motored past three defenders before completing the 2 on 1 with the fullback for Ewan Strachan to run it in. 43-5.

From the kick off Dylan Gittins made a line break - it has been ridiculous this season how many line breaks he has made with a line of defenders in front of him. He beat two defenders with footwork and leg drive then off loaded in the tackle to Lewis Chater who raced in for the last 40 metres. Conversion added by Searle for 50-5.

Our next try came from a turnover at ruck time and the ball was moved to Tankard. He put Searle into a hole 35 metres out - most people went and grabbed a beer at the bar and got back just in time to see him crash over the last couple of metres. The centre managed to grab his breath back in time to knock over the conversion 57-5.

The day got worse for Westoe as the resulting kick off did not go ten metres. With scrums now uncontested due to injury of a Westoe front rower we were able to execute a beautiful 8/9/15 for Busby to beat a few cover defenders for a long range try. 62-5.

Our final score came from a scrappy first phase move whereby we nearly lost the ball. However, when regathered we rewound it back towards the set piece for Sion Gittins to throw a miss pass to his brother. Dylan Gittins caught the pass with just under 50m to go - the back rower out paced a Westoe defender to make the line break. He then stepped inside the cover defender to score wide out. Conversion missed for a final score of 67-5.

We wish South Shields & Westoe the best with their final games of what has been a long season for them. We too have had some tough seasons and hope that you can regroup and get back to the formidable side you have been in the past. It was great to get a hug off a few of the old boys after the game - so many great memories during my time there.

Thank you to Micky Cooper for reffing - a fine display with some excellent decisions throughout for and against us. Sorry I didn't catch you I the bar afterwards but there was a lot of muddy kit to tidy away. Will try reach out to you during the week.

Next week we have a rest of sorts although there is the small matter of a social on Saturday at the club. Then we take on Guisborough in a huge fixture for the club as they have been the only side to beat us at home to date.

Up the Vos !