We knew Fortress Vos was going to have its foundations shook on Saturday but by 1630 it was only just left standing. Durham Uni were somewhat of an unknown quantity heading into this game. There are not many sides in our league that want to run the ball like us so we were not too sure our normal template of high tempo rugby would suffice. In addition, with 8 out of the 18 selected still unwell on Thursday we were not sure how much energy we'd have in the tank.

The boys knew they'd need to start strong given the amount of illness in the camp but it was Duham Uni that nearly scored first. They broke through and only a desperate tap tackle from Cameron Wallace kept them at bay.

Sam Busby made our first line break of the day and got us into Durham territory. Our lineout has been a real strength this season but struggled early doors and we couldnt capitalize on field postion. In the end it was off a scrum that we scored our first points as Dylan Gittins and Cameron Wallace put in Sam Busby. The fullback still had a lot to do when he received the ball but after two side steps he found himself across the line. Conversion added by Josh Farley. 7-0 Vos.

From the kick off Sion Gittins made a line bust and we back into enemy territory. We missed a couple of opportunities - bombing an overlap and Duham scrambling well. We maintained field position and hammered away at the try line, changing the picture of the defence in front of us. When they had narrowed sufficiently, Josh Farley chipped the ball out wide for Adam Lambert to go in untouched.

We went 17-0 up after Josh Farley once again pinned the uni lads in their own half. We countered at a ruck around half way with both Dylan and SIon Gittins pushing them off the ball. Ben Jubb who was nearby kicked a loose ball ahead and won the race.

Durham Uni have been on the rise in recent weeks and grabbed hold of the game at 20 mins. They had some good backs but it was their rangey loose forwards that were causing the damage. In our 22m they moved the ball wide and looked like they had scored. However, the ref decided it was a high tackle so awarded a penalty try. We were lucky to not receive a yellow card once he had made the decision. Novos in the lead 17-7 but under pressure.

The visiting team were perhaps unlucky to only go in once more in the next 15 mins after scoring another try out wide for 17-12. Josh Farley and Sam Busby managing an odd man rush to cover three lads between them and Farley force a knock on in the tackle.

Durham Uni were having a great spell either side of half time and were nearly in again. This time it was Harry Tankard who raced back and kept them out. They did go in momenst later when their 9 made a dart and raced in. Durham were unlucky to not go into the lead as the conversion was very kickable but ball fell of the tee. Drop goal under pressure sailed wide and it was 17-17 after 50 mins of play.

We got back into the game, into the wind and the game in the balance Sam Busby made another line break. We were in their 22m and rewarded with a number of infractions by the uni side penalised. Ben Jubb stepped up and took a quick chip rather than a quick tap. Despite the ball taking forever to return into his hands he eventually lifted the ball to Sam Busby for the try. The boys back out to 22-17 and looking to push on.

The game was nearly sealed from the kick off as once again the uni side made an error. From the scrum Alex Donaghy skinned his man and looked for all money to be in but an ankle tap from their 9 stopped our momentum. Only for a short while as a Durham Uni player was again penalised. Josh Farley added the three pointsm making it 25-17.

Both side missed opportunitys during the 60-70 min spell - Durham offloading game was a excellent although just when they looked to be in George Bambrick managed to get in a passing lane. We also had chances that went astray which become more of a worry when they crashed over for 25-24.

Our opponents scored almost straight away, again via their back rowers whose off loading couldnt be stopped at times. A try under the posts converted to give them a six point lead 25-31. Novos have only lost one home league game in the last 18 months and as such gave it one last push. Literally, as we won a scrum penalty under the sticks. The boys hammered away and Durham got a team warning for consistent infringing. We chose to take a scrum and Dylan Gittins nearly went in. Cameron Wallace moved the ball out wide to Sam Busby who again moved it to Alex Donaghy. The Newcastle Thunder captain only had five metres of space and the cover defence flying at him. He beat his man in little or no space and managed to get round to put the ball down 15m from the posts. Josh Farley calmly stepped up and put the kick over. Ninety seconds to go and we were up 32-21.

Oddly the Durham boys went long and Josh Farley melted a long kick. Durham in their 22 could only try kick again and hope for an error or a jackal. Farley, was out the back again and this time pinned the students back on their 5m line. Boys went into full energy mode, emptying whatever we had left. We turned them over on the 22m for the win !

Awesome to play a side like Durham Uni who like us have a real desire to play the game at pace, moving the ball and playing 15 man rugby. Felt like we were very lucky to win the game. Sure by the next time we see you that you'll be in the top five and hunting down whoever is at the top. Most of the lads were in agreement that you will only get stronger throughout the season.

Thank you, Stanley Van Den Heever - well reffed game and not a lot of controversy. Hope to see you at Sutherland Park again in the near future.

Our lads - been a nightmare of a week with selections only confirmed on Saturday morning once the ill had been accounted for. Sure we will play better next time we meet them and we will have to play better to beat Horden away next week. Three games away next week so please make yourselves available as we try to build on the momentum we have as a club.

Huge week as Stockton play Durham Uni and we travel to Horden - could well be that there is only one unbeaten team after the weekend or even no one.

Up the Vos !

In fact it was Duham