First of all, a massive thank you to everyone that helped out to get this fixture played. From the refs society, who called out on Friday afternoon to declare the pitch safe but probably not much fun. To the volunteers and club officials who turned up as stupid o'clock on Saturday morning to fork the pitch. Finally, to our opponents who turned up and just said we've played on worse so lets get the game on.

We started on top after Horden's kicker didnt boot it ten and from the scrum option we set the tone. Decent competition at the feed but our secondary push won us the scrum penalty. Intent shown as requested at training during the week. However, the first 15 mins was all about us dominating scrums, territory but missing opportunities.

At times we looked un-Novos like as we missed touch, dropped a cross field kick for a try but we were camped in Horden's 22m early doors. It took a counter attack to get our first try. Sam Cleife burst down the far touch line but 5 metres from the line was victim of a high shot. Theer was definitely cover so no yellow card - good decision by the ref. It looked like we had lost another opportunity after missing the lineout connection. However, the pack smashed into Horden and got a tighthead. After a couple of carries Tom Taylor crashed over for the opening try. Nice conversion added by Josh Farley to make it 7-0 after 8 mins.

Horden are in the top five for a reason and they got on a roll straight after we scored. They were gifted two soft penalties which gave them possession and territory. We looked set in defence but missed a one on one tackle as they scored a decent unconverted try. Game on 7-5 us.

Cameron Wallace and Josh Farley were winning the kicking game and pinning Horden in their half. However, we didn't take advantage of a steal by Michael Searle as we missed touch again from the penalty. We got a bit frustrated due to missed opportunities and our own poor discipline.
This culminated in a yellow card to Max Cook who took a lad out in the air after a towering box kick from Cameron Wallace. Again, ref Graham Crozier made the right decision whilst we continued to make the wrong ones.

Despite being down to 14 men we put in a great defensive shift and should actually have scored. Josh Farley put in a big miss pass which put Michael Searle outside his man. With Sam Busby racing up in support we couldn't find him as a defender eventually blocked the passing channel. More frustration and handbags thrown as Sam Busby retaliated to some holding, probably doing more damage to his mate than the opponent !

Perhaps sticking up for each other galvanised us as Josh Farley hit his customary 50/22. From the lineout Louis Matthews had a great carry as Jonny Cotterill followed that up carrying round the corner. We had Horden trapped in their 22m and as they tried to clear a few mins later Andrew Kirton charged down a poor attempt at a box kick. Rob Baldwin scooped up the ball, beat two men and the moved it to Michael Searle. With a well timed pass, Searle put in George Bambrick for the try. Simple conversion added by Josh Farley to push the score out to 14-5.

Just before half time there was another coming together as Sam Busby copped a deliberate knee to the head behind play. Their 3 was a bit edgy throughout the game, despite having the perfect playing conditions for him to have a good time. Although, the same could be said for our lads who were undisciplined at times. So 14- 5 at half time and the rare decision made to not make any changes just try and change the decisions we were making round the park.

We were in more control of the game at the beginning of the second half. A powerful run coming from Max Cook, beating a couple of forwards before bouncing off a couple of backs. He was scragged and we looked in if we got quick ball but Horden were aware of that and a fella just dived on the ruck, killing it. We got the penalty but the play was so cynical further punishment was surely warranted. Horden were punished though as Jonny Cotterill linked with Sion Gittins at the lineout. Gittins racing in for an unconverted try giving us 30 mins to get the bonus point try. Novos 19, Horden 5.

The next twenty mins saw some great defence from the lads as Horden tried to get back in the game. Sion Gittins with a vital steal on our try line and Harry Tankard making some big hits. Eventually, Michael Searle and Louis Matthews got us back on attack by dominating the gain line. We though we had scored the bonus point try but we were correctly called for obstruction at the maul. However, I'd argue that Horden cant be allowed to just walk away from the lineout.

With two mins to go Horden tried to clear their lines but gave us an opportunity to counter via Michael Searle who put Sam Busby in space. After the next carry we reversed play back to Searle who put Harry Tankard in for the bonus point try - huge. Conversion added by Josh Farley. Vos up 26-5.

Last play at the kick off and as a group we decided to play rather than kick it out. Dont mind this attitude at all - Novos are about playing rugby after all are we ? Eventually, we lost possession and it was Horden who scored the last try to make the final score 26-12.

It was great to see Graham Crozier again - great comms as expected and always a pleasure to have him referee us.

Horden lads - gave us a tough game around the park and at lineout time. We wish you well in your remaining games and look forward to hearing about your game against Ryton on the 7th March.

Novos lads - captain Josh Farley summed it up pretty well. Great to get the win and keep our record intact and do it without really scoring tries in our usual manner. Not often we score four tries and only one of them from our packs. We have had a settle pack for three or four games now and it has mattered - especially at scrum time. Ryton didn't play so we have gone six points ahead until they play their catch up game against Stockton. Meanwhile, we play the third of our four games against Medicals. This time it is a home game in what is the semi final of the senior plate competition.

Up the Vos !