There was a disrupted buildup into the game as a few of the youngsters got lost getting to Stockton's ground. However, once we were all there, we built nicely with real accuracy in the warm-up. Warm-ups can be misleading, as we were about to prove.

From the off we made several unforced errors - dropping simple passes, risking offloads and missing touch. There were positives in the early exchanges though with where our set piece was dominant. In addition, our goal line defence withstood early pressure, Sam Busby made some great cover tackles and Louis Matthews got a big steal on our goal line.

Eventually, Stockton wore us down and opened the scoring catching us napping on the short side. Conversion added as they deservedly went into the lead.

Nothing seemed to be going right for us as we went to launch off a lineout but the ref got in the way of our 9 and 10 and we turned the ball over. Sam Cleife made an important cover tackle and perhaps our luck finally changed as Stockton bombed a 3 on 1 due to a forward pass.

Novos went up the pitch via the boot of Cam Wallace and Josh Farley. This lead to a Sion Gittins steal at the back of the lineout and a penalty at the ruck. We went to the corner, hit George Bambrick at the tail and drove in the maul with SIon Gittins on the back of it. Conversion added by Josh Farley 7-7.

We were finally starting to play some Novos rugby with Louis Matthews and Michael Searle winning the gain line battles. We worked our way back into Stockton's 22m. Huge scrum from the lads and shouldve had a penalty with all of Stockton's back row off the scrum and their backs not back 5 when the ball came out. However, we didnt get the whistle, probably because we dropped the ball. Stockon picked it up and their speedster tore down the far side. Josh Farley got a decent angle on him and made a covering tackle but it was correctly ruled high and he got a yellow card.

The boys were momentarily off the hook as Andrew Kirton gained possession after a wayward throw. However, we were penalised at the breakdown and Stockton struck a long range penalty to go back into the lead 10-7. Despite having 14 men we finished the half on top and missed a couple of opportunities before the half time whistle went.

No changes at half time - a rare occurrence for us, but we wanted to see out the last couple of minutes of the yellow card with the same blokes. It worked as Michael Searle kicked into Stockton's 22. Their 15 missed touch as Cam Wallace threw a long ball out to Max Cook 50m out - Cook saw space in behind and got the green light from the sideline via a chip, chip, chip call. The ball went over the top and Cook won the race to score in the corner. Amazing side line conversion from Michael Searle as we went into the lead for the first time 14-10.

We were starting to look like our old selves - tempo and energy up and Stockton under the cosh after another Louis Matthews steal. Josh Farley put us into enemy territory and George Bambrick had a couple of good carries. Quick tap taken and after several carries, Cam Wallace rewound the ball for Andrew Kirton to step his man and crash over. 19-10 up and we were dominating the scrum, lineout, gain line and whistle. In addition, their 9 was carded for not being back 10 at the quick tap - bonus.

Set piece dominance was vital during this period as we got a huge scrum penalty in our own half. Owen Hayton on and took over where Jonny Cotterill had left off, winning good lineout ball. The boys hammered away at the Stockton line and Michael Searle picked the ball up at the back of a ruck and went in untouched. Conversion missed but 24-10 up with 20 mins to play.

However, it all started to go wrong as it did in the first 20 mins. Stockton completed dominated possession and the whistle for the next 15 mins setting up a grandstand finish. They made it 24-17 when their big 12 nearly made it to the try line but was awarded a try. The boys were on the back foot but Harry Tankard was not having it with two huge hits and a counter ruck winning us a penalty. Missed opportunity though as the lineout throw was deemed not straight despite Stockton not contesting in the correct space.

We couldnt stop their momentum as we lost our discipline, the penalty count rose and we invited Stockton into our 22m. From a driven lineout Andrew Kirton was yellow carded for collapsing a maul. Down to 14 and Stockton converted straight away, crashing over to make it 24-24.

Our only hope was to try and hang on for the last 8 mins a man down and camped in our 22m again. However, from a lineout we got an easy read of an out the back play by Stockton. Sam Cleife forced a fumble and Harry Tankard scooped it up and taking off. He threw the ball out to club record try scorer Sam Busby, bang off the right to beat the last defender and run in 50m for what he though was a winning try on the last play. He took off to the corner flag, grounding the ball out wide in his best Carlos Spencer impression. Only difference being the ref deemed their to be sufficient time for a restart and now leaving Josh Farley with an impossible task ! Farley missed the first attempt but was given a second go due to noise from the kick chase. He then did his best impression of Aaron Cruden (apologies for all the NZ references) and hit the side line conversion.

We shuffled the deck trying to put our best catchers under the ball at the kick off. As such, Dylan Gittins almost collided with the catcher, Louis Matthews. He bounced out and was tackled high and Josh Farley tapped the penalty to kick it into touch. Crazy last minute win for the boys, down to 14 men and perhaps getting a bit of luck with the whistle that they had deserved.

First ever league double over Stockton since league fixtures began in 1996. History makers !

Thought the Stockton lads were class - very depleted side but showed what it means to put the clubs shirt on. Several 2's stepping up in the pack and making the breakdown a war zone at times. Their backs were relatively unchanged with the 10 and 11 causing us problems all day. Losing by a few points to Ryton last week, and a narrow loss here shows that they should be in the promotion battle next season.

Thanks to the ref for managing the game - didnt think either side adjusted well enough to your decisions, especially at the breakdown. A penalty count of 18-21 probably warranted more cards than the three you gave out.

Novos boys - thought Stockton's breakdown work and defensive efforts made us play poorly at times. However, we found a way to win and got some luck on a couple of decisions that led to tries. However, seven league games to go and we will need some luck to go our way if we are to try and finish on top.

Up the Vos !