Ryton kicked off and nearly regained the ball, but a knock-on was called and the large crowd got what they wanted - the first scrum. Ryton were missing their two starting props so the boys made a statement - huge scrum and a penalty to Novos. Big swing in favour of the lighter pack who got lower, worked harder with Johnny McSorley leading from loosehead. Josh Farley smashed the resulting penalty 22 to 22 and we were on the attack.

Our touch judge rightly copped a bit of abuse from the Ryton sidelines at this stage, clearly being too helpful at keeping them back ten at lineouts and back five at scrums. Perhaps they didnt want us to have so much space.

Some cynical play from Ryton was penalised as they pulled down a couple of mauls. We stayed on the attack but missed an opportunity to score when we didnt move the ball wide to Simeon Archibald. The back rower was on the wing from the start but wouldve finished this opportunity. At the next scrum we murdered their pack again but didnt get the whistle. Referee Dave Charlton then rightly penalised us for back chat as we grumbled about not getting the whistle.

Ryton tried to kick there way out but just couldnt get it done. We stayed on attack and looked likely to score as the back joined a rolling maul. Just short of the line a Ryton second rower collapsed it. We looked in for all money but only got the penalty, from which we chose to scrum. Dylan Gittins broke from the base and got into the 12. From there, Louis Matthews worked round the corner and bounced off a defender then crashed into a post protector before falling over the try line. Conversion added by Josh Farley 7-0 up.

From the kick off we again tried to show that we were up for the physical battle as Josh Farley gained some territory. Their 9 chose to counter and was hit with one of the biggest tackles of the season. Michael Searle in low and Johnny McSorley doing his best Randy Orton impression as he came out of nowhere to smash him.

With the win behind our back we had our tails up - Josh Farley kicking another 50/22, this one from his own 22. Grateful to the ref for correcting their touch judge who had tried to say it was their ball. We didnt turn that pressure into points however until we turned over a Ryton attack. A loose ball was pounced on by Michael Searle. Sam Busby realised there was no one in the back field and box kicked over the ruck. He then beat the cover to knock the ball back to Sion Gittins. Their 14 chased him all the way but Gittins has to be the most mobile hooker in the league and won the sprint to go in. Conversion added by Josh Farley for a 14-0 half time score.

A rare occurrence, as we chose not to make any subs - we felt we were a score light.

Ryton tried to bounce back and ended up in our 22m - again we smashed their scrum and Sam Busby made a pressure-relieving line break. Unlike Ryton we were able to find ways to kick into the wind as Cam Waalace, Josh Farley both found ways to move us up the field with kicks. However, it was a charge down that gave Ryton field position for their first try. Decent score from them and an even better conversion from wide out to make it 14-7.

The game was not a spectacle of running rugby but a pretty tense affair. Things got even worse after the try as Johnny McSorley was red carded for foul play. So 16 mins left, down to 14 - Fortress Vos unbeaten record on the line. Ryton captain gesturing to their crowd on the balcony to get behind the lads. However, we held up the rolling maul and turned over possession.

From the scrum, Josh Farley made a line break up the middle and we went up the other end of the pitch. From the lineout, Rob Baldwin rose high to claim the ball. We got over the gain line and went to the power game, taking Ryton on with their own brand of rugby. Under pressure, they conceded a penalty. With our 7 man scrum still dominant a load of the lads demanded to scrum. Captain, Dylan Gittins remained calm and chose to ask Josh Farley to step up. The kick sailed over and we were out to 17-7.

Again leading from the front, captain Dylan Gittins took the kick off and headed into the middle of the pitch. High shot and a soft penalty to concede for Ryton.

In the closing stages Ryton did try to push for a grandstand finish but some shots from Rob Baldwin, Jonny Cotterill and a Sion Gittins steal stopped any attacks. Some great character and game sense as we controlled their scrum with 7 men, and dominated on our ball when we chose to go with 8 in the pack and just 6 out in the backs.

It was left to Cam Wallace to get the pack to do a couple of carries and he then kicked the ball off the pitch for the win.

Thank you to Ryton for an intense physical game. I am adamant that if your two starting props had been available, the result would've swung your way. In the end some big scrum turnovers changed the outcome and denied you entries and/or periods of pressure. We wish you well for your last three games and we are sure the promotion race will go down to the last day.

Thanks Dave Charlton for taking charge of the game. Hopefully, both sides will have learned about what a ref from a higher level wants to see from the players. I dont think we got it right round the breakdown and copped a fair few penalties.

Novos lads - a great way to remember Jack Bolam on what would've been his 21st. An amazing defensive effort and an even better effort to support the Meningitis Fundraiser after the game organised by the Bolam family.

Three more to go including two home games as we push for our next goal - unbeaten at home all season at Fortress Vos. Up the Vos !