After Carlisle cancelled on us it was great to pick up Percy Park 2's in a friendly. We had a great side out, showing off our playing pool with 17 players rested for Stockton next week. However, about 5-6 lads playing Park who are also in contention for selection.

Park started with a strong wind behind them and immediately pinned us in our 22m. We took too long to exit and didn't manage to get out of the red zone before giving the ball away. Percy Park took a quick tap and scored in the corner for an early lead. We were still finding our feet in the game as Percy Park were in again from a rolling maul. Conversion added from wide out and we were down 0-12 inside ten mins.

Novos finally got into the game and on the front foot with several quick taps from Christian Selkirk. A good tactic against a Park side who were much heavier than our pack. Selkirk probing down the blindside but a grubber in and Harry Tankard won the race after a generous bounce of the ball. 5-12.

The rest of the half was a rollercoaster with Novos trying to battle out of their half and Percy Park missing some opportunities to score. There was one telling moment from us with Darren Kelly tipping on the ball to put Owen Hayton through a hole. Matthew Russell looped around and headed towards the line. The last cover defender stoped him with a high tackle but we were denied a penalty try. We had to settle for a yellow card but deserved the seven points from a good line break.

Half time ended as we lost the lineout from the penalty but 5-12 down and the wind behind us we backed ourselves to roll over them.

We started fast as Max Cook recovered a good kick off from Matthew Russell. He tore into the 22m and when recycled Russell put in a wonderful kick into the try area. Luke Masters went to ground the ball but it was adjudged he bounced it. He was not happy with the decision as was rightly yellow carded for dissent. Big swing in a close game as instead of getting a possible 7 points we went down to 14 men instead. Park did not take advantage as instead they lost the next lineout and Christian Selkirk scooped up the ball and offloaded out the back of the hand for Rhys Gibbons to crash over. This time a Park lad received a yellow for dissent - again rightly so. Matthew Russell added the conversion from wide out and it was 12-12 with 14 vs 14.

Another big swing in the game, again went against us as Park ran in a 70m try. Their hooker balked at the lineout, so badly that by the time he threw it he was 1.5m on the pitch. That being said Park moved the ball beautifully and executed a lovely chip and chase for the try. Kick in the bollocks for the lads as against the run of play Park went 12-19 ahead.

Things went from bad to worse as the lads still emotional from the previous call back chatted the next one. When will players learn ? Owen Hayton became the third player of the day to be carded for dissent.

Darren Kelly was very influential throughout the game and took control of the match in the last 30 mins. First he stole a lineout then after a Matthew Russell probe Kelly picked and went to score near the posts. Russell adding the easy conversion for 19-19.

After getting back into Park's red zone we scored off the back of the scrum. Luke Masters held width and when Darren Kelly and Christian Selkirk executed a simple 8/9 from the base Selkirk walked through a huge hole. Easy conversion for Russell again as we went ahead 26-19.

We finished on top as Owen Hayton secured a poor clearance kick and fed Darren Kelly. he in turn bounced out wide and hit Luke Masters who tore towards the corner. Again, felled in a high tackle - no penalty try again as the ref rightly saw another defender coming across who would've prevented a probable try. From the resulting ruck we managed to play to the whistle as Max Cook picked and went over for the try. At the stoppage the ref yellow carded the defender who has committed the high tackle - good use of advantage by the ref. 31-19 at the final whistle.

Thanks must go to the ref who shouldn't have to put up with so much dissent during the game. Players need to learn that whilst they may be annoyed at decisions there are better ways and times to speak to the ref about decisions. Was great to speak to him after the game and praise him for his good decisions and discuss ways to avoid some things he may have missed, via better positioning from set pieces.

Cheers to the Park lads - great to pick up a nearby neighbour rather than have our lads miss out on a Saturdays rugby after Carlisle cancelled on us. Some big boys in your squad upfront and a nice balance with the young nine who kept the pace high. Look forward to seeing you later in the season for the remaining league fixture.

The 2's are in the pool for a game next week as we try to maintain three sides every week. Please update Heja app as there are a lot of lads not around for the 3's next week. Need everyone to make the effort to ensure that everyone who wants rugby gets a game.

Up the Vos !

Novocastrians RFC

Percy Park RFC

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