Our first win over City for 66 years – secured with a last play rolling maul try by David Medjigbodo-Lawson. However, it was an error ridden performance with a touch of delight robbery about it.

We altered the line up twenty mins before kick off. giving Tom Young his league debut for Vos. The 18 year old from Yarm had played in two pre season games but was unavailable for the league opener.

With the Sutherland Park breeze at our backs, we produced probably our worst attacking half of rugby since Ryton away last season. Every attack we made was thwarted by a mix of unforced holding errors and some good defence by City.

Our set piece was doing well in the early exchanges with the scrum dominant at times. However, it was City that scored first, kicking a penalty to go ahead 0-3.

We missed opportunities in the opening quarter – after a Rhys Merlane ball strip the last pass went astray with Sam Busby about to run it in. Durham City were a well drilled outfit with their 9/10 kicking well and their 13 a handful ball in hand. They went further ahead after we were adjudged to have walked round at a scrum where he pushed City back at a rate of knots. City went to the corner and from the lineout they scored of a well executed peel to make it 0-10.

The rest of the half was a see-saw affair as both teams defended well, cancelling each others attacking play. Half time whistle sounded and time to reflect.

On came David Medjigbodo-Lawson, as discussions were held about 18 months of unbeaten rugby at Sutherland Park being on the line. We must fire some shots – look for rewinds, maintain dominate at set piece and just keep the ball for longer to get their defence unstructured.

The boys responded as expected – Sion Gittins nearly scoring from a lineout peel, Max Cook nearly went in after a kick behind, Sam Busby almost scored down the near touchline. We were on top despite being into the wind.

City were under pressure and leaking penalties. We turned down points and went to the corner for a lineout. Ball secured by Ryan Gibson and the forwards drove in the maul with Fin Ruddock scoring. Great conversion from out wide by Sam Evans. 7-10 and we were back in the game.

More line breaks as Rhys Merlane picked and went from the base of the ruck and Dylan Gittins also broke out four 22m. However, we didnt capitalise on our improved attack.

Will Alexander on to make his league debut for the club. Next it was Ben Jubb who broke through but the ball was stripped whilst he was on the ground. No whistle though and City scored a great counter attack try with some very good offloads. 7-17 with 25 mins to go.

Ryan Gibson got us back into the game with a big hit and a lineout steal on halfway. Novos moved the turnover ball wide without pressure as the City backs had been set to attack. Sam Busby raced around the winger and off loaded inside to Sam Cleife. Some footwork saw Cleife get into space and he hit the gas to race in the last 30m untouched. Conversion added from under the posts to make it 14-17 with 13 mins to go.

From the kick off Ben Jubb made a line break and we got back into City’s half. We won a scrum penalty, Tom Young back on as we went with three props in the front row with Sion Gittins sliding out to play 7.

We looked to be in for the winner but twice City got in passing lanes preventing the go ahead try. However, they were still leaking penalties and rather than take the draw we went for lineout in the corner. With seconds to go we looked in for all money. Ryan Gibson dominating lineout wins and our forwards edging the maul towards the line. A cynical in the side was penalised and we went again to the corner. Ref now advising it was last play.

Maul engaged after another Ryan Gibson lineout win – Will Alexander controlling the ball at the back of the maul. In came the backs to help out as Tom Taylor and David Medjigbodo-Lawson wheeling the maul to the left. Over we went as the ref ran around the side and saw the ball placed on the ground by Medjigbodo-Lawson for the win. 19-17 Novos win , a historic win for the boys.

It felt like a robbery had occurred after what was an error ridden first half performance in attack. However, our defence kept us in the game as City didn’t finish several entries into our 22. So much spirit shown from the group who didn’t want the unbeaten run at home to end.

Thank you to our Scottish exchange ref – destined for great things, showing calmness and good decision making at a young age.

Gutted for the City lads who at times showed us how to play level 6 rugby properly – controlling territory through their kicking game and making a lot less unforced errors than us.

So we have what we wanted – two wins from two games allowing us to go into Percy Park next week with confidence, having banked 9 points already. Park, a top four side from last season will start as strong favourites but we know that we are capable of causing an upset if we play our best rugby.

Up the Vos !