A blustery day where Novos played the conditions better and beat a strong Consett side who were set on running it from everywhere.

We kicked off with a strong cross wind present heading towards the clubhouse. Sam Bird recalled to the side set the tone with some hustle and bustle defence.

Novos controlled territory through the boot of Rhys Merlane. From a high box kick their winger called mark whilst the ball was still 20m in the air. As he stood still expecting the whistle Rob Baldwin stripped him of the ball, carried passed two defenders and off loaded to Dylan Gittins for the try. Controversial score but the ref was adamant there was no call of “mark’ at the time of the catch. Beautiful conversion added by Freddie Abraham from out wide. 7-0 Novos lead.

We again went into Consett’s half with a Merlane box kick. Some great defence from Harry McBride, Rob Baldwin stopped a counter. Then Jonny Cotterill put in a huge hit before Consett made their first line break. At the breakdown Max Cook was tipped onto his head but the ref said he was at fault, yellow carding him rightly, for infringing after a line break.

The penalty allowed Consett to enter our 22 and after several carries they crashed over to make it 7-7.

We turned the ball over not long after the kick off and Sam Bird was hit with a high shot. Captain Ben Jubb opted for the kick at goal as Freddie Abraham stepped up to land the penalty. A good decision as we went back into the lead 10-7 whilst down to 14 men.

Consett had us under the cosh but some great defence from Jubb and Dylan Gittins kept them out. Max Cook back onto the pitch and it felt big that during that ten mins the score was 3-7. Huge change from a few weeks back when Park scored about 18 points when we were down a man.

All Consett before the close but McBride stopped a counter attack but our opponents were gifted some last minute pressure after kicking the ball dead. For the second week in a row we were put under pressure with a goal line drop out the call. However, a free kick at a scrum a moment later ended the half with Novos up 13-7.

Ben Rodgers on at half time and discussions held about attacking kick space and having more width in our defence.

We started the stronger of the two sides in the second half. Another high tackle allowed us to go to the corner. Near the try line Consett chose to compete but were punished with a clever try as Owen Hayton put in Sion Gittins. Big score to push us out to a 18-7 lead.

Consett responded and got round us a couple of times but handling errors and a struggling lineout kept them away from our line. Some great defence from the lads as well with some real dog shown at times – including a huge hit by Odi Okoli freeing the ball from an attackers grasp.

Another high tackle led to a yellow card meaning our pack earned some scrum pens against Consett’s 7 man scrum. This took time out of the game and gave us front foot ball enabling Ben Jubb to make a line break. We were unlucky not to score as Sam Busby out paced the defence but not the ball from Jubb’s kick through.

Again, a few mins later we were unlucky not to score as Rhys Merlane put in an attacking box kick. Rob Baldwin raced up to secure possession but the final pass was not taken and Consett escaped punishment. Big couple of mins from Baldwin after a big hit and then he got us a turnover despite his shoulder hanging down by his side.

Jez Hunt and Adam Lambert on as Dylan Gittins slid across to his usual spot of eight. He made a half line break out of our 22m before offloading to Jubb. Line break on the cards but an early tackle prevented us from advancing upfield.

In the closing exchanges Consett through everything at us, showing why they finished in second place last season. The boys showed some great maul defence and tenacious defence to hold the Consett pack up over the line.

The game finished with another high shot on Ben Jubb, yellow card and we then kicked the ball out for a tremendous 18-7 win.

Consett lads – enjoyed watching you play with width and on a less windy day I’m sure you would’ve turned it into points. Centre was a handful and as expected your back rowers got round the park and caused issues. We did get some calls but that’s grassroots rugby. Enjoyed the banter on the sideline, especially with one lad who annoyed me after a huge call went against us. Apologies, all in good spirits though. I was even worse when I played – sorry.

Adam, thanks for reffing – despite that call that annoyed me I thought you had a good game. Excellent on whistling the high shots by both sides which is exactly what is needed to educate the lads to drop their height. Gutted that you didn’t receive the respect that a grassroots ref should get. Was great to speak to you in the bar as I do feel that we have made the amateur game to hard to ref. Only going to be worse shortly when one ref gets one look at a hip drop tackle – setting our amateur refs up to be shot at.

Our lads – great win on a day we paid our respects to our clubman Alistair Blythman and Ray Bays from Westoe. Nine changes to the squad but like we said at training – absences = opportunities and boy did the lads step up. Debutant Freddie Abraham was instrumental with his kicking game in the second half and his three penalties. Likewise, Harry McBride defended well and showed his gas on one run. The American was deprived opportunities to attack but showed he can be relied upon. Great momentum to take in to Sunderland next week.

Up the Vos !