A clinical attacking performance enabled a five league points win at home to Guisborough. On a day where our leaders again shone the brightest on a cloudy day at Sutherland Park.

We received the kick off on a rare mild day, with very little breeze. Couple of carries then a great box kick from Cam Wallace was regathered by Dylan Gittins. We then went edge to edge before the two players were involved again with a switch pass. Gittins then offloaded back inside as Ben Jubb rounded the last defender with a great step. Possibly try of the season so far as we took an early 5-0 lead.

At the kick off Rob Baldwin sat one of their lads down and Wallace and Josh Farley controlled territory with some great kicks into space. When Guisborough counter attacked, as expected we found them much stronger than their league position suggests. They were able to keep the ball for long periods. Eventually, we suffered a poor read and they made a line break down the middle. We made a cover tackle but from the resulting ruck they went over for a converted try. Guisborough into the lead 7-5.

Our opponents again went on the attack and we saw a defensive stint from Ben Jubb that really set the tone. Like a man possessed he smashed into several opponents with great reads, timing a hard shoulders. Inspiring from the club captain.

Not satisfied with whacking lads, Jubb then set up our next try. From a scrum he used his feet to keep the defender upright, big fend into the chest and then an off load to Dylan Gittins. The vice captain, playing in the centres instead of his usual role a number eight. Gittins then carried up to the last man before lifting a well timed pass for club record try scorer, Sam Busby to race in the 40m. Novos back into the lead 10-7.

We were completely controlling territory, something we did all day against a Guisborough side reluctant to kick the ball. By the end of the game kicks in general play would be 18 to 7 in our favour. With 8 of our kicks being attacking ones. These kicks were vital in giving us transitional attacks on occasions that Guisborough kicked the ball back. On 20 mins Josh Farley counter attacked with some tricky feet, we moved the ball wide for winger Max Cook to chip his opposite number and regather. We recycled possession before Cam Wallace rewound play back the short side. He fed Cook who then went back inside for Louis Matthews to dot down. 15-7 up, Josh Farley off, Rhys Merlane on due to Farley’s minutes being dictated by Newcastle Uni.

Novos were able to score one more try, a carbon copy of an earlier score. This time it wasn’t from our scrum as the pack won the ball off a Guisborough feed. Rhys Merlane threw a wide pass to Ben Jubb – trademark fend into the chest and he was away. Great pass out wide for speedster Sam Cleife to finish it off. Half time score 20-7.

Tom Young on at half time as the young prop continues to get minutes in his first season with Novos. The Northumbria Uni front rower has been vital in our early fixtures with his ability to play all three positions, and throw when called upon. Especially, given the retirement of Johnny McSorley and Morgan Scrace returning to Cardiff.

The second half flowed our way as Cam Wallace dictated territory with his box kicking. Guisborough tried to run it out and Sion Gittins got the steal. Wallace rushing back to the ruck from his defensive spot. He then executed a beautiful attacking box kick over the ruck for Max Cook to out pace his opposite number for the try. Rhys Merlane with a nice conversion, our only one of the day ! Lead out to 27-7.

Zac Smith on for his first game in sometime for the first team – immediately announcing his presence with a big hit. Guisborough again kept the ball for a long period in our 22m and crashed over for a try to narrow the gap to 27-12.

Novos are a force at Fortress Vos and the pack looked to put the game to bed with a scrum penalty. From the next possession we hit the classic 8/9/15 as Sam Busby got a sniff on the outside. Busby rolled back the years and put his foot down, gassing his defender. He then rolled the ball inside to Rhys Merlane who had been tracking the play for another first phase try.

Out to 32-12 but we lost the kick off, inviting pressure. Guisborough turned that into penalties and more pressure. Max Cook was then yellow carded and we were under the cosh. Guisborough went to the corner and scored off a rolling maul. 32-19 now.

Josh Farley back on for the last 20 mins and immediately hit a 50/22. Missed opportunity as we lost the lineout although our opponents somehow were allowed 6 men in a 5 man lineout. We didnt let Guisborough out of their half as Farley pinned a kick into the corner. Zac Smith winning the turnover at the resulting ruck. He then threw an audacious over the head no look pass to Sam Cleife. He then lifted the ball for Sam Busby to get his second of the day. Novos stretch the lead out to 37-19

Guisborough finished on top as they earned a bonus point for four tries. En route to that score we saw our first hip drop penalty – great spot by the ref to apply a new law. Final score 37-24.

Thank you to Lee for reffing the game – best refs performance I have seen so far this season. Only 9 penalties in the game and some great decision making for and against us. We hope to see you back at Sutherland Park soon.

Guisborough boys – pleased we were able to mention the loss of Matthew Flint in speeches. A terrific player and a loss of an important club member far too early. Clearly you have been unlucky in earlier matches with several one score matches not going your way. I was really impressed with your ability to keep the ball for long periods. Can see you working your way up the table as the season goes on.

Novos lads – some of our best attacking rugby and great defence. Once again, our leaders really setting the tone in the form of Tom Taylor, Louis Matthews, Josh Farley, Ben Jubb, Sam Busby and Dylan Gittins. However, also great to see Jez Hunt and Jonny Allton getting big mins in and having great games. Great win to set us up nicely into a rest week. We have a week off before heading to Keswick on the 21st. Been a pretty attritional start to the season with injuries seeing us go deep into our playing pool. A fair few lads unavailable for Keswick so we will once again see opportunities for our wider squad players.

Reminder that training on Tuesday is at Dame Allan’s School at 1900-2000 in the sports hall.

Up the Vos !