Game 4, another dry but breezy day and away to Novo’s we go. 21 squad players, armed to the teeth with plenty belief due to the past few weeks exploits.

Blyth received from the kick off, caught by Tom Wood, who returned the ball with a driving run into the on coming backs of Novo’s. Blyth’s forward line arrived for the ruck and retained the ball for Blyth to launch an attack up the left hand side of the pitch. The ball was passed to Matt (Lungs) who tried to beat the winger but was pushed out of bounds. Novo’s took the lineout and kicked back into the Blyth 22. Once again Tom caught the ball but fast hands through Lungs and out to Tange gave Novo’s little chance to catch our very own ‘Ginger Bolt’, who went over the line and under the posts for a try. Cam added the extra 2 points, 7-0 up.

Once again, the restart was returned with interest but this time by the forwards. There was a succession of powerful drives, through strong mauling and rucks. Due to this, Novo’s conceded a couple of penalties which took us up the field beside the oppositions 22. Blyth drove for the line but it was held up, giving Novo’s a chance to clear their lines. Blyth again had a scrum which we won. Cam passed to the blind side which let Liam side-step the winger and break along the line. Novo’s Fullback cam across to clear up but smart play by Liam and excellent backing up by Cam, enabled Liam to pop the ball inside to young Mr Walker who went over for a try, 12-0.

The game was being played at a blistering pace, with any Novo’s attack being snubbed out by tremendous, hard tackling by our middle 3, Jonny, Shaun and Tom. This was backed up by good breaks from the pack, when any ruck had been formed. On one of these occasions, the ball was again passed out to Tang, who handed off 2 Novo’s players. This opened the way for him to run up the line for another try, 17-0.

With minutes to go in the first half, Novo’s kicked to deep inside the Blyth 22. This caused confusion in the back line, who tried to run the ball out of the danger area. The ball was passed back again but bounced around on the floor. Luckily the forwards were there to form the ruck and seemingly secure the ball, awaiting the backs to clean up. From nowhere, an opposition player took the ball and dived over for the try. This was given, even though the Blyth players (and supporters) were shouting for off side but to no avail. Lesson learned gents…get rid as soon as possible. Score 17-5 at half time.

After the half time chat, Blyth took the field, somewhat be grieved and with a point to prove, more so to put the game out of reach to the opposition. Blyth kicked to Novo’s who were met by a torrent of Blyth forwards wanting the ball. The tackles went in and the player was turned. The ball was ripped by Connor who ran forward. He was tackled but presented the ball well for the pack to ruck over him. The ball was picked up by Cori, who passed the ball inside to the scrum half. He came to the outside and passed out to Liam who evaded 3 players from Novo’s and broke through for the try in the corner, 22-5.

Novo’s kicked to Blyth, who again went up the pitch. The ball was stripped by a Novo’s back who then sprinted up the touchline for what seemed like a definite score but again, never say die play by the Blyth players, resulted in Liam catching up with the player and tackling him on the Blyth 5m line. This was supported by the fullback who then tackled the next Novo’s player out for a lineout. Blyth won the lineout and cleared through the boot of Cam. The kick was angled and went to deep inside the Novo’s half, ready for the backs to chase. They were up to the task and caught the lad while inside his own half. The pack got the ball and again, Connor ran forward covering a fair few yards. He then presented the ball during a maul and fast hands, through the back line, enabled Liam to go over for another try, 27-5.

The Novo’s team were now becoming deflated, with the constant attacks by the whole Blyth team, forwards and backs working very hard for each other. No quarter was given to Novo’s and any relief on their defensive line was minimal. If they kicked, it was returned with force. If they tried to run the ball out of defence, then the tackles came in from all sides. One of these hard hits resulted in Tange breaking through the line for his third of the game…..much to the annoyance of his family, who better bring the customary pop to the next game, 32-5.

Time was now running out, with Novo’s being pinned inside their half. With the last play of the game, Blyth won the scrum against the head. Again, Blyth showed good running and fast hands for Tange to score his last try of the day, 37-5.

Thank you to Novo’s for hosting us on the day. Once again, the support gave the lads an extra boost and always silences any home crowd advantage with shear volume. more so from my mrs and daughter. Man of the Match went to Cam ‘drink like a fish..not’ Walker and Tom ‘hoofing hands’ Wood.

Next week we have our strongest test so far with Ponteland visiting Blyth in the County Cup. This is a team that, up through the years, we have never won, with the group of players that we have, but there is always a first time. See you all next week.