Rockcliff RFC: 10th September



Novocastrians RFC 15 - Whitley Bay Rockcliff 8 Rockcliff were just edged out by Novos in a competitive match their second league game of the season. The match started off quite evenly, with Rockcliff running into a slight wind. Th efirst score came after 10 minutes when Rockcliff gave away a penalty in front of their posts for handling in ruck, and this gave Novos a 3-0 lead. The match developed into quite a forwards game with a lots of mauling from Rockcliff, but Novos began to increase the pressure, and Rockcliff stand off Terry Macauley was forced to kick from inside his own 22 metre zone to clear the visitors lines. With the forwards dominating so much, and Novos slowing the game down, the resultant slow ball meant Rockcliff never had a chance to unleash their backs.
The game began to open up withthe action moving from end to end, and most of the game being in either Rockcliff or Novos 22 metre zone. Eventually Rockcliff captain Sam Stirling got the score Rockcliff needed, as he passed and looped round, received ball back from Ali Harper and scored in the corner by grounding ball behind his back. The try was awarded after the referee consulted with his touch judge. Unfortunately the conversion was missed and the score remained 5-3 to rockcliff at the end of the first half.	"A draw would have been the right result." Club President - Martin Page
In the second half the next try came from Novos number 7, but again the conversion was missed and the score remained at 5-8 to Novos until Terry Macauley kicked penalty to level the scores at 8-8. The game settled down into a stalemate after that with a draw looking the most likely outcome, although Novos almost broke the deadlock when they had a try disallowed, as it was held up by Liam Bowmans foot. Rockcliff defended in determined fashion, and Noel Mather put in a succession of big tackles on the opposition. Dave Swinburne came on for Liam Bowman at inside centre and also put in some great hits. Just as the game was drawing to a close, following a ruck in Rockcliffs 22 metre zone, a Novos centre broke down the blindside and with Rockcliffs defence obscured Novos went in to score a converted try that saw the game end 15-8 to Novos.
Whitley Bay Rockcliff 2nd XV 15 - Novocastrians 2nd XV 10. The Vikings nade it two wins out of two with a close fought result against Novos. The move of the game was when Rockcliff prop Michael Routledge caught the ball from the kick off and rampaged 60 metres up the pitch to score. Neil Mather saved the win for for th eVikings when he managed to get under the ball as Novos tried for the equalising score.

Novocastrians 3rd XV 24 - Whitley Bay Rockcliff 3rd XV 32
The Rangers turned out out unlikely winners after gifiting Novos a 21-0 lead, giving away three soft tries early in the game. But with the experienced Tony Hansen running things at scrum half, and the pace and power of Glenn McLeod Smith at centre, the Rangers gradually turned things round and scored the points to seal the win.

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