Whitley Bay Rockcliff 2nd XV 26 Novocstrians 3rd XV 25
The Vikings just edged out Novos in an absorbing Northumberland RU Number 3 Cup semi final at Hillheads.
Novos got off to a great start when Evan Dare scored an unconverted try after only three minutes.
The Vikings responded seven minutes later when scrum half David Neasham took a quick tap from a penalty and, from the resultant forward drive, flanker Adam Robinson crossed, converted by standard off Evan Bradford, to edge the home side two points clear.
The game was fiercely contested as both sides battled for the upper hand but ten minutes later the lead was increased when Craig Hamilton intercepted a wayward pass and touched down under the posts, again converted by Bradford, and the Vikings were 14 5 up.
A third try for Rockcliff followed five minutes later, when Bradford finished off an attack, unconverted, for 19 5.
Novos kept plugging away, and a promising attack created space for stand off Christian Selkirk to score a drop goal.
The next ten minutes saw no further score, and the sides changed ends with the score 19 8 to the Vikings.
Novos Centre Lex Leonard opened the scoring early in the second half, powering through from his own half to score an unconverted try, and 19 13.
Novos opted to use this direct option again and again, and the Vikings had their work cut out to contain the threat, but good defence from backs and forwards held the visitors at bay.
Rockcliff needed another score to settle the nerves, but it wasn't until the sixty fifth minute that it came when flanker Idris Pritchard supported the backs to finish a great move down the left wing. Morgan Thomas added the extras to open up a thirteen point lead.
Novos up the pressure, and the Vikings conceded a string of penalties. With five minutes left, the Vikings had a player yellow carded, and taking full advantage, Novos closed the gap with two tries, setting up a nail biting finish to the match.
Tom Westgarth scored the first, under the posts, converted by Shaun Stewart for 26 20. Then, almost on the stroke of full time, Oliver Harris scored in the left corner, bringing Novos to within a point of the Vikings. The conversion was missed, and the Vikings made it through to the final, where they will face either Ponteland or Blyth.
Man of the match for Rockcliff was number eight Michael Cooper, and Lex Leonard took the honours for Novos.
The Vikings just edged out Novos in an absorbing Northumberland RU Number 3 Cup semi final at Hillheads.
Novos got off to a great start when Evan Dare scored an unconverted try after only three minutes.
The Vikings responded seven minutes later when scrum half David Neasham took a quick tap from a penalty and, from the resultant forward drive, flanker Adam Robinson crossed, converted by standard off Evan Bradford, to edge the home side two points clear.
The game was fiercely contested as both sides battled for the upper hand but ten minutes later the lead was increased when Craig Hamilton intercepted a wayward pass and touched down under the posts, again converted by Bradford, and the Vikings were 14 5 up.
A third try for Rockcliff followed five minutes later, when Bradford finished off an attack, unconverted, for 19 5.
Novos kept plugging away, and a promising attack created space for stand off Christian Selkirk to score a drop goal.
The next ten minutes saw no further score, and the sides changed ends with the score 19 8 to the Vikings.
Novos Centre Lex Leonard opened the scoring early in the second half, powering through from his own half to score an unconverted try, and 19 13.
Novos opted to use this direct option again and again, and the Vikings had their work cut out to contain the threat, but good defence from backs and forwards held the visitors at bay.
Rockcliff needed another score to settle the nerves, but it wasn't until the sixty fifth minute that it came when flanker Idris Pritchard supported the backs to finish a great move down the left wing. Morgan Thomas added the extras to open up a thirteen point lead.
Novos up the pressure, and the Vikings conceded a string of penalties. With five minutes left, the Vikings had a player yellow carded, and taking full advantage, Novos closed the gap with two tries, setting up a nail biting finish to the match.
Tom Westgarth scored the first, under the posts, converted by Shaun Stewart for 26 20. Then, almost on the stroke of full time, Oliver Harris scored in the left corner, bringing Novos to within a point of the Vikings. The conversion was missed, and the Vikings made it through to the final, where they will face either Ponteland or Blyth.
Man of the match for Rockcliff was number eight Michael Cooper, and Lex Leonard took the honours for Novos.
