Both teams were surprised, at short notice, that their efforts had mysteriously earned qualification for the County Plate final. The resulting performance of all players resulted in an exciting finale, full of running rugby, mistakes aplenty and a final whistle that blew too early for Novos as they piled on pressure in search of a draw.

The first half belonged to Tynedale as half-backs Andy Harvey and Ali Hopps tried to release their talented back division at every opportunity.

Martyn Hutton ran strongly towards the left touchline and, with the support of Will Jonas, Rory Craney and Callum Foxcroft to secure possession, Oliver Hillary was able to dive over in the corner. Novos replied with a try from their forwards after electing for a scrum from a penalty.

Harvey then took a tap penalty, dummied defenders and found the ever-present Hillary to score his second. He might have had a third when an unpromising kick from inspirational skipper Jake Sloan along the touchline was hacked on by several players including Jonas before being lashed infield. Hillary was just beaten to the loose ball as he tripped over a brave full back but Sloan had followed the play to pick up and dive over.

In between these two scores came an absolute beauty from classy full-back Donald Stembridge. Fielding a kick deep in his own half, his elegant run saw him side-step, swerve and break out of several tackles and he touched down under the posts leaving astonished defenders in his wake.

A speculative kick was allowed to bounce by defenders looking into the sun and Novos kept hopes alive with a close range try. They may have scored again but for try-saving tackles from Matt Lynch and Seb Jansen.

Michael Ramsey showed pace and power as he burst downfield. Fellow prop Ed Weir did well to support before the ball was released to Hopps whose soft hands created space for Sloan to dummy, make a half-break and release powerful centre Hutton who charged over.

Stembridge had added three conversions to leave the score at 31-12 and the Centurions seemingly well in control at half-time.

The game then changed as Novos redoubled their efforts and it required a hard shift from forwards Ian Charlton, Jason Armstrong, Alex Birkenshaw, Gus Whitelaw, and Jack Harvey to hang on to their rejuvenated powerful pack.

A reversed penalty decision saw them start their fightback as some ragged tackling saw Novos touch down.

Hutton replied as he outsmarted defenders with a tap penalty and crashed over before the tenacious Novos responded immediately with a well-worked try of their own.

A break from Ben Horncastle saw the ball reach Hutton who bounced would-be tacklers away as he landed his hat-trick in style. Ryan Laverty and Harvey had chances to finish off the game but they were held just short.

Then came a last 10 minutes when Novos ran everything and were rewarded with two fine tries that brought them back to within only a try and conversion of earning a draw. Fortunately for Tynedale the referee blew the final whistle to enable them to raise the Plate after a pulsating final with both sides showing that junior rugby can be skillful, fun and exciting.

Tynedale RFC

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