This was a tough game for a much changed Centurions side against well-drilled opposition with the benefit a large bench of replacements.

The home side had an early score when their forwards stole the ball and plunged over. The Centurions settled down and the game swung end to end as both sides tried to run the ball at every opportunity.

Allan Hyslop ran well from his own half, placed an astute kick downfield that Josh Schollick chased and caught the fullback in possession. Athletic flankers Jeff Wheallans and Cameron Crawford, prominent all over the field, arrived to secure the ball, release Alex Anson, who was held short. This attack led to a scrum where the Centurions had a huge advantage through the experienced front row of Paul Winter, Oliver Shrimpton, Dan Tate and later Michael Ramsay. This platform allowed lively scrum half Sam Richardson to dummy and dart over, Hyslop adding the conversion.

Novos were next to score with a nice flowing move down the right wing despite some excellent tackles from Ryan Laverty, Martyn Hutton and Charlie Dodd on the way to the line. Just before half-time they managed a decisive try when their powerful centre arrived in support to crash over to make the score 17 - 7.

A determined display after the break saw Tynedale begin to gain the upper hand despite conceding an unusual try after ten minutes. A huge 15 metre scrummage drive from their own 20 metre line looked almost certain to lead to a penalty. Suddenly the ball popped out the side to a stunned home scrum half who almost apologetically sprinted away for a try.

Tynedale were rewarded when Ian Charlton drove forward from a tapped penalty and Jonny Pape was unstoppable from 20 metres, Hutton adding the extra points. Joe Mills almost repeated that score but he was just held up over the line. Good defensive play from Shaun Taylor eventually saw the ball released to Anson who showed electric pace as he scorched home from halfway to bring the visitors right back into the game at 22 - 19.

The huge amount of energy expended in this fightback saw more than a few tired legs in the visitors ranks. Fresh players from the bench saw Novos stem the tide and, near the end, they scored a fine try down the left wing to clinch victory in a well contested game between two evenly matched teams.