NB returned to winning ways in National League 4 with a high scoring and thrilling 11 try game at Recreation Park. The 39-36 score was well deserved and the bounce back the team were looking for, The strong and agile pack set the try scoring tone on 5 minutes when a solid line out take from Archie Anderson allowed the forwards to test Greenock with a series of close-range pick and go drives and tip ons . The captain , Nick Hart was on hand to finish off the series as he powered over. 7-0 NB. Following KO Greenock secured possession and after a number of phases got reward with a penalty as NB strayed offside. 7-3 NB. The away team then got a try themselves on 35 minutes from sustained possession, good ruck continuity and finally moving the ball wide 7-10 for the visitors. That spurred NB into action and on 39 minutes a good series of phased play saw the ball popped to Nick Hart who took a short line, spotted a gap between two defenders, freed his hands and got a pop pass to Angus Elder hitting a great support line. 14-10 at HT to NB for two fairly evenly matched sides.

The half time team talk For NB worked wonders as NB got into full stride with 4 really well worked tries. The forwards set the platform with excellent multi-phase ruck play and Kristian Thompson got the reward with the final short pass to power over and score on 45 minutes. The second try again came from the forward rucking platform, but it was Scrum Half Toby Arnold who found the gap and his half back team mate Alex Williams was on his shoulder to take the pass and side step the last 2 defenders. 26-10 to NB . Greenock showed NB weren’t going to have it all their own way with a well worked try in response although NB scored again on 60 minutes when a lose ball was picked up on the 10 meter line and a kick through allowed Jamie Keith to show his pace, get to the ball first and touch down for try number 5. 31-17. Greenock again stuck to the task and responded with another try 31-22 before NB scored the try of the match. Alex Williams recovered a Greenock kick in the NB half, beat the first defender , passed to Finlay Graham in support who glided past his markeron the outside , returned the ball to Williams who then found Craig Allan inside to run in from the 22, Great pace, hands and support. The try capped off a man of the match performance for the flanker. 36 -22 to NB and the game looked safe with 15 minutes remaining. Greenock had other ideas and responded with 2 converted tries in the final period that put the scores level at 36-36 in the final minute. The NB crowd couldn’t quite believe it but with the final play the forwards regained control and when Greenock killed the ball the referee signalled for a penalty on the 10-meter line. With the last kick of the game Macca Notley stepped up and put the kick over to the relief of the NB crowd.

A well deserved win in the end but a little too close for comfort for this NB side that are holding their own in national league. They travel to Garnock next week who are topping the table and will be the next test for this young side...