A SLOW start gave Corbridge Centurions too much work to do as they lost 29-10 to Novocastrians III.

The much-changed Centurions found themselves 19-0 down after just 25 minutes, and a marked improvement was unable to see them claw back the points difference.

Novos, including many students, were ahead early in when they profited from missed tackles and, although full back Callum Young nailed a hard-running centre, there was plenty of support on hand to score easily under the posts.

A quickly taken tap penalty then resulted in a second try as there appeared to be very little reaction to the apparent danger from Corbridge.

The worst was still to come when a secondary shove from a Corbridge scrum saw Novos reverse possession, and they worked the ball quickly wide to breeze in for a third try.

An impromptu team meeting was held under the posts to spur Corbridge into action, and it worked as the remainder of the game was evenly contested.

Strong running by centres Luke Murtough and Steven Raine took the home side deep in to the opposition 22, and, when a penalty was awarded for a ruck offence, this was quickly tapped.

Although the initial thrust was held, Benn Horncastle darted in from close range.

In the second half, Corbridge had several scoring attempts but the visitors were as doughty in defence as they were forceful in attack.

Half backs Andy Harvey and Graham Crosby prodded and prompted in attack, while winger Ryan Laverty, prop Owen Shield and number eight Ollie Hillary ran strongly to go close without going over.

When they did cross the line following good pressure from Harvey, they appeared to ground the ball but a 22 metre drop out was mysteriously awarded.

This was lashed down field and the speedy Novos winger touched down at the other end.

The Centurions did score a second try their efforts deserved when the forwards drove close after another tapped penalty, and the ball was moved right to Chis Nicholls who touched down in the right hand corner.

They continued to attack and the driving work of replacement forwards Jason Armstrong, brothers Kieran and Andy Adams again took them close to the line without being able to cross.

Novos broke away to complete the scoring despite a magnificent covering tackle by Shield.