PERCY PARK 73 – 3 WHITLEY BAY ROCKCLIFF

Greg Dixon - 3 TriesThe annual Boxing Day encounter between Percy Park and Rockcliff is the oldest remaining fixture in both club’s itinerary, and this year the game was held at Preston Avenue in near perfect conditions for September let alone December 26^th. The previous two games in 2010 and 2009 had been thwarted by frost and snow. Park made a few last minute changes with the unavailability of Marcus Rutter and Simon Greatham, but otherwise were able to field a full strength 1^st XV.

Rockcliff kicked off with the wind behind them and were awarded a penalty within the first minute, but Josh Donnelly’s kick at goal was off target. The visitors had some decent early possession, but as the game wore on, Park’s dominance at the set piece starved them of any meaningful ball and the points began to rack up for the home side.

Park’s first score came on the seven minute mark from lively 19 year old open side Jack Davidson and the conversion by Ash Smith opened a 7 – 0 lead. Rockcliff came back five minutes later with a Donnelly penalty, and although the home side had more of the possession the Rockcliff defence held firm until on 27 minutes Andy Dunn crossed the whitewash finishing off a well executed catch and drive from a line out.

When the visitors were penalised for pulling down a maul, the ball was kicked to the corner and another catch and drive resulted in Park’s third try of the game this time from Greg Dixon. The conversion was off target but Park now led 17 -3. Even at this early stage Park’s superior organisation and fitness was beginning to show as Greg Dixon popped up on the left wing to finish off a good move started by an Ali Blair break in midfield. Sadly Ash Smith had left his kicking boots at home.

PERCY PARK LIONS 47 – 7 MORPETH REIVERS

Jonny Ward Breaks for Parks First TryPark Lions finished off 2011 with an emphatic win over the Reivers in a great second half display which included 5 tries. The conditions were cold and bracing although many supporters braved the elements to watch a thoroughly entertaining game which keeps the Lions in second spot in Candy Division 1.

It was Morpeth who had the better of the early exchanges with Andy Whitfield failing to convert a penalty, and then after some sloppy tackling full back Carl Parkinson broke through the Park back line to score after 4 minutes with Whitfield converting for the 7 – 0 lead. Despite Morpeth having a good deal of the possession throughout the game this was to be their last score of the match.

Park thought they had scored when Simon Greatham drove over the line but referee Mick Donkin judged there to be a double movement, and then some back chat cost Park a further 10 metres as the visitors cleared their lines.

It took the Lions some time to hit back but after 20 minutes Paul Spowart playing fly half saw the Morpeth defence was up flat and chipped through for ex Novos wing Jonny Ward to collect the ball and surge past two Morpeth defenders to score. Spowart then levelled the scores with the conversion.