PERCY PARK 20 – 8 BILLINGHAM

Man of Match Adam MortonPrior to the game, there were lots of predictions that Park would win and this would be a high scoring game with both sides probably getting try scoring bonus points, but on the day, the sides tackled themselves to a standstill, with Park winning and denying their opponents a losing bonus point.

 Games between these two sides are generally a close scoring affair, and since 2002 in the last 15 encounters, this win gives Percy Park the bragging rights 8 to 7. So in week 9 of the league campaign, Park were glad of a home fixture with two losses on the road in consecutive weeks. The conditions were soft under foot but on the day it was dry, but bitterly cold with a chill wind seeing the first woolly hats gloves and scarves of the season amongst the supporters.

 In the first half Percy Park kicked off with the wind sun and advantage of the slight slope, although the ball was kicked straight to touch. The scrum on half way was an early test of the forward battle to come in which Park had the upper hand. Both sides had made changes to recent weeks with player coaches Chris Hyndman and Michael Stephenson both unavailable, worryingly for Billingham, Chris’s injury may prove lengthy as he is to undergo an MRI scan to see if he has a damaged cruciate ligament.

WATERLOO 25 – 24 PERCY PARK

So the unbeaten run comes to an end- just, by a single point. Park had more of the play than their Merseyside hosts, but couldn’t turn the possession into points. Trailing 17 – 3 at half time, Percy Park came back into the game with substitutes Ali Blair and debutant Stu Wilson scoring second half tries. Ash Smith continued his rich vein of form with a try, penalty and 3 conversions.

PERCY PARK LION 26 – 56 TYNEDALE RAIDERS

The score-line suggests a bad day at the office for the Lions, but the truth is, for the most part, the Lions were in the game until the last 15 minutes. Tynedale got off to a quick start and through some sloppy tackling and suspicions of obstruction led 14 – 0 in fewer minutes. 

Park hit back rumbling over with tries by Mal Donald and “mighty Joe Wilkinson” to come back to 14 – 12. The Raiders are a well drilled unit, and exploited the slightest weakness or error in officiating. Park never got the rub of the green with the 50/50 decisions, but there were some good performances particularly from Hamish Lockwood, George Lewis and James Bird, who will all be staking their claim for 1^st XV shirts in the weeks to come. 

Second half tries by George Lewis, and a belter from Liam Blackburn gave the Lions a losing bonus point, although on this form it looks as though the Raiders will be claiming another Candy Division 1 title come the season’s end.

PERCY PARK PUMAS 88 – 10 WALLSEND WARRIORS

The Pumas were far too strong for the Wallsend’s second team, and opened the scoring with only a minute on the clock. At half time the Pumas led 57 – 0. There were good performances from several of the young guns including George Carr Junior and not so young gun Craig Bartle who scored a spectacular try for Wallsend when he offered his services to the visitors in the second half when they had lost a couple of players to injury.

Pick of the forwards was the slimed down Chris Dunn who if he trained and got himself match fit would without doubt be pushing younger brother Andy for his 1^st XV spot.