PERCY PARK 45 – 18 OLD CROSSLEYANS
For the second week in a row, Percy Park took on opposition from Halifax, this time at home to Old Crossleyans who won their first game of the season last week against Gateshead. Park were more than a little disappointed at their second half performance away to Old Brodleians last week and had a chance to make amends. The weather, perfect for June or July, was a bit hot for the participants on the field, but fantastic for the supporters who watched in shirt sleeve order.
Park made a couple of changes to last week with Andy Dunn returning to start at hooker, and Olly Gilmore playing at scrum half allowed Ash Smith to move back to full back and David Griffiths to the centre. Old Crossleyans had a couple of enforced late changes with player coach Chris Jones not travelling with the team for family reasons and influential number eight Mansoor Riaz also out.
Old Crossleyans kicked off with the sun at their backs and for the first ten or so minutes saw Park with almost all the possession. Simon Greatham who kicked well last week, retained the kicking duties although he was off target with a penalty chance on 3 minutes.
The home side took play deep into the visitors half and a series of rucks was finished off with a charge to the try line by Michael Langlands who scored the touchdown, and Simon Greatham kicked the conversion after 10 minutes had elapsed in the game. Old Crocs came back with a penalty by full back Thomas Leigh.
Park had stepped up a gear and maintained constant pressure on the Yorkshiremen, before back rower Gerard Rollins was sent to the sin bin for slowing down the Park ball. Greatham kicked the penalty to take the score to 10 -3. With superior numbers Park looked certain to score as their forwards battered away as the Crocs defence creaked. Andy Dunn went close to scoring before fellow front row colleague Joe Wafer barged over for a try wide on the left wing. Greatham slotted the difficult conversion attempt to take the lead to 17 – 6 with 25 minutes gone. Leigh hit back with another penalty before Craig Fidler used his strength and physique to cross the whitewash to score on 33 minutes and again Greatham was on the mark with his conversion.
With half time approaching, Park conceded a penalty inside the visitors half and with quick thinking Northumbria University student Ed Cockcroft took a quick tap and set of up field releasing James Wainwright who sped towards the Park line. A try saving tackle by Ali Blair was needed to keep Crossleyans out and the half ended 24 – 6.
Although the Park forwards were in command, the back division were not firing on all cylinders, but a fine individual break by Ali Blair on 44 minutes saw the Park left wing score under the posts with Simon Greatham kicking the easy conversion.
From the restart Michael Langlands commanded the ball and set off up field breaking several tackles before passing to Howard Stock on Park’s right wing to set off towards the try line. James Ponton was in support and received a pass then drew the final defender to offload to prop Joe Wafer who scampered over the line for his second try of the game. With the conversion, once again by Greatham, Park led 38 – 6. James Ponton then left the field for a well earned breather to be replaced by New Zealander Hamish Lockwood.
Old Crossleyans never say die attitude was commendably and they fought back and applied a good deal of pressure to the Park line. When Zak Appleby- Rutter didn’t retreat to the try line after a penalty was awarded, and stopped an Old Crocs quick tap penalty, he was yellow carded by referee Craig Wrightson. Ever alert, scrum half Cockroft saw Chris Seymour unmarked on the right wing and hoisted a well placed kick to the centre who had the simplest of tasks to catch the ball and dab it down for the try. The conversion attempt was missed.
Park struck back with another score after a good break by fly half Phil Morse. With Ali Blair in support, he received the pass and scored his second try which was again converted by Greatham.
With the game in over time, Crocs struck again and this time Joe Baker scored a try on the left wing after several passages of play. This time Leigh kicked the conversion and the game ended 45 -1 8
DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK II 24 – 35 PERCY PARK LIONS
This was another outstanding performance by Percy Park’s 2nd XV which will surely give the selectors some problems this week. Losing at half time Park came back to win 35 – 24 with tries from Tony Dunn, Austin Philips, Jack Davidson and Matthew Ovington. Marcus Rutter kicked a penalty and 2 conversions and Paul Spowart kicked 2 penalties and 1 conversion.
PERCY PARK MARAUDERS 49 – 3 WALLSEND WARRIORS
Another good win by Park’s 4th XV sees them undefeated so far this season.
Next week Park 1st XV are at home to Gateshead, with the Lions on their travels again to Westoe. The Pumas take on Northern III and the Marauders are away to Blaydon Bricks