Regional 2 North
Percy Park RFC 59 v Stockton RFC 5
First half blitz seals the deal
A bonus point try in the 30th minute of this game had put Percy Park so far ahead of the visiting team there was little chance of any meaningful opposition recovery. Much in the same way as my pint of beer found itself, when pooled across the table, as the Stockton ‘pres’ joined our table for the pre match lunch. As the golden liquid found gaps in our wooden dance floor, so did Percy Park find gaps in Stockton’s defence. A further two tries gave further distance and an unassailable lead at half time. The home pack were so dominant that a wag in the crowd made comment that ‘Stockton are going back like an Italian tank with 5 reverse gears’. Park played this game with real pace. A velocity that had scrum half Charley Miller complaining that he couldn’t breathe. Stockton caught Percy Park on a good day and parity was only achieved when the game went to uncontested scrums.
Sam Digman scored Percy Park’s first try on 8 minutes. Stockton started well but were quickly ground down. In the opening salvos they kept the ball for what seemed like 20 phases. Park were patient and made their tackles driving Stockton back to the half way line where they knocked on. A scrum infringement saw Andrew Walker drill a fine kick to the corner. The line out move went blind before the ball was returned to the middle. Josh Hedley and Chris Reekie made ground before debutant Keith Laughlin took us behind the defensive line. Sam Digman was on hand to find the killer touch. Conversion points taken and Park were ahead by 7.
The second try came curtesy of Charlie Miller. With the try converted and an early 14-point lead taken. The score had the arriving Lindsey Langlands conversing with all around, in an attempt to gain a low down on the game, so she could glibly convince her husband Michael that she had been there from the beginning. She missed a superb try. Paul Spowart was over the ball to steal Stockton ball. The Park player demonstrating great technique. Keith Laughlin provided the muscle to keep Stockton at bay. After that it was all about pace, hands and support. Charley Miller was on the ball like a dart. Andrew Walker made good yards on the right drawing the defending player in before releasing the ball to the supporting Miller on his left shoulder. With an open field Miller could not be caught. Try converted 14 nil to the home side.
A dodgy conversion attempt from fly half Paul Spowart had him flat on his ‘jacksy’ as he tried to put the cream on the top of Dan Shuttleworth’s try. A try missed by Dan’s partner Emily who, like Lindsay Langlands, had arrived late to the game and was not only aghast that Dan had scored, but knew she had to convince him that she had seen his effort. It appears that our Percy Park women like to spin a yarn! Stockton infringed at the ruck. The resulting penalty drilled into the car-park corner. Dan Shuttleworth took the throw and collected the ball off the ‘catch and drive’. Stockton had no answer as Park trundled the length of the 22 to score. A great forwards effort. An unfortunate slip had ‘our’ Spow looking like a upside down tortoise. The ball being collected by an amused Stockton player as the conversion points went begging. 19 points to the good.
Percy Park missed several chances to extend their lead. A move involving wing Kiran Sutherland and Jamie Wrigley came close. On the half hour Michael Langlands crossed for our fourth and bonus point try. Park played out of the back with Jamie Wrigley eating the space, aided by a wicked side step that saw several Stockton players catching air. Andrew Walker picked the ball up from the breakdown and covered the green to the stand side. In the 22 Stockton went off their feet in an attempt to slow the ball down. The resulting scrum saw the visiting team marched backwards. Scrum half Charley Miller having a minor wrestle with his opposite number. Michael Langlands kept the ball at his feet before dropping on the same as he crossed the Stockton line.
The faithful were in a jovial and animated mood. For the home support it was magical stuff that had an excited junior Vice President admonishing the authors head gear. Words used surrounded the resemblance of the author to that of a ferret breeder.
The highlight of the day came from the hands and electric pace of Kieran Sutherland. Strong running had Park to the Stockton try line, where they were unable to control the ball at the back of the ruck. The clearance kick was collected by a backtracking Jamie Wrigley. The full back was enjoying his game and that showed as he confidently stepped outside and in-between two players. Passing the ball, one handed to the supporting Kieran Sutherland. Moving at pace the speedster crashed and brushed aside several attempted tackles and with a little show of his hands stepped the advancing full back on the outside, allowing a clear run to the posts. Easy conversion taken. A debate followed whether Jonny Dubois had a better sided step than Jamie Wrigley. Opinion remains divided! Worryingly Kieran admitted that he would have ‘got the slipper’ if he had failed to score the try. Off whom has not been disclosed. Notwithstanding our safeguarding officer has been informed.
The half was brought to the end by another Percy Park try. Josh Hedley was hiding behind the back line when a disguised pass had the second row galloping through. Stockton were ‘all at sea’. Although the run was stopped the ball was not. The play spread right until the referee interfered with the pass. With the game taken to the scrum, Michael Langlands picked up and placed scrum half Miller into space. A pass on the tackle was collected by the advancing Jamie Wrigley and an unopposed trot to the line. Another conversion. 38 points to nil at the turnaround.
The half time break did not break Percy Park’s rhythm. Stockton were pressed and they were fortunate to have a player in their number who could kick a ball. Some monstrous clearances kept Park at bay and gave his side an opportunity to attack. Parks exit play was fantastic and that side step debate erupted once more as Jonny Dubois exhibited ballerina toes. The ball went to the Stockton line where Park went to the trenches rucking, twisting and rolling over the line. Josh Hedley using his massive frame to score the try. Paul Spowart converting once more.
From the kick off Stockton attacked Park territory. You had the feeling they ere a tad fed up. With aggression and offloads they attacked the posts. Park’s defence was really good forcing the attacking side out wide. Stockton kept at it eventually forcing their way over in the corner. The conversion was missed. 45 points to 5. Percy Park’s response was immediate. Another Wrigley side step (boy did that debate rumble on!) took the home side to the front foot. The ball was moved to the left. Quick hands moved the ball quicker than the Stockton defence. Dan Jackson on hand to finish the move with a score in the south west corner. If the try was good. Paul Spowarts conversion was better. A really good knock secured the 7 points.
A charge down put the home side in a spot of bother before the rangy legs of Josh Hedley found a gap taking his team over the half way line. The move broke down, yet it demonstrated Percy Park’s eagerness to get forward.
The game went uncontested and the play became looser. Stockton were enjoying the freedom at the set piece and were moving the ball really well. Park had to be sharp in defence. Frustration at an inability to break the home line resulted in the away team disrespecting our touch judge’s flag. Throwing the same onto the spectator gallery. Shame really as ‘Jobba’ had placed his flag on the floor to collect an errant ball for the away team, exercising his newly acquired plastic hips. He’s still working on his lifestyle choices.
The game became ‘even’ with Stockton very much on the front foot. As the game wound down Stockton were reduced by one. Chris Reekie drove in low and dipped before the tackling player. The contact was high and appeared about the head, momentarily poleaxing the second row forward. It didn’t look good and created a reaction from our players. With the referee on the spot the visiting player was, correctly, shown the yellow card. Taking advantage of the extra man Percy Park rounded off a fine afternoon with a catch and drive off the line out with, I believe, Andy Dunn getting the touchdown in what was a very brief cameo from the bench. What I can say is that Josh Hedley didn’t score and neither did Paul Spowart or Leo Caulfield! 59 points to 5 at the final whistle.
On a final note, can I assure all reading that this is a serious piece of literature and not a comic book. Please look beyond the headline and the pictures! Big game next week at home to Middlesborough. We need a win to continue our push up the league placings. Your support and voice are valuable to us. Kick off 2pm. See you there.
Representing Percy Park RFC
From 15: Jamie Wrigley, Andrew Walker, Seb Reece, Howard Stock, Kieran Stock, Paul Spowart and Charley Miller.
From 8: Michael Langlands, Jonny Dubois, Keith Laughlin, Chris Reekie, Josh Hedley, Sam Digman, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith.
Finishers: Andy Dunn, Dan Jackson and Marc Barry.