Carlisle 25 Percy Park 26
Park Academy won the league title away to Carlisle with a last gasp penalty claiming victory with a game to spare.
Missing Matty Robson through work committments and with a number of players carrying injuries and heavily strapped, Park took to the field knowing a win would clinch the title. Park kicked off and pressured for the first few minutes until a breakaway from Carlisle from what looked suspically like a tackle on a player without the ball lead them to going the length of the field and scoring, converted for 7 - 0 to the home side. Soon afterwards caught in their own 22, Park turned over the ball and found themselves 12 - 0 down in as many minutes.
Waking up Park began playing some good rugby, gaining ground with forward drives and counter attacking through good back three hands until Zac Rutter dropped a goal for 12 - 3. Continuing the pressure forwards drove and drove with Alex Galbraith crashing over for 12 - 8. Carlisle lost possession in the middle of the field and following a number for kick throughs Jack Dents pace beat the defence and the dead ball line for a great touch-down to make it 12 - 13. Carlisle responded with a penalty for offside on the 22 to take the lead again at 15 - 13. Close to the end of the half Matty Atkinson crashed over following good line pressure, converted by Rutter for a half time score of 15 - 20.
The second half ebbed and flowed with both teams producing good and bad rugby - showing niavity in situations following great skill and committment. Carlisle kicked another penalty cancelled out by a snap drop goal by Stevie Irving. Looking to attack Park lost JJ through injury and then lost ground through good Carlisle attacks and penalties. Poor tackling let Carlisle in under the posts with the conversion a formality, Park were now behind at 25 - 23 with time running out. Continued pressure and attack had Carlisle trapped in their 22 until a penalty against Park and a last play being called looked like the change had gone. From the final line-out Josh Hedley stole their ball and from the resulting ruck Carlsile were penalised for a final chance to save the game. Well outside the 22 Zac Rutter didn't look confident of making the kick but to give the lad his due he composed himself and planted the ball straight between the uprights with plenty of distance to space. Jubilation at the final whislte and well hard fought result to clinch the title against a good Carlisle side.
Final Score Carlisle 25 Percy Park 26
Man of the Match: Jack Dent