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PERCY PARK 41 – 28 WHEATLEY HILLS

An emphatic first half performance laid the ground work for a bonus point win that takes Park back to the top of North One East, leapfrogging West Hartlepool who ground out an away win at Pontefract. Park move ahead due to their superior points difference as for the second week in a row West, although winning couldn’t earn the vital extra bonus point.

Conditions were just about perfect for rugby with firm ground under foot and no wind, and both sides wanted to play rugby and royally entertained the crowd with a 10 try game that belied Hills reputation for just being a physical forward orientated side. It was the visitors who controlled the first 5 minutes of the game, but Park scored through Craig Fidler on six minutes with their first real spell of possession.

A loose ball was snapped up by Park and Craig Firth took the ball deep into the visitors half, a switch with wing Howard Stock kept play going, and as the ball was spun out wide from a ruck, Park had numbers lining up on the left of the field, but it was lock Craig Fidler who took the ball over the line unopposed to score the opening try, which Ash Smith converted.

Hills had the chance to open their account when Park strayed offside, but Guy Townsley was off target with the penalty kick. The visitors did however level the scores on 18 minutes when the ball was driven through the middle of a ruck by Byron Elliot and the Wheatley Hills rangy open side off loaded to Mikey Hayward to score with Townsley kicking the conversion.

Two minutes later Park re-took the lead again from a loose ball which involved Firth and Stock before the ball found full back Ash Smith who danced through a gap then powered his way through two defenders to score under the posts. His conversion made it 14 – 7. Ash Smith then stretched the lead for Park with a penalty three minutes later.

Wheatley Hills are not known as shrinking violets and came straight back and took play up to the home side’s 22. The visiting supporters thought they had scored when the ball appeared to be driven close to the try line, but referee Dave Charlton had signalled a penalty to Park, then some injudicious back chat cost the Doncaster side a further 20 yards, as Park cleared their lines. 

With the game edging closer to half time Ali Blair scored for Park after retrieving a mis-guided clearance kick by Hills. The ball was moved to Howard Stock on the right wing, then back inside to Martin Shaw and John Scott before Blair took the ball on once again to score under the posts for a seven pointer. With time almost up in the half, Park’s next attack saw them awarded a penalty after Gaz Burns was penalised for a shoulder charge. Expecting the kick at goal, the Park skipper checked there was sufficient time, and elected for a kick to the corner for the line out in the Wheatley Hills 22.

The line out was won cleanly and driven to the try line, the ball was recycled through several phases before fly half Martin Shaw drove over for the score on the left hand flank. Although the conversion was not made good, the try scoring bonus point was in the bag, and Percy Park led 29 – 7.

Wheatley Hills kicked off the second half and regained the form they had shown in the opening minutes of the game, putting Park under severe pressure close to the line on several occasions. Stout defence

particularly against the leagues leading try scoring Gaz Burns, kept the Yorkshire side at bay, but on 53 minutes Andy Dunn was yellow carded for slowing up play on a Hills attack near the line. The scrum was the obvious choice from the penalty, and although the visitors eight couldn’t drive the Park seven over the line, the ball was fed out and Byron Elliot scored and the try was converted by Townsley on 55 minutes.

With a man down, Wheatley Hills continued to press, and their over eagerness gave Park a penalty on their own 22. Now hind-sight is a wonderful thing, but the next few minutes had Park supporters with their heads in their hands. Instead of kicking to touch, possibly to half way, Park opted for a scrum! With a man down in the pack and no hooker, Hills took the ball against the head which led to a try by Alex Ogilvey which Townsley converted and Wheatley Hills were back in contention at 29 – 21, with 14 unanswered points scored during the sin bin period.

Park were stung into action and with Andy Dunn restored to the field, Park kicked a penalty to the corner for a line out. The ball was won and the drive moved play close to the visitor’s line, before being spun out to Shaw who offloaded to David Griffiths who crashed through the defence to score under the post. Smith kicked the easy conversion, and sanity was restored. 36 – 21.

Percy Park were now in control and when awarded a scrum on half way, James Ponton picked up and passed to John Scott who made a break down the right. Ash Smith then powered up the wing and drew two players to him before off loading inside to Howard Stock in support. The Park wing still had to beat two defenders close to the line before scoring. Unfortunately the conversion was off target.

With the game now into injury time and Park waiting for the final whistle, Wheatley Hills launched another attack with hooker Mark Cahill taking the ball on. A lovely chip through by the burly number 2 found wing Ryan Richardson in space, who turned on the after burners and raced for the line to score, which Hayward converted. Play was restarted, but the whistle came soon after and a thoroughly entertaining game ended 41 – 28.

Next week, Park’s 1^st XV travel to Cleckheaton, looking to avenge the defeat earlier in the season. The Lions play Alnwick II in the cup, the Marauders travel to Border Park for their cup semi final. For those supporters who can’t travel there is a great game in store with the veterans, Percy Park Penguins taking on Seghill Deputies for a place in the final of the Northumberland No 5 Cup.