NORTH 1EAST
PERCY PARK 50 – 10 NORTHERN
Back to back wins take Park to the top of North 1 East at this early stage, 2 weeks into the new season. Newly promoted Northern travelled to Preston Avenue with high hopes after a resounding win last week against Malton and Norton, but they were soon on the back foot 2 minutes into the game as Lome Fa’atau crossed the try line and Michael Grove kicked the conversion.
Park pressured the visitors for the next 20 minutes without adding to their tally until Michael Grove kicked a penalty to take the score to 10 – 0.
Percy Park had the upper hand in the pack and their pacey back line caused Northern trouble all afternoon. A fine break and chip ahead by Toby Davison saw him race clear down the left wing but as he crossed the line after retrieving his kick, the ball spilled and the try went begging.
As half time approached scored 3 tries in 5 minutes as first Seb Reece crossed the line, then Michael Grove retrieved a chip chick from Phil Morse to score, then Michael Langlands added another on the stoke of half time, with the bonus point in the bag and the lead 29 – 0.
It was stale mate for the first 10 minutes of the second period until Northern scored an unconverted try, but debutant Richard Chadwick hit back almost immediately with his first Park try after a great break by Toby Davison and some quick recycling of the ball.
It was time for the forwards to get on the score sheet again, as Karl Thompson powered over for Park’s sixth try after a catch and drive from the line out and then flanker Josh Lake scored between the posts on 67 minutes with Grove kicking the conversion to bring up 50 points.
Northern had the last word as fly half Clark went over for a try as Park failed to deal with a speculative kick . The try was unconverted and the whistle went for the end of the game, and emphatic win for the black and whites.
Austin Phillips was awarded the Energie Fitness Man of the Match.
Meanwhile at McCracken Park, Percy Park Lions also had a resounding 7 try victory over Northern Wanderers winning 52 – 12.