Durham and Northumberland 1
Acklam RUFC 7 v Percy Park RFC 57
Its Grim on Teeside
A recurring theme of the saying "It's Grim up North” describes drab greyness, representing the dreary, overcast skies of the "grim" North. The southern remark resonated as the Faithful stood on the terraces of Acklam Rugby Club in rain, hail, sleet and bluster looking North across the brutalist architecture of industrial Teeside. As the collars came up and the hat was pulled down that extra inch, the combating teams took the field at Talbot Park in conditions that were as brutal as the landscape. Supporters were quick to huddle against the stout walls of the impressive Acklam Clubhouse as the home team kicked into the wind. It was not long before players had hands tucked under armpits to keep warm and the referee had to blow several times to be heard. The fact that both teams served up a good game to watch was a credit to both sides irrespective of the result. All the score line did was to emphasise respective league positions.
It took Percy Park 8 minutes to make the first score…a period where the away side playing with the wind realised that they could not play the long pass with the elements. The receiving player needed ‘Gadget (extended)’ hands to catch the ball. Keeping the ball close in hand Matty Atkinson drew in the defence with a carry before offloading to wing Ross Young. The accomplished winger was eager all game in hunting the ball. His off load put in Tom Robinson who finished off the move with some aplomb. The conversion was well taken. 7-0 to Park
Acklam found the passing game easier into the wind and moved Park around the pitch. Good defensive sets from the away side ensured that Acklam received little territorial reward. On the 15 Seb Reece joined the line to finish a patient move that involved a number of Park players retaining the ball before Tom Robinson unleased the trigger pass. The move was good but not as impressive as the conversion. Taken from far right of the posts and kicking across the same Ash Smith launched a low ball with the wind in between the uprights. An argument could be made for his best conversion this season. The kick brought many an acknowledgement from both home and away support. 14 nil
Shortly after Thomas Moore added to the score. Matty Atkinson carried giving the tip pass to Adam Hay on his right shoulder. The hooker took the space offered and carried well into Acklam land before off-loading to Thomas Moore. Conversion taken. 21-0. Simple but effective rugby.
Twenty (or so) minutes in and Percy Park had their fourth try of the game. A well taken line out took Leo Caulfield to the line. Robust defence momentarily held Park up before second row Andrew Clyde added muscle to the rear of the maul to shove all and sundry over the Acklam try line. Leo Caulfield emerging with the ball under a press of bodies complete with that Caulfield grin! The conversion cannoned off the post.26-0
As the game progressed hands became colder and a few balls were dropped and knocked on. Not suprising. The game went to the scrum. After the first two Park got the advantage and retained throughout the game.
Ash Smith was playing with his head up and used the kick to move the Acklam full back around the field. The tactic caused panic and the resulting kick chase enabled Park to catch the player in possession. That astute kicking game played dividends when a chip over the rushing defence had centre Ollie Stephenson running through the line to ‘descend’ on the ball to score. 33-0
As the game went to the half Michael Langlands made a good break before being snipered and needing the soothing hands of our physio. As the player returned to his feet ‘our’ Caroline informed all that the player was more than okay with a well-timed one liner that mentioned ‘Langas’ and ‘old’ in the same breath much to the amusement of the travelling support.
33 Nil at the half and Park playing into the wind, sleet, rain and other bits at the turn.
Changes made at half time as Percy Park ran the bench with the introduction of Andrew Steinberg, Andrew Walker and Paul Spowart. Mind Coach Dean Harrison would have been keen to get rid of him as ‘Spow’ had been bleeding his ears all the way through the first half.
From the off Percy Park were camped in Acklam’s half and in that much control that seagulls and other varieties of birds took up root in the away end.
A clatter from Andrew Clyde had an Acklam forward on the deck for a while before he, rather shakily, took back to his feet to continue. The delay in the game had all discussing the merits of Mr Clyde’s occupation that had him employed as a dentist, orthodontist, and a pharmacist all of which might have assisted the prone Acklam player…we were all wrong as he sells hips !..And luckily the home side player didn’t need one of those! The conversation passed over several minutes as we waited for something to happen. Fortunately Ollie Stephenson came to the rescue with a well-timed try following a dominant scrum. The conversion was missed 38 nil.
What followed was a short purple patch from Acklam as a very good defensive kick turned the Park defence. From the restart a high tackle from Stephenson allowed the Acklam’s forwards some momentum toward our try line. With some defenders static Acklam forced the ball over and took the points from the conversion.7-38.
Frustration crept into Acklam’s game and a rather crude ‘timbre’ on the outstretched leg of Andrew Steinberg went unpunished but caused a kafuffle that necessitated referee involvement. Park gave the perfect response to the unnecessary ‘faute’ when first Ross and then Captain Seb Reece scored in quick succession. Both tries being rewarded with the conversions. 7 points to 52.
Percy Park were well in the ascendency and only a deliberate knock on in the midfield prevented Park from scoring. Yellow card to Acklam. Only some resolute defending from the home side kept Park at bay however another yellow card for dissent didn’t help matters. Punishment came from another dominant set piece and a pass along the line to the advancing Seb Reece. The conversion was missed and the game ended at 7 points to 57, but not before Marc Cook put in an enormous hit on a home player knocking him several yards back with an almighty thump and in the saying that thump summed up their day.
Final score 7 points to 57 and five points in the bag…in truth a very good score in atrocious playing conditions. If anyone experienced playing away at Consett on the top of their hill in mid-winter you will immediately understand the use of the word atrocious and have some empathy!
Representing Percy Park RFC
From 15: Seb Reece, Howard Stock (capt), Tom Moore, Ollie Stephenson, Ross Young, Ash Smith and Tom Robinson
From 1: Matty Atkinson, Adam Hay, Marc Cook, Andrew Clyde, Sam Digman, Jonny Dubois, Leo Caulfield and Michael Langlands
Finishers: Andrew Steinberg, Andrew Walker and Paul Spowart.