SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH
BILLINGHAM 20 – 32 PERCY PARK
Skipper Michael Langlands secured a bonus point win with Park’s fourth try of the game to win this Tyne Tees derby at Greenwood Road Billingham. Both teams had to make late changes to the sides shown in the match day program with Sean Williamson coming into the side for James Ponton, who sustained an injury during midweek training. Percy Park stayed mainly with the side that had beaten Beverley the previous week, with the exception of Stu Cannon and Marc Cook who were both ruled out with injury. Alan Blakey returned at tight-head prop and Michael Langlands moved to openside.
The game kicked off in perfect conditions if not a bit warm for the players, and Park kicked off down the slope with the sun in their eyes. After only a couple of minutes had elapsed Stu Findlay had to leave the field after tackling his opposite number into touch, and Park brought on scrum half Jimmy Baldwin to the left wing.
Billingham had the first chance to get the scoreboard moving with a penalty by Peter Evans which went wide, but 3 minutes later he was on target as Park were reduced to 14 men as Michael Langlands was binned an alleged trip.
Percy Park hit back with a try by Jimmy Baldwin after the ball was turned over and Guy Pike made a strong run through the home defence. Phil Morse shipped the ball wide and Jimmy Baldwin stepped inside the cover defence to score close to the posts, with Toby Davison making no mistake with the conversion.
Toby Davison was soon kicking at goal again after Billingham were penalised in the scrum and threw the ball away, and the referee advanced the penalty 10 metres, so on 26 minute Park led 10 -3.
Both sides at times were guilty of losing possession, and when Park were robbed of the ball in a tackle, Billingham attacked down the left hand side finding Craig Shepherd who had come off the right wing, who forced his way over for the try, although Peter Evans couldn’t secure the extras.
Replacement prop Steve Hutchinson was yellow carded for deliberately knocking the ball out of the Park scrum half’s hand in a ruck and the visitors capitalised soon after when a flowing move found full back Toby Davison in the line to score. The conversion was just wide.
Right on the stroke of half time, Billingham scored a good try after a defensive lapse in the Park line, and with the Evans conversion the scores were tied at 15 – 15.
In the second period Park pinned Billingham in their own 22, but managed to steal the home line out. Quick ball found Ali Blair at outside centre who raced to the line for the try. The Billingham supporters felt sure the ball had been dropped over the line, but the try stood and the Davison conversion moved Park into a 22 – 15 lead.
When Percy Park were penalised inside their own half, Josh Hedley was sin binned for preventing a quick tap penalty, and not being 10 metres. Peter Evans had a shot at goal but his attempt was off target.
Billingham then had a spell when the red mist seemed to descend and they were penalised for deliberately wheeling the scrummage. More back chat to referee Nick Ramsden, lost them a further 10 metres putting the ball in range for a penalty goal which Toby Davison kicked to edge Park further ahead on 66 minutes.
Park continued to press and Phil Morse went for a speculative drop goal which was charged down and the ball ricocheted back into the Percy Park half. Guy Pike retrieve possession and raced up field cutting through the broken Billingham line and was stopped just short of the try line. Michael Langlands was on hand at the resulting ruck and dived over for the try which with the conversion gave Park a 32 – 15 lead with only minutes remaining.
Percy Park had another penalty chance but the kick was wide, although on 83 minutes the visitors attacked again and with an overlap and the Billingham defence in disarray, a wide cut out pass was intercepted by Peter Evans who raced up field. Although he was stopped in the Park 22, good backing up led to a try by centre Tom Small. In an effort to keep play going, Luke Wilson took a drop goal attempt rather than a place kick and the ball went wide of the post, so despite the score board reading 22 -32 the actually finishing score was 20 – 32 as the whistle went for full time.
Next week Park entertain Bradford and Bingley at Preston Avenue KO 3.00pm.
UBS CANDY LEAGUE 1
PERCY PARK LIONS 64 – 20 BILLINGHAM LIONS
The two side met only 3 weeks earlier and in that game Billingham just edged it 27 – 24. With both teams having made several changes due to injury and unavailability, it was Park who came out on top with a strong performance for a bonus point win. Park scored 10 tries in all with Liam Blackburn looking to get back into the 1st XV with 3 tries on the day. Not to be out done, and with Sean Williamson moving up to the 1st XV, the Lions were without a number 8, so Director of Rugby Thomas Turnbull, stepped in and scored 3 tries of his own including a push over!
There were also scores from Stevie Irving, Leo Caulfield, Oscar Pritchard and Zak Appleby-Rutter. The Lions welcomed back Chris “Tank” Reekie for his first game in a few seasons and there were good performances from Andy Clyde, Tom Pollock and Leo Caulfield.
Try of the match came from Thomas Turnbull, which started from a scrum in the Park 22. The ball was flicked between the number 8’s legs to scrum half Oli Gilmour to Liam Blackburn who raced down the left wing. Turnbull using his winger speed took an inside pass to score under the posts.
One of Liam Blackburn’s tries came close in the “try of the game stakes” when Matty Marshall put in a well weighted cross-field kick to find Liam on the left wing to score.
Next week the Lions travel to West Hartlepool to take on the Stags.
NORTHUMBERLAND COQUET LEAGUE
WALLSEND WARRIORS 24 – 41 PERCY PARK MARAUDERS
The Marauders started their league campaign with a winning visit to Wallsend. In the spirit of sportsmanship Park loaned Wallsend 3 players to ensure the game could go ahead.
A good weekend for the club with three senior wins, and the Academy notching their first win of the season against Wigton Colts.