PERCY PARK 43 – 14 GATESHEAD
Park continued from where they had left off last week, and apart from a wobble for 10 minutes before the end of the first half can be reasonably pleased with the performance. Gateshead came into the game with only one league win so far this season, and were soon down 5 – 0 from an Ashley Smith try five minutes into the game. Park had turned a Gateshead scrum through 90 degrees and had won a put in, from which Sean Williamson picked up, passed to Ollie Gilmore who then set the back line loose to Phil Morse and Smith then surged through a gap in the defence on the right side of the pitch. Simon Greatham hit the post with his conversion and the ball stayed out.
Most of the early possession was Park’s and when Gateshead were penalised in their own half for being offside, the ball was kicked to touch for the line out rather than taking the shot at goal. The decision proved correct as Andy Dunn found his man in the line and the maul was set then driven 20 yards to the line, with Greg Dixon touching down. For the second time the post came between Simon Greatham’s conversion and the 2 extra points.
Gateshead found it hard to break Park’s grip on the game, and the home side went further ahead on 28 minutes. Ash Smith found himself in space down the right and looked to switch with wing Howard Stock, but was stopped short of the line. The ball was quickly recycled however to Craig Fidler who offloaded to Joe Wafer to score and with the conversion Park now led 17 – 0.
Minutes later Park could have had the bonus point in the bag before half time when a great effort by No 8 Sean Williamson was denied by referee Mick Harris who judged that he had made a double movement in an attempt to get the ball over the line.
At this stage the Park players looked relaxed but a little complacency set in which allowed Gateshead to strike back. Skipper David Tate broke a couple of tackles down the blind side before the burly full back raced over the line to score a try which fly half Johnny Foster converted.
Bang on half time Gateshead struck again with a strong effort by powerful left wing Andy Gray who was trouble with a ham sting injury throughout the game, but nevertheless made light of several would be tackles to score under the posts and Foster hit the mark again to bring his side back within 3 points going into the break.
Percy Park regained their composure in the second half although their first score after the interlude was down to quick thinking by Phil Morse who pounced on a ball which had come out of the back of a Gateshead ruck in the Park half. The rangy Park 10 sped off up field and found Ash Smith in support. Park’s full back raced to the line and with players either side of him passed inside on his right to Simon Greatham who crossed the line to score on 46 minutes. Greatham converted his own try for a 24 – 14 and Park had secured a try bonus point in the process.
Club captain John Scott, coming back from injury replaced Ollie Gilmore at scrum half, and the tempo picked up with Fidler getting on the score sheet next. The play was moved right then back left, and a long pass from Phil Morse to Craig Fidler fell short of the Park lock forward who trapped the ball at his feet before picking up then feigning to pass left went through a gap to score Park’s fifth try and Greatham made no mistake with the conversion to stretch the lead 31-14.
Only 4 minutes later, Park were back on the attack in the Gateshead 22, and some good interplay between Michael Langlands and Andy Dunn gave quick ball to Howard Stock on the right wing to use his pace and score in the corner. Simon Greatham was off target this time with the difficult conversion chance.
With the game drawing to a close, Phil Morse capped a good display with an individual effort breaking through the visitors defence then out-sprinting the cover defence to score left of the posts. Greatham picked up the extra 2 points with the conversion. This bonus point win moves Park up to fifth in North 1 East, but Gateshead slip to the bottom of the table as a result. Next week Park travel to Middlesbrough.
WESTOE II 14 – 33 PERCY PARK LIONS
Park’s 2nd XV won their third consecutive away game in Candy League 1 with a strong second half performance. At half time the game was tied 14 – 14, but 19 unanswered second half points gave Park the win to the delight of coaches Carr and Jobson, who are very pleased with the performance of their young charges. At last a home game next Saturday as the Lions meet Middlesbrough II at Preston Avenue
NORTHERN III 0 – 69 PERCY PARK PUMAS
The Pumas maintained their 100% record for the season so far with this emphatic win over Northern at McCracken Park. Next Saturday the Pumas are on the road again, but just across the water at Westoe.
BLAYDON BRICKS 17 – 14 PERCY PARK MARAUDERS
A weakened Marauders XV lost narrowly to Blaydon in a close contest. The Bricks pack was just a little too strong for Park’s IVth XV.