CHESTER 18 – 13 PERCY PARK
Having beaten Chester at Preston Avenue, Park were in with a chance of the double in this re-arranged league fixture, which had fallen foul of the weather on two previous occasions. The hosts were top of National 3 North going into the match with Harrogate hot on their heels for the automatic promotion spot. Last season Chester let their promotion chances slip in the final few games, but have led the league for most of this season.
Percy Park fielded much the same team as last week against Burnage, with the exception of Brett Sylph and James Ponton who were unable to travel. The visitors had an early try chance disallowed for a forward pass, but it was Chester that scored first from a catch and drive with Gill going over following a penalty for a high tackle.
Chester added to their lead with a penalty in front of the posts, then went further ahead when Craven finished off another driving maul for 13 – 0. Mackenzie scored for the home side after some sloppy Park tackling and at half time the Cheshire outfit were 18 – 0 to the good.
In the second half Park hit back, with 2 penalties from Ash Smith before Stu Wilson went over for a try for Park and Ash Smith converted to take the score to 18 – 13.
Both sides had players yellow carded throughout the game for cynical fouls, but at one stage in the second period Park were down to 13 men. Chester had a chance to go further ahead and deny Park a solitary losing bonus point but the kick was off target.
Chester had scored 3 tries but Park’s staunch second half display denied them a fourth. Failure to gain a vital bonus point sees Harrogate draw level on points, but with more wins leap frog them to the top spot. Park’s bonus point takes them back to fourth place with a visit to relegation threatened Kendal next week.
Both the Lions and Marauders were unable to pick up games, with their scheduled games against Ashington and Ponteland cancelled. The Pumas travelled to Druid Park to take on Gosforth Falcons and came away 35 – 3 winners to maintain their position on top of Northumberland River Blyth League, with Consett II close behind.
Next week Park have a full program of games with all four sides in action. The firsts are at Kendal, the Lions at home to Westoe II, the Marauders at home to Morpeth Stags, and the Pumas away to Wallsend Warriors, although this game may have to be re-arranged to accommodate the cup semi-final game against Whitley Bay Rockcliff Vikings.