Darlington 12 – 22 Percy Park
Park were back almost to full strength and were able to make several changes to the side that lost away to Carlisle the previous week. Andy Dunn made a welcome return to the side at hooker, with Ian Elliot, Michael Langlands and Greg Dixon also returning to strengthen the pack. In the backs the two Marcuses, Rutter and Turner returned at full back and centre.
Percy Park started the game in the third relegation spot, knowing that a win would lift them above Darlington in the table with a superior point difference. The home side kicked off into a stiff wind and with a bright spring sun in their eyes, and soon found themselves a try down after Andy Dunn crossed in the corner. The visitors had won a line out which although over thrown, found Michael Langlands who charged into the heart of the home defence. The ball was quickly recycled and Martin Shaw made a break and spun a pass left to Andy Dunn to score. Marcus Rutter was unlucky to hit the post with the conversion attempt and the ball stayed out.
Moments later Park were on the attack again, this time down the right and again Shaw made a telling break and off loaded to Thomas Turnbull who was stopped on the line. The ball was spilled, but somehow Park were awarded the put in to the scrum. Park went for the push over and the ball was picked up short of the line, but the referee penalised Park for holding on and the pressure was relieved momentarily.
The strong wind disrupted any back ball to the line out, although Adam Fidler for Park tried manfully against the elements and won a good ball which allowed John Scott to dart through a gap in the defence. Although the scrum half was stopped inside the Darlo 22, the home side gave away a penalty which Rutter kicked on 28 minutes.
With such a strong wind, a good lead would be needed for the second half, and Martin Shaw scored just on half time after a chip to beat the rush defence was retrieved, and he scored near the posts which assisted the Rutter conversion. Half time Darlington 0 – 15 Percy Park.
Marcus Turner's Midfield Break
Park started the second half well and won a penalty after a good midfield break by Marcus Turner. The centre was stopped just outside the 22, and
Darlington were penalised for going over the top of the ruck. Rutter once again hit the metalwork, this time his drilled kick hit the cross bar and bounced out. Unfortunately for the home side the ball was knocked on from the rebound and Park were awarded a scrum under the posts. With the ball won and a drive for the line, the referee again penalised Park for not releasing the ball despite have several support players over the ball at the breakdown.
The home side found their form on the hour and scored a try from a line out which was won and a maul driven up to the Park line. The Darlington scrum half Shaun Richardson made the important touch down to get his side on the score sheet, but the conversion was missed.
Both sides were guilty of handling errors with several knock ons in the second half. Ten points up and playing into the wind, coach Ponton brought on Jimmy Baldwin, who created a superb try almost immediately. Darlington were on the attack but a crunching tackle by newly wed Greg Dixon spilled the ball which Ian Elliot snatched and offloaded to Baldwin inside his own 22. The young Park scrum half showed a clean pair off heels to the opposition and was off up field. With both Fidler brothers in support it was Craig who received the pass and ran the ball up to the home 22 swatting away would be tacklers before offloading one handed to Michael Langlands who ran in and dived over the line to score in exuberant fashion. Rutter’s conversion on 78 minutes gave Park a 5 – 22 lead.
Darlington didn’t give up the ghost and scored through another catch and drive through Michael Tucker four minutes into injury time. The conversion by Nick Baldwin took the score to 12 – 22, but Park had won a vital two points and now swap places in the league with Darlington who now drop into the relegation zone.
Next week Park take on Hartlepool Rovers for their fourth away game on the trot, and will be hoping to retain the winning touch. Rovers form has dipped in recent weeks but they are always a tough side to beat on their home turf.
