Durham and Northumberland 1
Horden and Peterlee RUFC 17 v Percy Park RFC 49
Ash is better than Owen Farrell
International weekend saw both teams depleted in numbers with the visiting team being effected the greater. As the result confirms Percy Park have strength in depth and going forward can demonstrate some great talent coming through the ranks. Against Horden it was Alex Midgley and Peter Basara who stepped into the fold for their first team debuts and both did very well. Peter gaining infamy as in the space of 10 minutes he nearly scored his first try and then moments later received his first senior yellow card for not rolling away in the red zone. An award, which I have to say, miffed Peter greatly!!
Known former combatants, who like our own alikados, have donned their own clubs jerseys on Saturday afternoons a few years ago, received us warmly. Being gifted and then restoring the old Peterlee Football ground has created a fantastic community feel about their Rugby Club. A building they were keen to showcase and emphasise the emergence of a strong Colt team and youth set up. Horden might be in the midst of a reset, occupying a basement position in the league, but their future is in capable hands. We wish them well.
The game was physical played on a heavy pitch that at the beginning of the week resembled a swimming pool. When we saw the Horden team sheet we would not have been surprised if we saw Mark Spitz at full back and Michael Phelps in the second row. The pitch and a strong breeze off the North Sea ensured that playing conditions did not suit Percy Park. Horden took advantage playing a forward dominated game that kept the ball tight. The first up encounters were tough and the opening minutes were all about Percy Park’s defense as the team in black and white were hammered with eager ball carriers. It was testament to the hours on the training pitch that the defence held and the ground given was counted in inches.
Park wrestled and began to earn the right to play. Karl Thompson interrupted a Horden lineout allowing Tom Robinson to whip a ball out into the back line. Park attacked the line. Only a superb tackle prevented the score. The support play from the victors was up to the mark and the recycled possession saw wing Ross Young step his marker before off loading to Tom Robinson who secured the first try of the game. The conversion taken. 7 to nil
Park’s first scrum wasn’t great as the Horden front row looked ‘wiley’ yet the second was blistering. Having worked out the opposition Park dominated setting the Horden pack back at a great rate of knots. Possession won. Andrew 'Drew' Walker saw a gap and exploited it with real pace and power. Park wwere in the red zone and somehow messed up two good opportunities to score. The visitors stuck with it . Once more Andrew Walker saw the gap and went through to score a great individual effort. 14 nil the score
From the kick off Percy Park collected and spun wide. Before Horden could react Park were across the try line for another score through the hands of Paul Spowart. 21 nil. Horden kept coming and were knocked back. The forwards matching the home team effort. Josh Hedley taking advantage of a 'turn over' ball to break through and deliver the offload to Tom Robinson. Robinson held on to score his second of the day. 28 nil.
Hordens first score was a surprise. A Horden ‘put in’ saw their pack pushed backwards. Park came 'up field' yet the home team scrum half managed to pick the ball out . The player went down the side of the scrum without being contested enabling Horden to dash to the line and achieve the score. A really sharp try. We are told that their scrum half is part of the 'up and coming' Colt side at Peterlee. The conversion was missed. The freshening breeze made a kick to the south end of the ground difficult. 5 to 28 after 32 minutes.
Percy Park were playing with confidence. Almost too much confidence. The 'quick rugby game plan' was great to watch but on the day, the final delivery or pass didn’t match the build up. Chances were going begging and as a consequence Percy Park were punished. Lets say a 'fortunate set piece' had Horden attacking a defensive line. A big hit from Ross Young was heard at the back of the stand but it was not enough to break the home sides momentum to the line. Horden kept the ball tight with the 'pick and go' eventually creeping over the try line to score. Fortunately for the away side the conversion hit the crossbar. 10-28 at half time.
At half time Percy Park ran the bench with Peter Basara making his entrance. And what an entrance. From the kick off Percy Park made solid inroads into the Horden half. Then with a wriggle and ball in hand Peter took off to the home line. Stopped just short of the whitewash, the ball was recycled and the pressure remained on the Horden defence. Sam Digman getting the all-important touch down. Conversion taken 10-35. A good start to the half.
The home team half time team-talk must have been good as it worked wonders in the set piece as Horden started to disrupt Park’s dominance in the scrum. I mentioned they were 'wiley' and they did everything outside of the law book to prevent a straight platform. What they got upto worked and wasn’t seen.
The next score went to Park and owed much to the forwards. Hooker Adam Hay created a good break, ably supported by his front row colleagues, before Josh Hedley bounced and bundled clearing a path to get his frame over the line. 10 to 42
Percy Park continued to play quick rugby stretching Horden. Horden responded by running direct and hard. The game was certainly physical. A poor Park line out gave Horden the ball and, as mentioned, direct rugby took them into Park’s red zone. Going to the pick and go Peter Basara was dispatched on a yellow for not rolling away. The subsequent penalty and numerical advantage saw the Horden forwards over the line. 17 points to 42.
Decisions started to go against Percy Park. Some were harsh and Horden were enjoying a spell where they disrupted the quick ball from the side. Joe Cassidy allowed frustration to get the better of him and we were dispatched '10' for back-chat. Park kept their discipline, allowed frustration to disappear and got on with the task in hand.
Team captain Howard Stock was unlucky not to find a supporting player as he placed the ball back, having said a Horden player gathered, and without looking, passed the ball back finding ground not player. Josh Hedley picked up and was immediately penalised for being offside. Decisions were going against.
The game went to the hard yards and became a little disjointed. Good possession was kicked away by both sides. Then Percy Park managed to achieve a straight platform in the scrum, and with clean ball, Percy Park went down the line with great hands from forwards and backs alike. Ross Young providing the finish. Ross is evolving into a lethal finisher any half chance he puts away; the conversion was from out wide and difficult into the breeze.
Percy Park are enjoying good support away from home and many of our younger players are following the team. One such youngster looked on as Ash set himself up for the kick. Many thought he would never make it. Not so this young man who was convinced the shot would go over. The strike was good and the breeze did its best to prevent the trajectory as the ball was held up in the air. For that moment all looked with held breath, until the ball dropped over the cross bar and secured the extra points. At which our young supporter was heard to say “Ash is better than Owen Farrell”
17 to 49 the final score. Five points secure and the chase for the title takes the faithful to a home game next week v Medicals RFC
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15: Paul Spowart, Kieran Sutherland, Howard Stock, Ash Smith, Ross Young, Andrew Walker, and Ross Young.
From 8: Leo Caulfield, Karl Thompson, Mark Barry, Josh Hedley, Andrew Clyde, Matty Atkinson, Adam Hay and Sam Digman.
Finishers; Peter Basara, Joe Cassidy and Alex Midgley.