Durham and Northumberland 1
Whitley Bay Rockcliff RFC v Percy Park RFC
Bicentennial Smith guides Park to victory.
A pre match sit down with a gathering of old friends, young and old, coupled with a healthy dose of nostalgia and history, created a marvellous atmosphere of anticipation, for what is one Northumberland Rugby’s oldest fixtures. When both sides are on form there is no better derby ‘ding dong’ in the North East and what we got was all of that. Two red cards, verbal spats, no quarter tackles and a wrestle to see who would ultimately prevail. It was an absorbing encounter refereed by a gentlemen from London who was amazed to see the two players he carded share a laugh, a handshake, and a cuddle after they departed the pitch. It is Park versus Rockcliff after all and that’s what happens. Worst of enemies on the green, best of friends off it. And as the said referee stood in the bar conversing with all post game he admitted that he had really loved his afternoon and it was well worth the trip up from the big city.
The home side deserved more out of the encounter they played really well. Park were off the pace and almost got caught out, but that is what derby rugby does; the match day buildup of expectation and excitement for the player ensures that nobody can quite predict how it will turn out.
It was also fitting that the fixture saw player coach Ash Smith surpass the 200 point mark for his boyhood club. It is quite the achievement. An achievement that will remain in the thoughts and history books. Yet Smith needed all those skills learnt on the playing fields of Preston Avenue, and Tynedale Park, to carry his team across the final whistle. An astute master class in kicking, point scoring and retaining territory choked Rockcliff just at the moment when the Whitley Bay side looked as if they were about to edge the contest. He was absorbing to watch in a tense and dramatic encounter.
Percy Park started the game really well almost too well. Even the Rockcliff kick off went to Paul Spowarts plan as he told all and sundry that the home player would kick the ball straight into touch. ’Spow’ made the call and we went to the scrum. The resulting platform saw good ball won and with ball in hand Percy Park moved through the Rockcliff backline. Andrew Walker added the extra man from the full back post to cross the line with a good handoff that kept the covering player away. It has to be said the ‘put down’ was a bit dodgy. With points taken Percy Park were 7 points to the good and the away support expected more.
Rockcliff went to the arm wrestle and Percy Park were stifled of quick ball. The quick ruck wasn’t happening and our back line had to wait. When the ball came Rockcliff were organized and isolated the ball carrier. Both sets of forwards were banging heads as the game went to the ‘to and fro’. Percy Parks scrum began to creak with Andrew Steinberg being penalised for ‘going to ground’. The infringement giving a penalty scoring chance to the home side. Duly taken three points to seven.
The score gave Rockcliff encouragement and they drove at Park’s defensive line. Although stopped Park needed to get off the line quicker. They were leaking territory. Another scrum went Rockcliff’s way. It needed sorting out and sure enough the front row union got together and began to dominate. What they did remains a mystery but it was successful. Platform resumed and Park were off the blocks and sprinting hard. Only a fine last ditch tackle and ‘stifle’ from Rockcliff 15 Ryan Rapallo prevented another score. Percy Park being penalised for ‘holding on’. The resulting boot up field was gathered by Ash Smith who made ground before setting the away sides back line away. Ross Young being the beneficiary of some classic back play. At the point of the scoring moment a rather tall supporter drawled “They (Rockcliff) have started with enthusiasm but we have class”. The conversion was missed 3 points to 12.
Percy Park were at it again moments later. This time it was the Preston Avenue forwards relishing the battle. Having secured really good ball wing Kieran Sutherland ‘crashed’ through the Rockcliff defense. A sublime off load gave the supporting Andrew Walker the easiest of scores. It was a great try and it did have that little bit of ‘class’. Conversion taken at 3-19. The two extra taking Ash Smith past the 200 point mark. A round of applause resonated from the faithful, albeit I am not so sure it was echoed by our dearest neighbours.
Percy Park hit a purple patch. They were dominant in the scrum and their line outs were going to plan. The next try was coming and from that base Ross Young was entered the line to score another. With hand on ball Young is difficult to stop. Team effort though and the away side was playing well. Conversion taken 3 points to 26. All was going well until the restart and in a blink the momentum of the game changed.
The restart was lofted high and toward Paul Spowart. The ball fell short of the player causing the knock on. The scrum just outside Percy Park’s 22. A quick ‘in’ put Rockcliff on the front foot and Park went back. The loose head taking away the straight push. The ball came out to eight and to Hansen at ‘10’. Park came up passive and the chip over was chased down. With Park having to turn, the Rockcliff player was able to collect and score. With the easiest of conversions the score difference went to 16. 10 points to 26. A nice bit of skill. Percy Park needed to attack the line with more aggression.
As the game resumed Park remained on top until a nasty clash of heads saw Captain Seb Reece head to the technical area with a nasty wound above his right eye. Ollie Stephenson replacing. Duly greased and taped, Rees hoped to return to the fray but was beaten by the half time whistle.
At the break Percy Park rang the changes. Andrew Clyde replaced ‘Steiners’ in the front row and properly wished he hadn’t. A welcome return from injury for Jake Smith. The late Rockcliff score had galvanized the home team. The first scrum of the half was horrible. ‘Clydey’ went to the wheel, or something like that, and Rockcliff won possession. The ball remained with the home side for some time as Park conceded territory. It was not long before the referee deemed that Park had infringed and allowed Rockcliff a kick at goal. The penalty was missed and as the game progressed the 3 points, if taken, might just have given Rockcliff a later edge.
The next score was almost as horrible as the score. Percy Park crashed up. Holding high the player was stripped of the ball. The Gilbert sphere was sent 75 yards down the pitch with a thunderous boot. From the line out Rockcliffs wiley player coach Craig Hamilton took control. From the 22 Rockcliff mauled and pushed, eventually taking Park back across their line. Fortunately for the away side the conversion hit the post. 2 points lost or you could argue 5. Would the loss of those points prove crucial? The score at 15 to 26. Getting closer.
Tackles were flying in, although for some reason Park didn’t come onto the front foot. Still it was tense. Tom Robinson was penalised for a high tackle, albeit the elbow to the forehead had been missed. Back to the boot and from an offensive position Park were defending their 22. Almost a replica of the earlier Rockcliff score. This time Rockcliff could not get momentum and the ball went to the floor where it was contested. Players flew in and a disagreement followed. You knew something had happened on the floor as both sides went to the epi centre. Shirts were grabbed and the whistle went. Play stopped as did the disagreement. The referee had a word and showed red to Percy Park’s Michael Langlands and Rockcliff’s Andrew Webster. As both players trudged to their respective benches they met in the middle and sportingly made up. From many account it was ‘much to do about little’. Let’s hope the suspensions for both sides reflect the lack of real malice from both players. More like a spat between cousins!
The loss of Percy Park’s number 8 was felt more as the play went to the scrum. Park went back and Rockcliff went over the line. Not good. The conversion taken.22 points to 26. Park were throwing the game away. We need a response.
The restart was great. A hanging ball was met with real aggression and Rockcliff reeled. That aggression should have been shown earlier but as Mark Midgely was quick to observe the try was coming. Percy Park stormed and from the middle, centre Ollie Stephenson found room to cross over. 22 to 33. A bit of daylight.
The game became furious and Rockcliff were penalised for being offside. Offences seen by the referee as their tactics were slowing Park’s quick ball. A word to the home Captain brought his team into line. The game went to the ‘ding dong’.
Park’s defense was good and Rockcliff could not break through. Percy Park got a little excited and lost ball in promising positions. Then it happened again. You would have thought we would have learnt not to get isolated. Once more we were stripped and again the ball was returned with vengeance to our 22. No surprise Rockcliff scored again. 27 to 33.
Time for some leadership and Ash Smith stepped to the plate taking Percy Park into the last quarter with some assurance. Astute kicking kept territory, players were encouraged to keep the ball and play the phases. Rockcliff became frustrated and yet again were spoken to by the referee. A scoring penalty opportunity was given and Smith took the chance. 27 points to 36. The game continued in the same vein: prodding and probing. As the clock ticked down Percy Park went to the line and were unlucky to be called for ‘held up’. On the held up call the referee had seen enough and blew for full time. The crowd inwardly and noticeably drew breath. A tense affair and one of the better derby games seen for a while. The contest generating conversation well into the evening…that is until 11:30pm a weave home via the side of Morrison’s and for another a wake up from a Taxi driver as he was delivered to his bourgeois pad on the Quay.
On a final note the author wishes to record an apology to Paul Spowart for missing his try last week. If I don’t apologise I will never hear the end of it!!
Representing Percy Park RFC
From8: Michael Langlands, Sam Leeds, Thomas Moore, Mark Barry, Karl Thompson, Andrew Steinberg, Andrew Dunn and Matty Atkinson.
From 15 Andrew Walker, Kieran Sutherland, Seb Reece, Paul Spowart, Ross Young, Ash Smith and Tom Robinson
Finishers: Andrew Clyde, Jake Smith and Ollie Stephenson.