NORTH 1 EAST
PERCY PARK 25 – 38 GUISBOROUGH
Despite opening the scoring with a Craig Smith try on 12 minutes, Park’s season finale was a disappointing one as they went down to a lively and spirited Guisborough side. Conditions were good for running rugby as the pitch had dried out well from last week’s downpour.
Over 140 former players, guests, sponsors and officials enjoyed a pre- match lunch and although neither Park nor Guisborough could improve on their current league position, both sides were out to end their season on a high.
After the early exchanges, it was clear that this was going to be a high scoring game, and so it proved, although Percy Park dominated the set piece. When Guisborough did have possession, their pacey back line had the hosts in all sorts of trouble, particularly fly half Will Muir who opened the scoring with an unconverted try for the visitors a minute after Park had gone into a 7 – 0 lead.
Two minutes later Guisborough were ahead when number 8 Michael MacDougall scored in the corner, and once again the conversion was wide. Paul Spowart’s 25th minute penalty kick levelled the scores at 10 – 10.
With the half drawing to a close, Park skipper Michael Langlands was sin binned for tripping, and the visitors took advantage as hooker Richard Clark scored in the 38th minute and this time Muir made no mistake with the conversion for a 17 – 10 lead at the interval.
Park were guilty of not capitalising on the possession earned by the pack and too often kick away ball that allowed Guisborough to counter. The visitors had the bonus point in the bag on 50 minutes as centre James Clark scored and Will Muir extended the lead to 24- 10.
Liam Scott’s try on the hour kept Park in touch, although Spowart’s conversion attempt hit the post and bounced out.
Play maker Muir scored his second try of the game as he carved through Park’s defence, kicking the conversion to go 31 – 10 in front.
Paul Spowart kept Park in the hunt, just, with a penalty but Guisborough snuffed out any chance of a come back with their final try of the game.
Park scored a consolation try at the end with Craig Smith’s second of the game and although Spowart converted, the game was gone and the score ended 25 – 38.