PERCY PARK 13 - 5 BRADFORD SALEM
Park move on to the semi final stage of the EDF Energy Senior Vase after winning against a formidable Bradford Salem team, and all talk of a possible final at the home of English Rugby is banned until after the semi final on 21st March.
Both sides scored one try each, but it was the kicking of full back Marcus Rutter and the awesome defence, that was the difference on the day.The semi final draw is made on Tuesday and now goes national, so let's hope for a home tie. The sides left in are Berry Hill (Gloucester),Cullompton (Devon), and Tyledsley who are currently lying second in North Lancs and Cumbria.
After last week’s excellent away win at Northampton Old Scouts, Park had the advantage of a home draw, and were able to strengthen the squad with the return of Sam Walton and Liam Blackburn who were unavailable for last week’s trip, and Anthony Dunn returned to the bench after injury and a good display for the Lions XV the week before.
Park drew first blood after a good deal of territorial advantage. From a scrum inside the Salem 10 metre line, number 8 Brett Sylph picked up and drove into the heart of the visitor’s midfield. The ball was recycled quickly through the backs with Rutter coming into the line and a perfectly weighted lateral pass allowed right wing Ali Blair to run onto the ball at full pace and cross the line in the corner. Rutter then converted the difficult chance for Park to lead 7 – 0.
Bradford came straight back and scored a copy book try by their right wing Chris Savva who finished off a good handling move, but the try was unconverted.
Rutter extended the home side lead with a difficult penalty which just crept over the bar and Park led at the break 10 -5.
In the second half Percy Park had to weather the storm for a period when the Salem forwards battered away at the line but great defence kept the Yorkshiremen at bay. At one point the visitors did cross the line but referee Marcus Caton judged that it had been held up and a five metre scrum was awarded.
On 53 minutes one of the Bradford Salem locks was sin binned for killing the ball and Rutter stepped up to take the penalty which was successful and extended the lead to 13 – 5 meaning the Bradford side had to
score twice to win. Park were then almost the architects of their own undoing when running the ball out of defence. Brett Sylph’s trade mark off load fell agonisingly short of the player in support and Salem picked up on the loose ball. Moments later with the ball spun out through the back line Savva was unable to hold on to a pass when Park had run out of defenders, and the wing seemed certain to score.
Stout Park defence withstood everything Salem could throw at them and the game finished 13 – 5 and home players and supporters were jubilant that they would be in the hat for the semi final draw.
On the adjacent pitches Park’s Lions and Pumas both succumbed to stronger opposition and exited their cups at the hands of Newcastle University Freshers and Tynedale Grasshoppers.
Next week Percy Park’s Ist XV return to league duty away at Druid Park to Gosforth.