Driffield 43 – 22 Percy Park
A mad six minute spell was largely the undoing of Park as Driffield racked up 19 points midway through the first half. The team coach arrived early and the players seemed well prepared which is more than can be said for some of their supporters who arrived part way through the first half which kicked off early at 2pm to accommodate a wedding in the club house which had been booked for 18 months. The “Lost in’t York” award however must go to club manager Brian Scorer who arrived late for a 3pm kick off ,just in time for the final whistle.
The Kellythorpe side have high expectations for the new season with the return of Craig Gray and Luke Thompson from Australia, but it was prodigal son Lee Birch returning from Hull Ionians who did most damage with four tries, the first coming in side 10 minutes, converting his own try to take the home side into an early 7 – 0 lead.
Marcus Rutter kicked a penalty before Park’s concentration levels dropped and Driffield score three quick tries. The first came from their young right wing who finished off a try wide out after the ball had been moved left then right across the field stretching the Park defence. Birch was unable to convert the extras.
Tom Wright showed his pace immediately from the kick of after the ball was won by the Driffield pack. The centre scored the first of his two tries stepping inside two despairing Park tacklers who didn’t lay a hand on him. Birch made no mistake with the conversion this time.
Percy Park restarted and made sure of retrieving the ball which was recycled through the forwards then spun out through the backs, a knock on in midfield by player coach Martin Shaw allowed Tom Wright to pick up on a loose ball and with the referee playing advantage, he sped to the line unopposed. Again Birch kicked the conversion and a shell shocked Park were down 26 – 3, and appeared to be looking down the barrel of a heavy defeat.
Park regrouped and just before the end of the first half pressed the Driffield try line. The home side defended well but Adam Fidler stole a lineout at the front of the line and the Park forwards drove the ball on, over the line with Andy Dunn getting the touch down. Marcus Rutter kicking against a strong wind unluckily hit the post and the ball bounced back out to deny the extra, and much needed two points.
Just before the half ended Driffield had a chance to restore their 18 point lead with a penalty. Birch kicked a high ball which appeared to have gone between the posts, but neither touch judge was certain that the ball had bisected the uprights, so the flags stayed down and the half ended Driffield 26 – 8 Percy Park.
Park had the benefit of a strong wind in the second half, and five minutes in, Thomas Turnbull finished off a good move with Alan Barlow coming into the line giving the final pass for Park’s right wing to go over. With Marcus Rutter’s conversion the score was now 26 – 15.
Sometimes a helping wind can be a hindrance, and when Marcus Rutter’s deep line kick went dead, Driffield capitalised on the scrum back retaining the ball from the scrum, and setting loose Lee Birch down the right hand side. The full back was unable to convert his own try, hitting the post in the attempt.
Percy Park were playing better in the second period, and scored through Liam Blackburn when the left wing stepped inside after receiving a pass from Thomas Turnbull. Liam had to work hard to finish the try taking three defenders over the line with him in the process. Marcus Rutter’s conversion brought Park back to within 9 points with the score line 31 – 22, with ten minutes remaining, but another over run touch kick brought Park back in their own half defending a scrum, and it was Birch again who made Park pay with his third try of the day. Driffield’s man of the match scored again with a fine solo effort on the final whistle to take the score to 43 – 22.
Next week Percy Park will be looking to bounce back at home to Durham City