DRIFFIELD 54 5 PERCY PARK
Parks chances of moving out of the relegation zone were derailed on Saturday by a strong well drilled Driffield side and three tries in 5 minutes by winger Alasdair McClarron hailed by the home side as the Kelleythorpe Express.
The visitors started brightly having made several changes to the side that lost to West Hartlepool two weeks ago and after 15 minutes with neither side having opened their account, Liam Casey had to leave the field after a dangerously high tackle which went unpunished by the referee. Liam joins the legion of injured and unavailable players with a fractured cheekbone.
The home side began their try fest with 3 well finished tries by left wing Alasdair McClarron who had only just returned to the side after injury. Fly half Birch converted 2 and after 20 minutes Park were down 19 0.
Whilst Parks line out was working well enough the bigger more experienced Driffield pack placed pressure on the younger visiting forwards. This pressure told when Cook scored from a catch and drive from a line out after Park had conceded a penalty for a late tackle.
Percy Park rallied for a spell with a series of driving mauls which were pulled down, with the referee warning Driffield on a number of occasions. The officials patience eventually ran out and he yellow carded the home side's number 8 for collapsing a maul from a line out.
A sustained period of pressure in the Driff 22 saw Thomas Turnbull cross the line only to see his try disallowed as the referee was unsighted. Rob Kalbraier made amends moments later however when he crashed over after a good break by Paul Davison and surging run by Andrew Dunn. Thomas Turnbull was unable to make the conversion and the score line remained 24 5 at the break.
The Woldsmen started the second half brightly with an early penalty from Birch and well worked try from centre Plumridge after his fellow centre broke several Park tackles and offloaded for a converted score under the post.
The Driffield backs seemed to have more urgency and pace than the visitors and coupled with good support play by the forwards scored the best try of the game. Jones finished off the try after a breakout from the home sides 22. Birch missed the conversion but did slot a penalty shortly after as Park infringed offside.
The home side rounded off their victory with 2 further tries by Birch and Millar whilst Park were down to 14 men after lock Craig Fidler was sent to the sin bin.
Although well beaten on the day the Percy Park side stuck to their task and credit must go to the young players from the Lions who have stepped up to the Ist XV following a horrendous spell of injuries to key players. The side included 10 players under the age of 21.
Percy Park Lions travelled to Tynedale and went down 25 7. Andrew Clyde scored Parks try which was converted by Morse.
Next week Percy Park entertain Hartlepool Rovers in the league and must hope for a return to form to stem the tide of losses. The Lions travel to Darlington Mowden Park.