Durham and Northumberland 1
Percy Park RFC 53 v South Shields Westoe RFC 17
Harsh watch for Haddock as Rees scores 4
As Westoe stalwart Stu Ashman strolled along the banks of the Percy Park’s first team pitch he cut a remarkable resemblance to Captain Haddock ,of ‘TinTin’ fame, and as the author dryly pointed out all that was missing from the scene was the Thompson Twins. On the saying the scribe was not disappointed as Percy Park Club President and his sidekick Don Millican popped up behind. The image was complete. The light hearted banter epitomized the enthusiasm that was abounding around Percy Park that afternoon. The Lions were playing out an entertaining game against a Westoe second string and our U12’s ,alongside their South Shields compatriots were filling the ground with excited chatter having enjoyed a game and eagerly awaiting being first team mascots and a guard of honour. Throw in much welcomed young people, with their families, following a very successful schools festival that week and you had an atmosphere that said much about Percy Park’s relationship with the game of rugby and their ability to bring together friendship, family and community. A heady undercurrent to a 1st team game that promised much and delivered more.
A scruffy start put Percy Park on the back foot as a mis-field had Westoe moving the ball with pace and immediately threatening the line. Captain Seb Rees was on hand to take the ball over the threshold to prevent an opening score. The resulting scrum brought in a bit of ‘afters’ and with order restored Percy Park were able to clear their lines. We then had a period of fast frantic rugby that moved from end to end. The opening salvos saw two teams that were well matched. As the game opened Park took advantage of the space in the wide channel. Centre Thomas Moore took a good line and carved an opening. The chase was on. A clever offload found the wide and with real support Seb Rees finished an electric move to score his first. The resulting conversion matched the try as Ash Smith put in a sublime kick. 7-0
The second try was as good as the first. From a bobbling ball wing Kieran Sutherland ate the ground stretching the Westoe defence. Recycled ball saw Prop Matty Atkinson make good ground before Tom Robinson was able to whip the ball to his right, enabling the impressive Thomas Moore to float a long pass wide to a lurking Leo Caulfield. Power, Pace, Precision. Ash Smith was unlucky with the punt as his effort hit a post.12-0.
A penalty by Smith kept the scoreboard ticking over. Westoe weren’t panicking yet. Their set piece was good and they had ball to work with. The midfield was an area full of hard contact. Percy Park were enjoying the challenge. For the supporter it was a great watch. The ball was fizzing about. As Park went wide the Westoe full back was engaged and showed to all watching that he knew what he was about. A loose kick from Ash Smith gave Westoe the line out and they went to the middle. Some really strong running had the visitors crossing the gain line. As numbers were drawn in Westoe went wide with the visiting fly half working hard on the loop. Try converted 15-7.
It didn’t take long for Percy Park to respond. A penalty was given for the offside. 18-7.The game was physical on the floor. Westoe looked to tie in but Percy Park kept to the quick and were rewarded with a fine individual try from Seb Reece. Ball retained from the scrum Thomas Moore played a flat pass to his Captain. The angle of the run was razor sharp and once through a ‘step’ found the space and Rees had the gas to round the opposition. With the try converted 25-7 at the half.
As Park made use of the bench fresh legs kept the intensity of the game at the highest limit. Flanker Jake Smith was relishing the contest. South Shields born gave him dancing feet. Complete with headdress he spun out of the contact and saw the Tunnel exit to North Shields which he happily, and eagerly, ran to. Showing real pace, that zeal enabled the flanker to cross for the try…followed by a fist pump and a leap that had echoes of Swan Lake. His efforts raided a cheer and many smiles. It was a great effort. Conversion taken.32-7.
Westoe need something as the game was slipping like sand through an uncupped hand. And that moment arrived from the impressive 15 Ben Roberts. Park’s scrum looked good. As the gathering wheeled, Westoe’s 8 picked up and with a short pass Roberts was across the angle to round the covering defence. Conversion missed 32-12. Westoe were at the game. A missed tackle let the visitors through and it was only some good work at the scrum by Tom Robinson that prevented another score. Tackles were flying in as the game pulsated from end to end. As the players tired gaps became available and were taken.
Percy Park broke the contest with a rolling maul in the left hand corner. A high tackle advantage saw a ‘free ball’ lamely kicked at goal, yet the return to the penalty kick gave the lineout and eventual score. A short line out move was stopped by an infringement. Back to the lineout. Round two saw the gather and land. With ‘all and sundry’ piling in, the ball was forced over the line with Hooker Adam Hay receiving the plaudits. Adam got lost in there somewhere but still came up trumps. Conversion taken 39-12
To their credit Westoe responded with another Ben Roberts score. The missed conversion didn’t help the cause. At this point Percy Park were on top and a further two tries from Captain Seb Reece reinforced the point. A yellow card to the visiting team for a deliberate knock on compounded problems
As Captain Haddock huffed Michael Langlands was given the rest. With his head remaining in the heat of the contest a Percy Park coat felt the force of his ire at being removed. It was only when a considerate supporter presented him with a Snickers bar did our former Captain take a breath. With a sugar burst I was assured ‘le cuir a rasoir’ was extinguished.
As the game drew to its conclusion Percy Park were unlucky not to add to the score. A line break saw the Park forwards win the wrestle to secure the ball. With the ball given to Ash Smith, a clever cross kick bounced agonizingly into touch millimeters from the outstretched hand. Final score 53-17.
An absorbing contest. Westoe played well and their travelling committee were rightly happy that their team are emerging as a competitive force in this league....Percy Park were just that bit better.
The result capped a fine seven days for Percy Park. Our community programme, sponsored by Wade Financial, is in full swing and a number of young people that had taken part in a school rugby festival that week were present in their T-Shirts roaring their newly found club to victory. For many it was their first taste of a game of senior rugby and they loved it. Many a child was heard asking their parents to bring them to the club on a Sunday morning so they could take part.
Many thanks to South Shields Westoe RFC for bringing their Second and U12 teams across to Preston Avenue. Their presence helped to create a memorable Saturday afternoon. I know that the Westoe Second team really enjoyed their game with the contest dissected at length on the side line of the 1st XV event. It was a pleasure to be the host and we look forward to the return.
A special mention to Westoe Coach Graeme Smith and his wife (Percy Park Mini Chair) Nicola for helping to organise the occasion. We are very appreciative of your efforts. And finally to Stu Ashman for all those years of putting up with Don and on the day having to endure endless TinTin jokes.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15…Paul Spowart, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Thomas Moore, Kieran Sutherland, Ash Smith and Tom Robinson.
From 8…Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Andrew Dunn, Karl Thompson, Michael Langlands, Marc Cook, Adam Hay and Matty Atkinson.
Finishers: Sam Digman, Josh Hedley and Nathan Coxon.