NORTHERN 37 - 44 PERCY PARK
Percy Park took a squad of 35 players to McCracken Park to play a new look Northern in a training game before the season proper begins on 5th September. Both sides had a mix of 1st XV, 2nd's 3rds and Colts, and the game was played over 4 sessions of 30 minutes each.
Both clubs started with strong teams for the first period, and inside ten minutes Northern were up 17 - 0 from a combination of good back play and some inept tackling by the visitors. To show how much the game meant to the home side they opted to kick a penalty to take the lead to 17 points after two converted tries.
Park scored at the end of the first session through a catch and drive from a lineout on the 5 metre line, with skipper Brett Sylph touching down.
In the second spell, both sides introduced some fresh players, and Park scored through Adam Fidler after a good run by Marcus Rutter. The Park full back found the young open side flanker on his shoulder to take an inside pass to beat the last defender. Rutter converted.
Northern scored an unconverted try and then kicked another penalty to keep the score board ticking over and were leading 25 - 12 before Michael Langlands finished off a move started by Simon Greetham and with Rutter's conversion Park trailed 25 - 19 and the end of the half.
In the third period Percy Park inroduced several of their Academy players and the youngsters played with passion and commitment and scored tries through James McFarlane (Pie), Ash Smith and Paul Spowart, and although the game was more about both sets of coaches looking at new players and combinations, Park had overturned the Northern lead and were winning 25 - 34.
With both teams fielding their strongest sides in the last period, it was Park who scored again through another try by Brett Sylph from a line out. Northern hit back with two tries before Andy Dunn finished off a good alround display by scoring on the final whistle, and the game ended 37 - 44. Thanks must go to referee Fraser Gill who manfully refereed for over 2 hours in the heat, and controlled the game well also keeping both sides up to speed with some of the law variations.
Park travel to Sedgely Park next week for another training game looking to make some adjustments and fine tuning before the league starts. Northern on this display look to be one of the favourites to top Durham & Northumberland 1, with a large pack and pacey, skillfull backs.