Durham and Northumberland 1
Percy Park RFC 66 v Aspatria RFC 7
Percy Park RFC 124 v Acklam RUFC 5
Points amassed are the Tale of two games
One hundred and Ninety points to twelve against over 160 minutes of Rugby is a headline in itself and it’s easy to get carried away in the differential. What we love about our team is that they are ruthless in the execution yet magnanimous in the victory. For the observing faithful it appears as if we have finally learnt to play to our game to the '80' and not fall into the trap of dropping the level of performance. Many of our players grew up with T.T.B and that concept is being put into practice with some aplomb. They have also learnt to be benevolent in victory. Both Aspatria and Acklam travelled light with the Acklam coach knocking on doors on Saturday morning to get players out to play. Many having just played the night before in an over 35’s game. Both teams fulfilled the fixture when others might have made an excuse…they have our respect and thanks. It is what the game is all about and that spirit was rewarded as our players showed great hospitality with many a handshake and the sharing of copious amounts of beverage. Both visiting teams departed Preston Avenue knowing they had been well looked after and acknowledged that our Percy Park team has a little bit of ‘elan’ and 'panache' these days. A style that should hold well in the new Level 6 leagues next season. They wished us well. Promotion is assured; yet the title is not. As we enter the home straight we need to embrace the ruthless and make sure we don’t stumble at the last.
The game against Aspatria started with a roar as Ross Young flew through the defence deep into the 22. The forwards providing the platform for the backs to probe and harry. Penalty against and Park went to the line out. A catch and drive and Park were over for the score. The try took minutes in comparison it took 25 seconds for Park to register their first score against Acklam with Seb Reece providing the finish to an explosive start.
Aspatria responded well with some strong incursions into Park territory. Acklam did not. After 2 minutes Tom Moore was over followed by Paul Spowart after 8. Aspatria held out but were undone as the Park forwards drove into the 22 allowing scrum half Tom Robinson to set Tom Moore on the arc to deliver the scoring pass to wing Kieran Sutherland. Acklam imploded with Seb Reece giving Percy Park the bonus after 9 minutes. On the 12 Percy Park were 14 nil up against Aspatria and 28 nil to the good against Acklam. Heady stuff.
The Aspatria game became competitive. The Cumbrian forwards were making a nuisance of themselves with some strong forays. A misplaced pass failed to go to hand. They could have been in. Percy Park were missing opportunities. A marginal forward pass brought Leo Caulfield back and a dropped ball in the tackle prevented Howard Stock from scoring. Acklam didn’t receive that kind of fortune as everything Park did resulted in a score. Next over was Matty Atkinson, a strip and a 60 yard carry (more like 4 but it was defo 60 in the bar afterwards). Tom Robinson quickly followed with a darting run, closely followed by Seb Reece on the interception. 49 nil in the blink of an eye. After 27 minutes Tom Moore had scored to take Percy Park over the 50. Whereas Acklam were at sea Aspatria were putting up a fight.
Aspatria were dogged on their line and as Park harried hooker Adam Hay was adjudged to be held up on a catch and drive. Stern words from the referee as Adam protested he had the ball well tucked under. He had a point but so did the ref. He didn’t see it. Aspatria went to the clearance from behind the posts scooting the ball into the welcoming black and white arms. A deft pass saw Howard Stock collect and outstrip the defence for the try. Conversion was missed 19 nil with 12 left in the half. Aspatria were playing well. Parity in the scrum and a useful lineout were allowing them a platform. Steady progress up the field was being made. An Aspatria line out just outside the 22 looked promising until Jake Smith was flung up and with a fingertip flip the ball was back in Park hands and the resulting counter attack was breathless. Ross Young entered the back line offering the extra man. He wriggled free and with Seb Reese on hand to finish we went from throw to score in a flash. Great try.26 nil at half time.
The position Acklam found themselves in was not as kind. As the half approached Percy Park rang the changes. Introducing Cam Young at scrum half (proud day for his Dad Alan who was a fine adversary when he played at Northern), Sam Leeds on the flank and Michael Birkett back into the front row. The changes didn’t affect the rate of scoring as Tom Robinson and then Adam Hay notched. 68 nil at the turnaround and Acklam were wondering what the second half punishment could be.
They didn’t have long to wait as Seb Reece benefitted from a Ross Young surge. Got to be there to finish! 75 nil. Tom Robinson was at it again this time from our 22. 82 nil. Tom Moore pushed it on to 89 nil and the referee went to the Acklam coach. A collective refusal to call the game was made by coach and player alike. They wouldn’t give in and as they did so the Faithful responded wishing them a score. A quality tackle from the Acklam 17 revived spirits and they competed. The scoring continued but the Acklam team would not let their heads go down. From a good scrum Howard Stock was in followed by Tom Moore and another from Seb Reece benefitting from fine work from Ross Young. 110 to nil.
As Acklam were conceding Aspatria were ruthlessly dispatched in the second period of their game with the hosts.
Aspatria started well with their big lock forward making ground at the side of a ruck. Poorly defended he went on the inside and used his bulk to score. An easy conversion took the score to 26-7. And that was the only time Aspatria got close to adding to that score.
Park were immediate in the response. Kicking to Aspatria they collected man and ball and drove down into the 22. The Aspatria centre was caught offside and with advantage Adam Hay and Matty Atkinson hammered the line dragging in defenders, Tom Robinson seeing the space went wide for Leo Caulfield to fend off the defenders attentions to score a good try. The kick off gave the ball to Park. Fine work from Jake Smith and we were off on the right side to score under the posts. Lightning fast. The beneficiary being…you guessed it Captain Seb Reece. Got to be there to finish it! Again from the kick off Park received and from scrappy ball Seb Reece ran the length of the pitch to score another. A fine solo try that showed strength and pace. The touch down good despite the attentions of the covering player. Ash Smith was slotting the conversions. 47-7.
What Seb could do against Aspatria forward Karl Thompson could do against Acklam! With scrappy ball the player collected and punching through the line found himself in space. A collective shout from the crowd and the player finding himself in unusual and unchartered waters sprinted to the line. He was roared on by the crowd. Showing good pace Karl Thompson touched down to rousing acclaim. What Seb could do Karl could do better. At least a friendly discussion in the bar could be had. Karl’s try was followed up by a great chip and catch from Ash Smith. 124 points to nil.
Stung the Acklam forwards muscled into Park and Leo Caulfield drew a yellow. With a man advantage, time running out and with the Park faithful willing them over, Acklam found the space and the want to go over for a try. Unfortunately the conversion was missed and the game ended at 124 points to 5 and our players taking their Teeside combatants across to the beer trailer for a pint or two.
The Acklam game ended with a score for the visitors Aspatria weren’t so well blessed. Park were ruthless and kept their ‘foot on the pedal’. From a dodgy (Aspatria) line out they tried to go down the line. Some poor passing was quickly taken by Seb Reece who intercepted and took off. Try scored. Conversion taken. From the kick off, a strange and harsh call gave Aspatria a penalty, when it looked as if Leo Caulfield had been cleaned out in the air. Park penalised for changing their line as they ran back to cover the receiver. From the resulting scrum Aspatria made headway and Park held out. A Mark Barry steal gave us momentum and a clearance up the pitch was harassed by Howard Stock. A counter ruck gave possession. Only a tap tackle preventing a score.
A Jake Smith clear out allowed the pass to Adam Hay who in turn slipped the pass to the supporting Matty Atkinson. The player neatly bypassing all to score near to the posts. The conversion was missed. The lack of the penalty following the midair Caulfield take was causing Percy Park some consternation. That dismay turned into Park’s favour as they seemed to have gained an extra yard. Aggressive play broke the line and Ash Smith ripped through onto a 2 v 1 dragging the defending player right Smith passed left and found the supporting Paul Spowart Paulcrossing with a flourish for the final score of the day. 66-7 the result.
Four games remain in the race for the title, Next week we are away to Hartlepool Rovers, followed by the final home game of the season against Horden and Peterlee. Northern are still in the frame and with the Westoe game still on the ‘TBA’ it could be that the ‘clincher’ is a game away against Ponteland. Hold tight there is a lot still to play for!
Mind even with the joy there are still some who are hard to please. I guess we will just have to try harder
Representing Percy Park RFC v Aspatria:
From 15: Paul Spowart, Kieran Sutherland, Seb Reece, Howard Stock, Ross Young, Ash Smith and Tom Robinson
From8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Andrew Dunn, Mark Barry, Karl Thompson, Matty Atkinson, Adam Hay and Sam Digman
Finishers: Andrew Steinberg, Ollie Stephenson and Thomas Moore.
Representing Percy Park RFC v Acklam:
From 15: Paul Spowart, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Thomas Moore, Ross Young, Ash Smith and Tom Robinson
From8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Andrew Dunn, Mark Barry, Karl Thompson, Andrew Steinberg, Adam Hay and Matty Atkinson
Finishers: Michael Birkett, Sam Leeds and Cameron Young.