Regional 2 North
Miller super show dampened as yellow proves costly
Middlesbrough RFC 28 v Percy Park RFC 22
Percy Park travelled to Green Lane on an auspicious day for the home side. Acklam Park was teeming with supporters, ex-players, elected council figures and other well to do’s as Middlesbrough celebrated their 150th anniversary of their first game against Northumberland RFU on 12th November 1872. Also present were two of their British Lions, Alan Old and Rory Underwood, there to raise a commemorative flag. The day had atmosphere, a touch of rare anticipation and sunshine. We even had Mark Carr on the touchline to add his dulcet tones to the noise as the players entered the green. It was building nicely to an eagerly awaited contest.
Percy Park started the brighter of the two sides as the visitors played into the sun. An Andrew Walker intercept looked promising before a very good tackle closed the gate. A kick ahead by wing Sam McDonald had the away support on its feet before a scrambled defence brought the game to the scrum. As the ball went in, Middlesbrough went backwards, and the first penalty of the day went to the black and whites. A very good start.
Coach Ash Smith made his way to the stand side offering support to Charley Miller as he orchestrated backs and forwards alike. ‘Trust’ was the word used and with the encouragement the player grew and blossomed into the game.
Michael Langlands and Chris Reekie carried well, taking their team deep into Middlesbrough territory. A ‘take’ from a line out and ‘carry’ drew the penalty advantage as Middlesbrough folded into disarray. Percy Park showing their edge as Jonny Dubois crossed the line to score the first try of the game. A Paul Spowart conversion was true as he ‘hit the fade’. 7 points to nil and Park looking good.
Talk abounded on which of our players looked like the nanny off Count Duckula. Having never seen in the film, an assist by google aided the identification. All were in buoyant mood and that disposition got louder as the kick off went straight out of play. The resulting scrum saw Leo Caulfield peel off and attack. The player identifying that the home side were playing wide and flat (not wholly sure of that, but for dramatic effect we shall keep that part of the narrative in). A short pass to Charley Miller had Park advancing to a kickable penalty. Unfortunately Paul Spowart was unable to add to the score as the ball failed to get to the ‘fade’.
Middlesbrough started to settle. Where we had the advantage upfront the ‘boro backs’ were seen to be a useful outfit. Ash Smith was still prowling and as fly half Toby Davison ‘kicked open’ a rare bullocking was heard. The player failing to comprehend the meaning of a one night stand. With message received, we played in the zones. All the home side could do was kick the ball back, looking to get behind. Kick and then chase the ball in space appeared to be a chosen tactic. Their striker runner looked really dangerous and they were desperately trying to get the player into the game.
Andrew Walker drifted offside and although Middlesbrough went with the advantage they were unable to break through a robust Park defence. Returning to the penalty they elected to go for posts. Fortunately the ball was struck across the face. The game see-sawed. Jake Chalklen and Charley Miller were having a right old tussle for ‘9’ dominance. A clever box kick saw Miller challenged taking the ball in the air with some aplomb.(see headline photo)
The boro weren’t enjoying the set piece. Josh Hedley was taking most of their ball. The home side needed a break and it came from our own indiscipline. For the first time in the game Middlesbrough took the scrum. Penalty went to the corner. Although Josh Hedley took the line out, we were adjudged ‘not to be ten’. The penalty was near enough in front and easily taken.
As Middlesbrough gathered the restart, Sam McDonald took an intercept as the home side tried to work the ball to their left. It was a poor pass from their 15 and a gift to our speedy winger who made no mistake with the score. Spowart converting .14 to 3.
The game became a furious affair. Jonny Dubois and Charley Miller put in some hefty tackles as Percy Park kept the home side camped in their own half. They couldn’t clear their lines. We put ‘the ball up the jumper’ and trundled and drove to the line. Marshalled by Miller, Percy Park crossed the line with Middlesbrough bodies lying underneath. The referee confirming the ‘held up’. Boro held the scrum and played out. An outstanding tackle from debutant Mikey Fisher brought the knock on and kept the visitors in the driving seat until a very, very good box kick from Jake Chalklen took the steam out of the Park attack.
We looked comfortable as Middlesbrough made a rare raid into our half. Their frustration boiling over as the home sides centre had an off the ball swat at Sam McDonald. Then we made a complete mess of the defensive play. First Toby Davison dropped the ball and then young McDonald should have cleared. Fortunately no harm came as Chris Reekie took us out of trouble or so we thought. Holding onto the ball when we should have passed had Park peddling backwards. From a scrum, a twist and wheel, brought an eight pickup and a drive to undefended space. As we got across Middlesbrough held the ball to the line before crossing to score. Fortunately the conversion was missed. The half time whistle blew and from a deserved 11 point lead we found ourselves pegged back to a six point margin. 8 points to 14. Park ahead at the turn.
Our first kick of the half went deep into their 22. Boro collected and worked the ball up field. Creating a three man overload they ripped into our back division and with some really smart off loads they managed to score in the corner. Sometimes you have to acknowledge exceptional play and that was a really good try. Conversion taken. Middlesbrough ahead by 1.
And it got better for the home side. Despite Chris Reekies efforts to keep the ball away from their backs. One exceptional tackle was done with power and grace as the folding player was gently put to the floor. As one wag was heard to say ‘it was like putting a baby to sleep’. Yet Middlesbrough kept possession and their backs ripped into us once more. With space they were lethal. We were struggling. A quick penalty from their ‘10’ worked the ball to their left and into space. Then it was all about pace and skill with the pass. The offloads were sublime. Try scored. Applause from home and away support alike. Conversion taken and we were behind at 22 points to 14.
Momentum is key and Middlesbrough were in the frame as our back unit looked shell shocked. We needed to come back to the forwards and put the ball up the jumper. Charley Miller kept the ball in and as a consequence we managed to take the sting out of their momentum. Quietening the home support. Keeping the ball tight Andrew Walker put in an intelligent grubber kick to the corner, with our forwards engaged we got the ‘knock on’. Scrum won we remained in their 22. The game went to the line out and from a well-organised ‘catch and drive’, Leo Caulfield peeled off to score a good try. With Paul Spowart converting we were back in the game at 22 points to 21.
Percy Park stayed with the forwards. Jake Smith was relishing the combat. Niall Combe entered the fray and Percy Park kept Middlesbrough contained. Instructions were passed onto the field for the benefit of Aaron Smith. The response from a team mate was…well judge for yourself ‘’Aaron who?’’ to which the reply was ‘There’s only one Aaron on the field mate!’’.
Percy Park began to make the changes. Jonny Dubois going to tight head as Adam Hay slipped in at hooker. Charley Miller continued to dictate moving his team left and right, keeping the Middlesbrough defence split. The game was hard fought. Toby Davison took a good hit and Josh Hedley was given a warning for a marginally late, albeit committed, tackle on Jake Chalklen. The scrum half getting the ball away moments before being bull dozed. Michael Langlands carried into the heart of the midfield. Park were doing well keeping Middlesbrough on the back foot something they couldn’t maintain. Penalty given and Percy Park regained the lead .The game drew to its final quarter. 22 to 24.
Leo Caulfield took the restart and a kick down field deep to the left resulted in the Middlesbrough 15 fumbling the ball. Back in ‘home’ territory Park looked to ‘kick on’. A suicidal pass saw Paul Spowart clattered with an audible ‘Ouch’. Provoking another comment of going in hard and coming off second best. Adam Hay was putting in a good shift. Charley Miller went toe to toe with Jake Chalklen as they had a ‘tug and a pull’ at the side of the scrum. Neither player giving an inch. It was a good game to watch and all who were watching were enjoying the contest.
And then it went ‘a tad’ astray for the away side. Percy Park offended by being ‘not 10’. Middlesbrough took the penalty with a good kick down the line. We took their ball and played out, with Toby Davison kicking the ball down the middle of the field. The chasing referee missed the knock on and from the resulting ruck Josh Hedley commits to a tackle and arrives, again marginally, late. This time there was no reprieve and a yellow card was brandished. No arguments from the player or supporters.
Less than 10 minutes left to play. Percy Park had to see the game out with 14.
The penalty again went to the line. This time the line out went with the thrower. Although we held out the pressure was intense. Enough to ensure we couldn’t get back on side. Middlesbrough electing to take the penalty. 25 to 24.
A good restart wasn’t gathered by the away side. A near miss by Sam McDonald. Their 12 broke through an attempted tackle by Andrew Walker, although Sam McDonald got across, Middlesbrough had forward momentum. Dan Jackson stopped proceedings but we were, once again, caught offside. Middlesbrough took the points with an easy kick in front. 28 to 24 with four minutes to go.
We attempted to play out. Toby Davison did well with a strong run away from our posts. Although isolated he hold on. We had possession but couldn’t get out of our half. We moved the ball to the wing and Niall Combe attacked the outside with pace. Space opened up as he attacked the half way line. Covering players knocked the player and the ball out of his stride and hands. Knock on.
The scrum ate the time and the call to last play. Scrum won and with the ball booted high above the home stand Middlesbrough carried the day.
Overall a good performance from Percy Park. Our younger players are looking stronger for the game experience and time on the pitch. Charley Miller had a great game. As our injured players return we will reverse recent results. What cannot be ignored is that we have some very good young players coming through. Players who are eager for that first team shirt.