Durham and Northumberland 1
Percy Park RFC 32 v Stockton RFC 0
Lancelot of the line defends decisions as Park go to the wire
Stockton arrived at Preston Avenue with a determination to return to Teeside with points. As their team trudged off the turf and made their journey home, they must have wondered how they came away with a zero. The game was close and went from end to end, a proper game and at the final whistle the faithful would not have begrudged the away side two losing points. At least a score on the board. To achieve neither showcased the ability within an evolving Percy Park side who were resolute in defence, strong in attack (when the move came off!), ruthless in the finish and tenacious in chasing the five-point bonus win. A tenacity that was rewarded with the final play of the day.
The fixture attracted a number of spectators new to the game and an amusing yet pertinent question was asked in this confusing woke world we live in. The question was posed as Northumberland Society referee Rebecca Rees took to the field to adjudicate the fray….” If the ref is a woman do you still call her sir? If so, what happens if the referee identifies with being non binary?” In the asking I directed the asker to our former Captain and current player Michael Langlands in the knowledge that the enquirer would receive a sensible answer!
Lock Josh Hedley started the contest with an almighty clatter on the unfortunate Scott Powell, who had to take to Stockton’s technical area to get his breath back. The tone of the game was set. The hits and tackles were fierce yet it was Stockton who were first to break the stranglehold with a lightening attack toward the West Dene end that nearly resulted in the opening score. Tom Robinson providing the all important try saving tackle in the corner.
Percy Park were fast with the ball and using their pace across the pitch with great effect. Jonny Dubois made a break in the middle. Well supported by the Park forwards, the pack muscled their way to the Stockton line. As the momentum went over the try line Adam Hay was unlucky to be called ‘held up’.
The resulting kick from behind the posts kept the pressure on the away defence. Good combination between Matty Atkinson and Adam Hay caught the Stockton ‘4’ offside. With advantage being played centre Ash Smith lofted a cross kick that was not held. Percy Park returned to the penalty and Smith accepted the points. 3-0 on 13 minutes.
The game was close and entertaining. Percy Park lost a bit of momentum as they seemed determined to run backs move that wasn’t quite coming off. Frustrating for the spectator and drew the comment “All of the sudden the Fujian sevens team has taken to the pitch” to which a quick riposte was heard in broad Tyneside vernacular “Aye without the same f(blank)g result”. Frustrating as it was the home side were moving forward. A well taken line out had the Black and Whites mauling to the line and were unlucky to be held up for a second time. A little ‘argy bargey and after’s’ showed the commitment from both sides. The try was coming. Percy Park were on top.
With Stockton unable to get out their 22, Josh Hedley caught the carrier and with Stockton penalised Hedley went to the tap and drove to the line. Although stopped Park returned to the penalty and decided on the scrum. A pick up at 8 had Michael Langlands on the arc and as the ball was recycled Stockton ran out of the defenders allowing Captain Seb Reece to pick the gap to score. Ruthless stuff. With the try converted 10 nil
Percy Park were unable to make further progress. Their line out work stuttered and the game went to the scrum where both sides were evenly matched. The game went to bulldozing runs and good defence. Park lost Andrew Steinberg to injury to be replaced by Sam Digman. The home side had to defend a 5-metre scrum. Great defence kept Stockton at bay. The resulting kick didn’t make the line and the whistle blew. Mistake made and accepted. Unfortunately, visiting Statler and Waldorf had a lot to say before Lancelot of the Line gallantly defended the referee’s mistake. On with the game and into the half at 10 points to nil.
At the start wing Ross Young was unlucky not to score as he was bundled into touch following Paul Spowart joining the line from full back creating the overlap.The game went as the first with solid defence strong forward runs and big tackles.
Stockton offended and Percy Park elected the scrum. A strong set was awarded with a penalty as Stockton folded across the front row. On this occasion Smith elected to take the points. 13-0
Stockton came back with some aplomb enjoying their moment in the game. Park held but the game was becoming physical. Ash Smith was penalised for not releasing in the tackle. With a fairly easy kick at goal Stockton should have registered their first points. The kick was scuffed and missed. Still the away side kept the pressure.
The home side needed to change it up and the introduction of Robin Houghton at scrum half and Karl Thompson at lock certainly did that. Relishing the physicality, the scrum half took the game back to the away side. The pendulum swung. Breaking from their half Tom Robinson put in the pass of the day flipping the ball to Ross Young. Excited the wing ate the space in front. A covering tackle brought the run to an end.
Houghton was there and the ball moved to the middle where Matty Atkinson broke the line and sprinted into the 22.
Park moved the ball with great effect with Josh Hedley making his presence felt. The ball eventually ending in the grateful hands of Seb Reece who burned the defence to score toward the corner brushing off the covering tackles. The shout came up ‘Awesome boys’…good shout this was superb team try.
The conversion was difficult and bounced off the bar and onto the wrong side for the home team.18 nil
Stockton pressed but couldn’t breach the home defence. They made brave decisions to get back in the game spurning kickable penalties for line outs. One such moment had a Leo Caulfield break brought to the ground by a despairing tap tackle
yet Park kept the ball moving with Tom Robinson joining the line from full back exploiting the broken defence to score under the posts. Conversion taken.25 nil
The game was beginning to go to the wire and Park were chasing the bonus points. Strong forward runs and bullet passes were running Stockton ragged and as they tired Percy Park breached the line almost on the whistle. Josh Hedley (who enjoyed a great game) entered and broke the line on the arc.
Ross Young hunting the ball received the offload and was under the posts.
Great skill from both players. Conversion taken 32-0…whistle blown Stockton looked dejected and Park were jubilant. Mind you our Club President was convinced by those around that the scoring of the try was going to the ’video ref’ before being given…. Surely it must have been the Bacardi???
Five well deserved points to the home side. They worked the game out and found away to get the points to keep the pressure on Northern RFC who remain top of the league.
Representing Percy Park:
From 8: Michael Langlands, Leo Caulfield, Jonny Dubois, Josh Hedley, Andrew Clyde, Andrew Steinberg, Adam Hay and Matty Atkinson.
From 15: Paul Spowart, Howard Stock,Seb Reece, Ash Smith,Ross Young, Andrew Walker and Tom Robinson.
Finishers: Robin Houghton, Karl Thompson and Sam Digman