NORTH 1 EAST
PERCY PARK 55 – 15 HORDEN
Percy Park ran in 4 tries in each half to come away with a bonus point win at the expense of league new comers Horden. The visitors were Champions of Durham & Northumberland 1 last season, but are finding the step up to level 6 difficult and prop up the table having lost several players in the close season, and also picking up injuries to key players in the first 3 league games of season 2014/15.
Park were on the score board inside 4 minutes when after a couple of phases of play Ash Smith carved his way through the Horden defence and offloaded to Ali Blair who stepped full back David Heckles to score under the posts. Smith converted and Park were in front 7 – 0.
The Horden pack was it’s usually large framed, but Park disrupted ant decent scrummage ball they could secure and their line-out didn’t function too well, so they had to live off scraps of possession. On 8 minutes when Park were penalised for entering a ruck from the side, Heckles stepped up and slotted the penalty to reduce the arrears 7 – 3.
Within 3 minutes Ali Blair had scored his second once again stepping the flat footed defence and Ash Smith converted. A minute later however, the visitors struck back with a try on the right wing as Cameron Stables rounded his opposite number to score in the corner. The conversion was missed and the score remained 14 – 8.
Percy Park’s back line were running the ball from all points of the field, and in a counter attack Alex Tilley charged up the left wing taking 2 defenders to stop him in the Horden 22. The ball was recycled and Ash Smith crossed the line for the first of his 3 tries in the game, also notching a personal tally of 30 points.
Park lost Guy Pike to injury so Martin Shaw moved into the centre having come into the squad at the 11th hour due to injury and illness. The veteran was soon into his stride and scored a well earned try after starting a move and setting Ali Blair away up the pitch. The centre pairing combined again as a well timed offload found Shawsy in space to score under the posts to ease the conversion by Smith. Park now led 28 – 8 with a bonus point in the bag after on 28 minutes.
With half time approaching Park opted for a kickable penalty to stretch the lead, but just before the break Horden capitalised on some loose line out ball in the Park 22. The ball was shipped back across the Park try line and a knock on allowed Horden to play the advantage and touch down. The conversion took the score to 31 – 15 at half time.
It took the hosts 10 minutes into the second period to add to the score, when they drove the Horden pack off the ball and Ben Bell picked up and drove for the line. He was stopped short but Ash Smith was on hand for try number 2.
Bell then scored a try of his own finishing off several phases of play for a 43 – 15 lead.
Although Horden always looked committed to the cause there were gaps in their defence which were exploited particularly in the 10 and 12 channel and Ash Smith exploited such a gap after Park looked to have been in command of a catch and drive which was stopped short of the visitor’s line.
The home side were now well in command and at 48 – 15 with still 15 minutes to go, things looked ominous for Horden. They dug deep and kept Park out for 10 minutes before Ben Bell crossed for his second try and Ash Smith converted. There were no more scores and the game ended 55 – 15.
Next week Park travel to Alnwick.
Candy League Division 1
Horden II 19 – 65 Percy Park Lions
A youthful Lions squad travelled to Horden and came away with a bonus point league win. The team have a home league tie next Saturday as they take on Alnwick II.
Percy Park Penguins 45 – 28 Harlequin Amateurs
Percy Park’s veteran side took on Harlequin Amateurs who were on tour for the weekend. Many of the Park side were 1st XV players of yester-year and played on the adjacent pitch to the Academy who will hope to be 1st teamers of the future. They took on Wigton and won 24 – 15.