PERCY PARK 20 – 17 BEVERLEY
A 75th minute penalty by Toby Davison secured Park’s first win of the season in a close encounter against a determined Beverley side. Percy Park went into a 14 point lead half way through the first period when 2 converted tries in quick succession put the visitors on the back foot.
18 year old blind side flanker Liam Scott scored his debut try after Park were awarded a penalty close to the Beverley line. A quick tap by number 8 James Ponton maintained momentum and although he was stopped short the recycled ball found Liam who crashed over for the try which was converted by Toby Davison. Park’s back row played well throughout the game with openside Stu Cannon being awarded man of the match.
From the re-start Beverley kicked deep and Park cleared to touch stealing the resulting line out ball which was hoofed deep into the visitors 22. Beverley ever adventurous in attack chose to run the ball out of defence, but good chasing up by Guy Pike stopped any progress and he was on hand to pick up the ball which spilled loose and darted in 20 metres for the score. Toby Davison kicked the conversion for 14 – 0.
Percy Park had more of the first half play, and signs looked ominous for the travelling team when they were down to 14 players with a man in the bin for persistent offending. Sadly Park couldn’t capitalise on a string of penalties, missing four attempts at goal, which if converted would have put the home side out of sight. Beverley held out until the break as Park led 14 – 0.
In the second half Beverley scored with a fine run by right wing Lee Birch who beat several players to score, converting his own try. Birch seems to relish playing Park, as he had previously scored a number of tries whilst playing for Driffield, but this was his first against Park for his current club.
Percy Park were made to defend for long periods of the second half, and they too lost a player to the sin bin, when Austin Phillips was yellow carded for handling in a ruck in his own 22. Birch kicked the penalty to narrow the gap 14 -10. Davison was back on track with his kicking and slotted a penalty to give Park back their 7 point lead.
Beverley continued to attack as Park soaked up the pressure but a wayward clearance kick out of defence was run back by the visitors, and despite suspicions of a forward pass, the Beavers captain Junior Tupii ran in a try under the posts, with Birch converting to tie the scores 17 - 17.
In truth either side could have won this game, but it was Percy Park who edged it with another penalty from the boot of Toby Davison. This was another improvement from the previous week which was also an improvement from the first league game. Park’s young side seem to be gelling, as they travel to Billingham next week.
PERCY PARK LIONS 20 – BLAYDON GEORGIANS 21
Although Blaydon started better, Park should have won this game, with coach Jobson, being bitterly disappointed as his side were denied a try towards the end of the game which would have given the Lions a bonus point win. Instead they had to settle for a losing bonus point.
There were 2 tries from Sean Williamson and one from Ryan Wilson, with Connor Tubman kicking a penalty and one conversion. Park also had a chance to win by a point with a conversion which went wide leaving the visitors the savour the victory.
SUNDERLAND II 14 – 17 PERCY PARK PUMAS
The Pumas stay top of the league with this win against Sunderland 2nd XV. Two tries from Stephen Baskerville and another by David Parfitt secured the win.