NORTH 1 EAST
PERCY PARK 30 - 20 DRIFFIELD
Continuing their improving performance, Park were 30 – 25 winners against Driffield courtesy of a brace of tries by Guy Pike, a first try for Eddie Saint and a flawless kicking display by Man of the Match Michael Groves.
There were a few changes again with Davy Kay and Josh Hedley unavailable, which saw Jimmy Baldwin come in at scrum half and Michael Langlands partnering Eddie Saint in the boiler room. Wings Rich Berne and Toby Davison both returned from injury.
Park started with purpose and immediately had Driffield on the back foot. Penalties in the first 10 minutes allowed Michael Groves to kick Park into a 6 – 0 lead before the visitors came back. A lapse in the home side defence allowed centre Chris Sadler through and he found wing Gary Stephenson who scored close to the posts to assist the conversion by Will Brigham, and the Woldsmen led 7 – 6.
Percy Park struck back immediately with a break down the right wing, after Jimmy Baldwin took a quick tap from a free kick to set the back line loose. Toby Davison showed his pace beating a couple of players before passing back to Guy Pike who raced to the line and scored in exuberant fashion. Michael Grove kicked the extras to take Park ahead 13 -7.
Driffield scored from a penalty kick by Brigham and then went ahead with a 35th minute try by openside Henry Forbes after the Yorkshire side had driven a maul from a line out just outside the Park 22.
With the half coming to a close Michael Grove kicked a 40th minute penalty to put Park ahead 16 – 15 at the break.
Percy Park kicked off the second half and a great solo effort by Guy Pike after the referee Craig Wrightson allowed a good advantage saw the Park centre burst through tackles by several players in blue and white and crossed under the posts, and with the Grove conversion Park were now 23 – 15 in front.
Driffield kept in touch with their third try of the game as loose-head Felix Nellen barged his way over for the score. The young prop had proved a handful all game. Fortunately for Park Brigham hadn’t brought his kicking boots and the hosts stayed 23 – 20 in front.
Percy Park lengthened the lead when Craig Smith carried the ball well and offloaded to second row Eddie Saint who brushed aside the Driffield full back to score and Michael Grove converted to bring up the 30 points.
The home side then had a couple of golden opportunities to secure the bonus point for the fourth try, first of all with Jimmy Baldwin running 40 metres to get close to the visitors try line. Rather than back himself he passed but somehow the ball was fumbled and the scoring opportunity was lost.
With Driffield under the cosh for a spell Park could have scored from a rolling maul that was brought down inside the 22. They regrouped and drove again but Driffield’s defence held firm and a turnover eased the pressure on their line.
With 80 minutes on the clock and with Percy Park 30 – 20 ahead, surely they wouldn’t relinquish the lead as they had done against Northern and Morpeth in 2 previous games.
When hooker Guy Brumfield scored in the 83rd minute to give his side a bonus point and bringing the game score to 30 – 25, there were a few nervous moments. A kick off that didn’t go 10 metres put Park on the back foot and Driffield pressed in the dying minutes of the game. Park defended resolutely and the final whistle came as the visitors knocked on close to Park’s line and the ball was kicked dead to the relief of players and supporters alike.
This was a good win for Park against a side a place higher in the league. Next week sees Park in cup action against Tynedale Raiders. With Tynedale’s flood affected facilities out of commission, the game is likely to take place at Druid or Kingston Park, with the kick off time still to be decided.