Durham and Northumberland 1
Medicals RFC 15 V Percy Park RFC 53
Power of Jones ensures Langlands rises to score
Club stalwart Michael Langlands owed much to Percy Park’s physio Caroline Jones as she administered healing powers to an ankle injury that had all, including the player, believing his afternoon ‘was done’. The magic touch had the Lazarus effect as the player rose and returned to the fray. The restoration of life was significant as the player scored a fine solo try that effectively took the game beyond a stubborn Medicals side. Langlands try was a moment within a small number of exceptional moments that brightened an otherwise sober afternoon. The game never really took off. Penalties littered the fray and the stop start nature of the contest hampered the fluidity of movement that Park enjoy. That coupled with a small pitch ensured Percy Park never got out of second gear. Despite the tame appearance the side delivered a bonus point win and are 8 points ahead of the chasing pack. And to that end the usually spoilt supporter cannot overly complain.
The first 15 to 20 minutes of this tussle was all about the Medics defence and a Medics try. Percy Park had selected a robust front row and were dominating in the scrum and line out. Quality defending from Medics ensured the dominance did not reflect into points. And that character had its reward when their first venture into Park territory resulted in a well worked driving maul down a lightly defended channel. Try converted 7-0 to the home side.
It didn’t take long for Park to respond and we got our first moment. Medics defended high leaving space behind. A deft chip from Ash Smith had the line turned and scoop from Ollie Stephenson had him over for the try. 7-7.
Percy Park forwards started to dominate. Marc Cook emerged and delivered the ball to Tom Robinson at scrum half. After that it was goodnight. 7-14
Penalties blighted the game. It was akin to a teenager’s messy bedroom. In from the side and holding on were the culprits. Medicals kicking one.10-14. Park kicking one 10-17.
On the 30 Park began to rotate as the bench got minutes in the legs. No change to the score 10-14 at the turn.
At the rest Percy Park were handed a penalty kick. A fine over took the score to 10-20. Then we had Lazarus. I believe it was a follow through that caused the impact to the ankle. Either way the player departed dragging said limb behind motioning to all that his afternoon was done. Emerging like a ray of sunshine on a dark clouded afternoon (I’m hoping you are getting the imagery here!) the team physio bounded across the pitch. The magic touch and the application of a bandage had the player walking to the bench.
The game continued as the first only the culprit this time was ‘going in off the feet’. After a 10 minute respite Langlands returned and found himself in the wide channel. Breaking the line he set off in a sprint quicker than than the younger chasing Medics team to score a fine try in the corner. A difficult kick was taken out wide. 10-27.As Lazarus rose to inspire others to follow, the try and conversion inspired further scores for a team that began to find their scoring touch.
A Leo Caulfield rip allowed possession at real pace saw good hands to put Ross Young in at the corner. 10-32. A little hiccup saw centre Thomas Moore given a 10 minute warning for a deliberate knock on. It wasn’t really deliberate but had to be given. A cross kick and a wicked bounce had Ross Young beat (and wishing he had a couple of extra inches!) and the Medicals wing in for a score. The conversion rattled the post but got no cigar.15-32.
Langlands was at it again.15-39. Park rotated the bench. And then the moment that really did light up the afternoon. Jake Smith gave a offload assist to Tom Robinson who stepped, outpaced and stepped again a flailing defense to score an outstanding individual try. Conversion taken 15-46.
Medicals were beginning to fall off the pace and injuries were taking their toll. Parks dominance in the scrum was hurting for player and team resulting in Medics prop being taken off and the game to the uncontested. No advantage there as the big Park forwards smashed their way up the middle just short of the line. A little set back and MOM Tom Robinson was on hand to touch down. Conversion taken 15-53. Bonus points and seven tries.
Percy Park’s home grown players generated a lot of talk in the bar that had an official waxing lyrical on Tom Robinson’s performance. The reference was to allotments and how young Robinson’s seed is beginning to germinate. All I can say is that once said it provided a great light moment of hilarity. Former president Phil Martin found the humour so exhausting that he decided to have a deep sleep later on in the evening…that combined with a tiring participating performance of the music man on the Metro ride home. Next game Rockcliff at home” oomp-pa-oomp-pa-ooomp-pa-paaaa, oomp-pa-paaaa, oomp-pa-paaa; oomp-pa-oomp-pa-oomp-pa-paaaa, oomp-pa-oomp-pa-pa”.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15: Paul Spowart, Nathan Coxon, Ollie Stephenson, Thomas Moore, Ross Alexander Young, Ash Smith, and Tom Robinson.
From 8: Michael Langlands, Jake Smith, Leo Caulfield, Andrew Clyde, Sam Digman, Marc Cook, Matty Atkinson and Andrew Steinberg.
Finishers: Sean Williamson, Michael Birkett and Howard Stock.