Candy Saucer Cup
Northern RFC Wanderers 18 v Percy Park RFC Lions 29
Nearly a Cracker at McCracker Park
Percy Park Lions faced stiff opposition in the shape of an experienced Northern Wanderers side, coming on top in a gritty and entertaining encounter at McCracken Park. As usual the Lions were slow to start and Northern dominated the opening minutes. Park were pinged for a high tackle in front of the posts which was duly converted 3-0 to the home side.
From the kick off Percy Park’s shape was poor; what good ball the Lions had was kicked away with limited chase. The poor tactical kicking gave the opposition clean ball. Northern used the ‘gift’ to run wide to the outside channel. A tactic that had Percy Park scrambling. And in that early showing lay the answer to winning the game. Aware of Northern’s strength the call came from the bench to play direct and the ship steadied. And in the doing the contest came alive.
Percy Park went to the forwards and hit up the pitch before releasing the back line. Territory was gained and the game was played in the Northern half. On 20 minutes the Northern defence got sucked in and Matty Atkinson taking an aggressive line barged through to score. Using ‘the long reach’ the player was able to touch down over the line. 3-5 Lions.
With the game in the forwards Northern were on the back foot then a speculative kick through caught out right wing Ollie Ellis and the opposition winger gratefully scooped up the ball and crossed 8-5 Northern. Aggrieved Percy Park responded as Leo Caulfield (on for Richie Berne who injured an aging knee) created space for Andrew Walker to cross in the left hand corner. 8-10 to Park.
The half ticked away. When Percy Park went direct and went through the phases they looked good. Park won a penalty in front of the posts, the decision was to go for the corner and after a couple of plays Josh Hedley twisted and turned and crossed the line, converted by Paul Spowart. 8-17 to Park.
On 45 minutes enforced changes saw Steve Turner drop into the fly half spot as Andrew Walker took an unfortunate dead in contact. It was a shame for the player. Assisted by Howard Stock to his outside Percy Park looked to be in control. The bench did not need to worry for as soon as the change had been made Steven Turner hit the afterburners and glided through the Northern defence. A great try.
Paul Spowart converted. Score 8-24 to Percy Park, surely game over? Not yet!
For the next 9 or 10 minutes saw Percy Park implode. Park for some reason stopped playing direct and started to play a loose game and in the doing allowed Northern back into the contest. With the ball away from the forwards Northern went to the outside channel. They gained territory and as a consequence scored two quick tries which put the game ‘right in the balance’. At 18-24 Northern on top this could have gone either way. The tension was as thick as the week’s earlier fog!
Harsh words under the posts did the trick. With Captain Jonny Dubois leading from the front, Percy Park put in some big hitsand back to the 'direct'. The impetus swung back to the visitors as attack and defence connected. The game remained in the trenches and it was an interesting watch. Our scrum was good. Ground was contested and yards stolen.
Finally on the 70 mark, skipper for the day, Jonny Dubois crossed the line in a great team effort that saw the ball moved from inside the Percy Park half to pressure on the line. An area of the field the Park forwards enjoyed. 'The Saint' revelled in the leaping contests 18-29 and that's how it ended.
Whilst never at their ‘connected’ best the Lions were really tested by Northern in every department and came out the other side. Another big win which sees only one defeat pre Xmas. Whilst the team changes every week through availability, the solidarity remains strong with a group of players who will give their all for the ‘black and white’. A special mention and best wishes to all who found themselves unable to travel due to feeling ‘under the weather’. We know it’s difficult to pick up that phone and you will feel as if you have let people down however, in ‘this’ time, it really is better for all to be safe to fight another day.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15:Dan Jackson, Ollie Ellis, Richard Berne,Howard Stock,Alan Clayton,Andrew Walker and Steven Turner.
From 8: Eddie Saint,Pete Basara, Alex Lamb, Jordan Sturgess, Mark Sanderson, Sean Nairn, Jonny Dubois and matty Atkinson.
Finishers: Leo Caulfield, Josh Hedley, Ben Morris, Joe Cassidy and Paul Vardey.