The Lions looked more like a Development XV than a second string as the 1st XV fringe players Ollie Gilmore, Ash Smith and Rich Berne combined to give Park an early score, Berne crossing in the right corner. Gateshead appeared to be outclassed as the Park forwards rumbled forward at will and Smith began to find gaping holes in the Gateshead backline through which to break.
Even an injury to Steven McPherson, replaced in the centre by Ali Blair, did not interrupt Park’s rhythm as the young backline seemed to attack at will. Be it overconfidence or lack of composure, the Lions squandered multiple chances to extend their early lead with breaks from Smith, Berne, Blair and Johnny Gould all going unrewarded. With five minutes remaining in the half, an opportunist box kick from Gilmore caught both Gateshead defenders and Percy Park attackers by surprise and the Park scrum-half regathered to score to the relief of the travelling support. With the referee pursing his lips around the half-time whistle, it was Gilmore again who found a gap in the Gateshead defence to double his tally for the afternoon. Smith added the extras to make the score 17-0 to the Lions at the break.
Eddie Saint replaced Craig Bartle at the interval and Park started as they had continued, spurning chances to go further ahead, before George Purdy popped a lovely pass to a flying Rich Berne. Berne, in the clear, was dragged down by his opposite number only to find Purdy in support for the Park prop to finish a great try under the sticks. Smith could not fail to notch this conversion and the Park side were beginning to pull away. Minutes later, Smith had the confidence to sell a dummy switch and outsprint the cover to make the score 29-0.
Captain Craig Bartle retuned to the fray but Park weren’t the only side to have made use of the rolling substitutions. Gateshead appeared to have a new front row, along with a couple of handier backs, including 1st XV centre Dave Tate installed at scrum-half. As the sunlight faded, Gateshead awoke and started to keep the ball and apply some real pressure.
Firstly, young back row Jordan Wright crossed on the right, after an extended period of Gateshead possession before winger Ross Huntley bundled his way over on the left, with fly-half Sam Richardson converting both of his kicks at goal to take the score to 29-14 with minutes left on the clock.
Park had made the short trip over the Tyne with only six players in its 18-strong Lions squad over the age of 21 and it was the experience of the likes of Purdy, Dobson and a recharged Bartle that came to the fore as Park closed out the game from here. Wafer and Ovington worked tirelessly in the back row and Gilmour was his usual nuisance around the fringes, preventing Gateshead from gaining clean and meaningful possession in the closing stages, where both sides had chances to increase the scoreline.
Overall, the margin of victory over the side currently at the bottom of NCL 2B was a fair reflection on Park’s endeavour but also an inability to finish chances. The Lions will need to be more clinical when facing more capable opposition. Credit must go to Gateshead who, despite being outplayed in the first half, stayed in touch and made a real contest of the game.
Next week Percy Park Lions play host to Alnwick at Preston Avenue. Kick off is at 2.15pm.
Park: Berne, Gould, Smith, McPherson, Anderson, Dale, Gilmour; Blakey, Watson, Purdy, Bartle, Dobson, Wafer, Ovington, Bradley
Subs (all used): Saint, Blair, Carlile