Candy League 2
Ponteland RFC 2nds 5 v Percy Park RFC Lions 17
Lions go top after late show at Pont
On Saturday 091021 the Lions from the Tynemouth fringe travelled the short distance to visit the gentle people of Pony. The use of the word Pony is not a mistake. Predictive text always replaces the word Pont with the word Pony…as the WhatsApp groups abounded, asking who was going up to Pony on Saturday afternoon, there was many a quizzical, moral and ethical reply doubting that the sender wished to visit a Pony. Confusion abated and many a supporter travelled to Pont to watch the Lions face their toughest test of the season against a skilled and drilled Ponteland second 15. What the spectator witnessed was a close encounter and a home side that pushed Percy Park all the way.
The home side were out of the blocks much quicker than Park and dominated many of the fist exchanges. Deservedly opening the scoring on 15 minutes. Fortunately for Percy Park the kick failed to convert and secure the additional points. The first score seemed to settle the away side. Park started to feel their way into the game. Dominant performance in the set piece allowed the visitors good possession. Michael Langlands and Mark Barry commanded in the air enabling a ‘catch and drive’ to go to the maul on or about the home sides 22. Ponteland were unable resist with Andrew Clyde taking advantage crossing the line to score a fine try. The kick at goal was missed 5-5 on 28 minutes.
The contest began to ebb and flow with the home side prepared to run the ball at every opportunity. Percy Park needed to be up to the task with a capable smother defence.
On 36 more good driving play almost put Josh Lake in but he was held up over the line. Suprising with the extra tonnage he appeared to be carrying. The restart under the posts was butchered by Ponteland, eagerly gathered on the right by Paul Spowart and some decent interplay put Howard Stock in in the corner. 5-10 to Percy Park at the half.
Again the half time chat seemed to do the business, despite taking injuries Park got progressively better. Some reorganisation in the backs seemed to work. Left wing Danny Simpson seemed to benefit from the quicker ball enabling to make good ground. Ponteland were well drilled with a sharp covering defence. The home side were working hard .As the clock ticked Ponteland rolled the dice, following another tap and go in their own 22 they passed the ball into the eagerly awaiting hands of Paul Spowart who went under the posts on 60 minutes. A gift accepted but it was harsh on Ponteland and their team knew it. A prostrate Ponteland player took an age to get up from the mistake and as he did so Michael Langlands sportingly commiserated. The act summed up the game. A tough contest being played in a sportsmanlike way. The referee contributed, playing his part in allowing the game to be played, but also marching teams back 10 when there was any verbal misdemeanours. The misdemeanours soon stopped and as a consequence player and spectator enjoyed their afternoon. The try was converted by Ben Anderson 17-5.
With 12 the difference the away support believed the mistake had thwarted any chance of a Ponteland recovery. To their credit Pont continued to create chances with strong forays into the Park 22. They came up short due to some committed defence and a well-executed exit play that had the home team back on their heels. Following a penalty award Park had an opportunity to go for the corner and with a dominant line out could have and probably would have crashed over for a score and an all-important league bonus point. Inexplicably Park took the kick at goal and missed. And in the missing the extra point went begging. 17-5 the final score.
The coaching staff were quick to acknowledge that Park’s penalty count was too high and they have a need to address that. That aside the players showed real commitment and enthusiasm for the task and were roundly thanked for their efforts. Ponteland were stiff opposition and we look forward to the return encounter and wish them well for the rest of the season.
With the points take Percy Park moved to the top of the Candy 2 table and welcome Westoe to Preston Avenue next week
The co-author wishes to thank Mark ’Mutley’ Jackson for his 5 minute cameo before retiring with a cramp of sorts! We enjoyed your company minus the 5 minutes you managed to stay on the pitch.
Our thanks go to Ponteland RFC for their welcoming hospitality… it is always a pleasure to visit win or lose.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15: Andrew Walker, Dan Jackson, Howard Stock, Paul Spowart, Phil Harrison, Ben Anderson and Cameron Young
From 8: Michael Langlands, Josh Lake, Travis Bowart, Mark Barry, Andrew Clyde, Ben Morris, Sam Hutley and Peter Basara.
Finishers: Steven Dryden, Connor Rogerson, Mark Jackson and Danny Simpson