Lions ‘go a hunting’ on Eden Park

 

 

Many thanks to Horden and Peterlee RFC for hosting Percy Park’s 2nd XV, following their cancelled game against Hartlepool Rovers in the Candy League Cup. Coach Tim Walker took a mixture of youth and experience down to the Durham Coast and in the doing provided the travelling faithful with a great exhibition of rugby. An exhibition that bodes well for the future development of Percy Park RFC. Nineteen players put their boots on and with ‘rolling subs’ each player was awarded with a minimum of 70 minutes game time. The first try of eight was scored by Dan Jackson. Unfortunately his Dad missed it as Mrs Jackson insisted that he had to call in at ‘Boots The Chemists’….not wishing to take that thought too far it’s much safer to ask…what did Mark Jackson miss and how did our Lions score eight?

 

 

The first score came with Parks first meaningful touch of the game. With the ball released to Dan Jackson the speedy winger curved, meandered and darted through the Horden defence to score near to the posts. Fly half Andrew Walker made sure of the extras.

 

Dan Jacksons abilities were further showcased by a fine tackle on his opposite number…..Dad was quoted ‘At least I can tell him I’ve seen something’

 

 

Horden responded with a try of their own. However it could have been a ‘different story’, as Drew Walker was unlucky not to intercept a home side pass. Unfortunately the ball went down and Horden took the scrum. A peel saw the Durham side crash over in the corner. With a difficult shot at goal the conversion was wide. 5-7 the score.

 

A Marc Cook pass put Will Robinson in space. With the afterburners on Robinson left ‘scorch marks on the turf’ as he devastated the Horden defence. Easy conversion for Walker. Park ahead by 9.

 

Not to be outdone, Ross Young had his moment in the Durham sun. A tap penalty and pass put the full back in space. The rest was history. Try converted. Walker had his shooting boots on. 5 to 21.

 

Park were at it again. Great hands between Mattie Boustead and Chris McCabe produced acres of space for Boustead to exploit and he did with some panache. Conversion taken.5 to 28 at the turn.

 

The second half started slowly for Park as Horden stuck the ball up the jumper. The game became physical and players from both sides were spoken to by the referee. Horden and Peterlee soon tired and our Lions went hunting.

 

 

Our next try was arguably the best of the lot. Creating a maul on the halfway line, Park shoved and rolled the home side back to their 5 metre line. Marc Barry broke off from the side and with great strength left the covering tacklers prostrate on the floor. Up stepped Walker. He didn’t miss. 5 to 35.

 

There is a reason that the author used the word arguably as the next try was scored with some aplomb.  A forward would have loved Marc Barry’s effort’ a back would have loved Mattie Boustead’s second. Standing out wide fly half Andrew Walker found him with an inch perfect cross field kick. A kick that brought knowing glances from the travelling ‘fab four’. With the ball delivered into Boustead’s nest it was game over. Conversion struck nicely. 5 to 42

 

And Park weren’t finished there. A final flourish saw Karl Thompson bound over like a leaping gazelle, following an interchange of passes that took play from left to right. The ‘coup de grace’ being delivered by Andrew Walker. A Boustead break and off load, put the young fly half over the whitewash with a ‘Chris Ashton’ swallow dive. Both conversions taken. Final score 5 points to 56

 

 

 

 At the end of the game it was apparent that all our players had enjoyed their afternoon. The policy of ‘Game time’ had paid off.  As the Lions huddled the talk and chat was all about next week’s fixture against Morpeth 2nds… should be a cracker…Come on Park.

 

 

As a new feature…we will call the next chapter of this prose….The ‘Stu Legg paragraph’…Stu is an avid reader as he suns himself on some Caribbean beach but he would like to know who played. Your wish is our command:

 

Percy Park were represented by:

 

From 15: Ross Young, Dan Jackson, Mattie Boustead, Chris McCabe and Will Robinson.

 

From 10: Andrew Walker and Charlie Ramsell.

 

From 8: Leo Caulfield, George Grainger, Brad Spokes, Marc Barry, Karl Thompson (capt), Marc Cook, Mark Sanderson and Aidan Phillips. 

 

From the pine: Eddie ‘Late arrival’ Saint, Ruairidh Watt and Ben Anderson

 

Coach and Team manager: Tim Walker.