Percy Park Lions 24 – 43 Middlesbrough Wasps
Once again the Park Lions were left to rue a poor first half and a lack of players.
Pre match craic...
Thomas T in transit to game so unable to start
Dan Ward pops his shoulder in the warm up meaning Park cannot field a front row
Austin running late
18 yr old Ben Cowell comes out of "retirement"
Josh Cheung at the wrong ground but makes it back from Northern in time for kickoff
Numbers boosted by Kyle who we found in the Carpark
Boro sportingly provide a forward.
The Match
A host of unavailabilities, promotions to the 1xv and illness meant Park were scratching around for players pre- kickoff. Boro sportingly provided a player only for Dan Ward to put his shoulder out passing the ball pre warm-up.
Park started with 14, had the initial pressure, but could not convert in to points; once again the first points of the game went to the visitors following a dropped pass, this was compounded by a further try again from a loose ball putting the visitors 0-12 ahead on 15 minutes. Austin entered the game to even up the numbers and Borough scored direct from the kickoff 0-19.
Park's defence was passive meaning whilst the tackles were being made Boro were able to gain ground from a series of offloads. On 35 minutes Thomas T joined the game but Boro's momentum led to a further try 0-26. As half time approached Park produced a flowing backs move and from the resultant quick ball scored in the corner; however any though of a comeback was quickly doused by another Boro midfield break and try under the posts.
Just on half time a series of strong carries by the Park forwards resulted in a try under the posts, 12-26, but again lax defence allowed Boro back in to the game with their 5th try of the half
HT Lions 12 - Wasps 31.
Park started the second half with increased vigour and a greater urgency at the breakdown. Slick hands, fewer errors and greater determination saw Park claw back two tries to bring the game to 24-31. At this stage Boro were rattled and their indiscipline resulted in a yellow card. Park pressed hard to take advantage of this situation and could count themselves unlucky when a desperate punt down field from deep in the Boro 22 was regathered by their chasing winger for a try 36-24.
With no replacements Park began to tire. Boro used their bench well to bring on fresh legs and the game ended with a final try to Boro
FT Percy Park Lions 24 Middlesborough Wasps 43.
Big thank you to the Wasps team for lending us a player in the 1st half, and a special mention to Kyle for stepping in.