Northumberland and Durham 1
Percy Park RFC 50 v Whitley Bay Rockliff RFC 0
Percy Park on top in cyclical rugby fortunes
For a derby game the day was erringly quiet. With the 1st XV entertaining Rockcliff and our Pumas hosting North Shields I did expect (or was that hope) to see a few more familiar faces about Preston Avenue to support their respective sides. For those that did frequent there was plenty of pre-game entertainmeFnt as the Tynemouth League of Gentlemen threw a party that ensured plenty of amber lubricant before whistle time. Enough oil was around to ensure there was plenty of love on the touchline to debate the cyclical cycle of rugby fortune. And it was just as well there was cheery chat as the fixture did not produce a heady brew.
From the kickoff there was only one winner. Eight tries later and 50 points to nil is not derby rugby. I am not sure of the visitor’s game plan other than to stem the tide…for the first 15 minutes the game was stuck in the middle with very little penetration into the 22. Rockcliff defended well and scrummaged better, but they did not have any ‘gan on’. Constant defense is tiring, and it was no surprise when Ross Young burst through three tackles to score under the posts. Seb Reece had a big part cleverly working the space to put the winger in some room…after that .... well…. if we hadn’t have stopped that try from being scored, I am sure words would have been said. With the conversion taken 7 nil.
Thomas Moore was next up. Playing in an unfamiliar role at ‘6’ he didn’t hold back as a gap opened in front of him on the ’10’ channel and he took it. Nathan Coxon had created the play with a strong run before recycled ball put Thomas Moore in possession. After that it was all down to the player. Conversion taken 14-0
A sublime underarm pass from Josh Hedley was eagerly received by Howard Stock. With Howard taking a step inside from his usual wing berth to centre the opportunity to support his colleague was on the money and duly taken. The try caught the eye as the players run started on his own 22. 21-0.
There was little from Rockcliff and at 21-0 Park seemed to lack urgency. The scrummage was well matched. As the scrum wheeled (on more than one occasion) the Rockcliff scrum half was picking the ball out on the 45 and running back past his own players. You could argue that the referee could have given them a bit more but what the supporters wanted was an 8 pick up and go. At least they would have been on the front foot. Running backwards was ‘meat and drink’ to Park.
For the neutral the game needed a spark and it duly arrived. Receiving the ball deep in his own half a sidestep from Ash Smith left an opposition player floundering and with a turn of pace he travelled the pitch unopposed before setting up the pass that brought Ross Young his second of the day. 28-0 at the half.
It didn’t take long for Park to resume the machine. A cutting line from Jake Smith had the Rockcliff defence in trouble and with Tom Robinson able to whip the ball out left Josh Hedley walked the ball under the posts. 33-0.
Inexplicably the visitors decided to kick a penalty. I can understand wanting to put something on the board but the decision to kick instead of having a go for a try summed their afternoon up. And that lack of ambition didn’t aid Percy Park or the contest. Back to the conveyer belt. Next up probably the best individual try of the afternoon. Thomas Moore dinked a ball over the top of his opposing player. Caught the bounce and scored. All done at full speed! Impressive.
Player coach Ash Smith was next in line…Park forwards hammered the five-metre line and Rockcliff touched down creating a restart from behind the posts. Personally, I haven’t seen anybody restart well. All that happens is a weak kick that goes straight to the opposition and…. they score. ‘Surprise, surprise’ …weak kick…ball comes back to Percy Park., we attack the line and recycle. Ash Smith throws the dummy, Rockcliff buy it and he strolls over.45-0
The visitors looked demoralized, and they were tiring. You cannot criticize their effort but defending and defending again without any prospect of some reward is hard work. Percy Park had the upper hand in the scrum and from the back the ball went wide to Nathan Coxon who did all that was asked of him and finished. 50 nil and full time.
It is very easy to forget that we (Percy Park) were once in Rockcliff shoes, and we were walking off the pitch having been well beaten and that is where the bar chat went. Cyclical rugby fortunes. As we look at our home-grown side, they too have an up-and-coming youth set up at Rockcliff that is producing really good players. We at Percy Park are looking forward to the day where we can play our nearest in a league fixture where every player on the pitch is ‘home grown’…now that would be a derby game to look forward to!
Having mentioned the Pumas playing against Shields we won that one as well 12-7. Well, done
Some sad news to end. Many of the faithful will remember Richard Towell. A long-standing supporter who made a valuable and never forgotten contribution to the resurgence of rugby at Percy Park. On Sunday 21st November Richard passed away following a long illness. From all at Preston Avenue, to Richard and his family, to Adam and James you have our heartfelt condolences.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15: Paul Spowart, Nathan Coxon, Seb Reece, Howard Stock, Ross Alexander Young, Ash Smith, and Tom Robinson.
From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Thomas Moore, Michael Langlands, Josh Hedley, Marc Cook, Adam Hay and Sam Digman.
Finishers: Andrew Clyde, Michael Birkett and Andrew Steinberg.