Friendly
West Hartlepool RFC Stags 7 v Percy Park RFC 80
Lion attack at Brinkburn.
Percy Park RFC Lions put in a dominant forward display at West Hartlepool on Saturday. Although Park had another makeshift pack the size and strength of the ‘8’ completely dominated the opposition. The platform was set and with slick scrum half play from the experienced number 9 Robin Houghton the omens for a comprehensive victory were good.
After only four minutes Nathan Henderson at playing at centre bounced through a series of tackles before linking with the returning Jacob Dunsdon before notching a well worked try. Inspector Morse had his kicking boots on and slotted the conversion (Phil converted 10 out of 12 on the day) 0-7 to the visiting team.
Five minutes later the forwards made good ground and a hard line from Andrew Clyde saw him smash over. Kick goes. 0-14.
We had to wait another 10 minutes for a score but the pack were totally dominant and our half backs were spreading the home defence all over the grass. Two tries in two minutes from Jacob Dunsdon, both well executed from distance (I don’t think he’s run that far for two Years.) increased the lead.21 minutes gone 0-28.
More good work in both scrum and line out brought Andrew Steinberg a brace before half time and at the break we were well on top
The second half started in the same vein as the first, the pack totally dominant. On 42 Robin Houghton picked up from the base of the scrum, scorched the defence on the blind side to cross from 22 metres. 0-47.
The Stags did not capitulate. Despite having very little ball they kept playing and following a series of penalties they got their reward and crossed the whitewash. 7 points to 49.
Percy Park responded in the best possible way. The opposition having been thoroughly routed in the scrum went uncontested but five further tries from Travis Bowart, Steiners (hat trick), Dan Jackson and Ben Butler caused the ref to blow up early. A thoroughly good day at the office.
Next week sees us away at Morpeth for a top of the table clash
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 8: Andrew Clyde, Travis Bowart, James Finn, Steven Dryden, Ben Butler,, Joe Wilkinson, Peter Basara and Andrew Steinberg
From 15: Dan Jackson, Phil Harrison, Nathan Henderson, Jacob Dunsdon, Oli Ellis, Phil Morse and Robin Houghton
Finishers: Mark Winfield, Phil Vardey and Dan Simpson