Durham and Northumberland 1
Northern RFC 8 v Percy Park RFC 28
Park more United than City
Thomas Moore continued his impressive introduction to 1st team rugby with two scintillating tries as the boys from the ‘Tynemouth Fringe’ dispatched their City rivals by a comfortable score line. The Black and Whites deserved the plaudits, they had to work hard as Northern were never out of the game until the 66th minute when Percy Park gained scoreboard distance. And it was Thomas Moore who broke Northern hearts and will…. that plus their line out which throughout the game was ‘pantalon’….a fact that was causing some discord on the City bench….and then there was a sparky discussion borne out of their frustration on the finer points of the scrummage…maybe on the day Percy Park were more United than City.
Northern were confident of the win and started the game impressively, putting Percy Park under pressure. An imposing hit by Thomas Moore in the centre laid down a statement that Percy Park weren’t there to be rolled over. Park remained resolute and would not be pushed back and as a consequence the first signs of the home sides frustration showed as the referee marched the home side back for some ill-timed lip. A well taken Ash Smith penalty rubbed salt into an opening wound. 3 nil to the visitors.
Percy Park started to dominate the scrum area with the Northern tight head struggling to contain as he was doubled up. He needed some help and it wasn’t forthcoming. That set piece stability allowed the ball to be recycled at pace and that in turn allowed centre Thomas Moore to break the line, bounce through a tackle and with real pace round the Northern full back to score in the far corner. Difficult kick in a freshening wind. Conversion missed 8 nil to the visitors.
The set piece continued to be taken by the team from the newly named estate agent driven Northumberland Park area of North Shields. In my day Shields was ‘Shields’, now in the time of inflated house prices ‘Shields’ has shrunk and Park are now based on the Tynemouth Fringe joined by too many southern voices, 50K (and more) on a price for a two bed and Retro clothing on the nearby Fish quay… many call it progress and it was progress Northern were making in the game. Rattled by the try Northern took the ball to the forward area and were doing well.
A rather fortunate decision benefitted Park as Northern were penalised for taking out the supporting player. A decision which eventually allowed Park possession culminating in another Ash Smith penalty. As the game went to the muscle Any Dunn won his wrestle as he wrenched free a ball hugged by a Northern forward. Dunn set off but he didn’t have the gas to outstrip and as a consequence moved the ball to the hand. Although the move broke down as the referee correctly adjudicated a forward pass Park transitioned quickly. Park were at it and as the Northern tight head folded once more, Ash Smith stepped up to take another 3 points. 14 nil.
Percy Park were playing well and taking the ball on the ground and at this stage you wondered where Northern could find a way back. A poor line out gifted Northern possession. The Percy Park line appeared rooted to the spot and failed to react. Northern passed along the line creating two over. Poor covering allowed the numerical advantage to hold and Northern were over for a try. The conversion was missed. The score galvanized Northern and the momentum in the game swung. Whatever had gone wrong in the scrummage was fixed. Park were penalised for wheeling at the scrum and just on the half the penalty was taken 14-8 at the turn.
As we set off for the second the momentum stayed with Northern. Park began to lose the scrum…..fortunately Northern’s line out didn’t improve…and as a consequence the set piece didn’t bring the visitors the clean ball enjoyed in the first half. Leo Caulfield was unlucky with a ‘chip and go’ and that failure to receive summed up this period. We endeavoured but what we tried didn’t quite come off. We were also losing the battle on the floor. Park had to dig in. Northern lost their fly half to an ankle injury and although their rhythm was effected….a good penalty chance was missed…Park were unable to wrestle back control. An Ash Smith chip over created an opportunity to transition but a fumble meant the chance was gone. As Northern pressed the line a ‘pick up’ too far saw a Northern player exposed enabling the strip. If they had made the right choice and gone wide Northern could have scored.
Percy Park began to use the bench with effect and with fresh legs tussled and jostled back a little bit of control. As the weather drew in Park’s passing went to soap and the authors notes went to the ‘sog’. Fortunately Northern’s line outs were still pantalon although they remained rooted in Percy Park’s defensive half.
Another fortunate decision benefitted Park as a good line and offload was given as forward. If the ref had thought it was good the Northern player was behind. That was followed by another piece of good fortune. A northern penalty was taken on the tap….well that was his intention….what the player used was his knee…that didn’t go down to well with the Northern bench!
We have already spoken about momentum….that penalty mistake…the forward pass….allowed Park to break out. An Ash Smith kick to the corner gave territory. Northern made a complete hash of a lineout giving the ball to Karl Thompson .Ball taken and Percy Park drove. Northern were on their heels and with ‘3 pick and goes’ prop Andrew Steinberg …. (Dear Steiners the author did remember and noted that the e.r.g is all important. Just remember to tell the vicar next week as you sign the marriage certificate) touched down. Conversion taken 21 -8.
During this period the away team lost Kieran Carpets to an ankle injury, enjoyed a fishing expedition from Coach Harrison and a little dance from Coach Langlands singing ‘I’ll be back’. Regrettably both gentlemen became a little camera shy and I was unable to record the moment. It is suffice to say they were happy people…notwithstanding poor Kieran who hobbled toward the bench!
Then came the moment. Within 3 minutes Percy Park had grappled the ball free allowing Smith to cross kick to a loaded back line. Wing Howard Stock gratefully received. Stock did really well evading the covering defence. The support was with him and a series of infield offloads put Thomas Moore in possession. The player still had a bit to do. Breaking from the full back he had sight of the posts and with a little fist pump picked up speed to score under the posts. It was a fantastic sweeping move that showcased Percy Park’s ability to transition from their own 22, at pace, to create scoring chances in opposition territory. The move raised a black and white cheer, more ear to ear grins and an audible red and white groan. Conversion taken 28-8.
The game had 10 to go, all Percy Park had to do was see it out. Player Coach Ash Smith decided his young protégés could see the game out without him as he took a yellow for holding back a Northern breakaway. Reality was he made a mess of the collect and decided that was a good time for a breather. As the game seemed to peter out the visitors produced another great piece of rugby. On the last play, and noting they were shorthanded, the forwards took a shortened line out and kept the ball. With real power they skittled Northern back over their line. Caulfield was in possession. Bonus point loomed… a 5 point victory…it was there…then…Leo dropped the ball as he went for the ground…whistle blown….28-8 the score….and as Leo left the pitch he gave the author one of those smiles he reserved for his mother after he had been caught with his hands in the Quality Street before Xmas day!
Percy Park deserved this win…and were congratulated warmly by the Northern coaching team…on two occasions they have travelled away to league leaders and won. Percy Park are a side in embryonic growth but they have something which bodes well for this season and beyond. Next up Westoe at home for another top of the table clash…it’s getting exciting!!
Representing Percy Park RFC
From 15…Paul Spowart, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Thomas Moore, Kieran Sutherland, Ash Smith and Tom Robinson.
From 8…Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Andrew Dunn, Karl Thompson, Sam Digman, Aaron Smith, Adam Hay and Marc Cook.
Finishers: Andrew Steinberg, Josh Hedley and Stephen Turner.