North One East
West Hartlepool RFC 12 v Percy Park RFC 43
Percy Park Lions 50 v Consett 2nds 12
Percy Park Pumas 43 v Novos 12 (awaiting report)
As Dennis rages, Percy Park create a storm of their own as they blow away their opposition
The biggest ‘influencer’ on the day was always going to be a chap called Dennis and as our 1st XV took to the field at Fortress Brinkburn the wind was blowing a mighty hooley across the pitch; favouring the team kicking toward the West Hartlepool clubhouse. Park elected to go with the wind in what was a ‘must win 5 point game’. The travelling faithful lent their support in the realisation that we were contesting that dreaded final relegation spot and that the conclusion of the contest would have a major say in our ability to stay in North One East. So it was with grim determination that Captain Seb Reece led his team into the gladiatorial arena, watched by a few hardy souls and one or two canine friends, and set player coach Ash Smith the task of sending his team into the West Hartlepool half.
Percy Park did not disappoint. Big hits and useful carries had the Tyneside team camped in Hartlepool 22 and it was not long before Ash Smith picked out Mattie Boustead on his inside shoulder, allowing the player to cruise through on the angle to score under the posts. With an easy conversion Park were 7 to the good and the travelling support were anticipating more. That avalanche failed to materialise as West Hartlepool put up some dogged defence, constantly disrupting any rhythm Percy Park attempted to dictate on the game. The wind played its part as ‘placed balls’ were rolling all over the place and passes were blown forward. A hard won penalty win at the hands of Jonny Dubois had the referee penalising the home side for holding on. Ash Smith took the shot and it looked good, until Dennis decided to give the trajectory a tumble, blowing the ball just wide of the post.
West were falling foul of the referee as they held onto the ball at the breakdown. The neutral observer may suggest that the calls came a little too quickly as the players attempted to master the conditions. Park went to the scrum and received good ball. The West scrum half was making a nuisance of himself by sticking his foot in at the back of the scrum. He got away with it and to be fair it is what scrum halves try to do…that is until they get penalised!
Another penalty to Percy Park saw Ash Smith strike for the corner, creating a 5 metre line out. Sensibly Park went short, although West held their line and the move broke down. Percy Park appeared to be having some difficulty mastering the conditions. Scrum half Ruairi Meharg was ‘finding it heavy going’ releasing the ball quickly.
West scrapped and fought for their line, and when they were able, kept the ball in hand as they attempted to get into Percy Park’s half. In the doing they gave a big clue to all that were watching; it appeared easier to play into the wind rather than play with the wind. Percy Park remained dominant in the scrum and Hartlepool were found to be guilty of ‘pulling down the front row’ and as a consequence Ash Smith kept peppering the line unfortunately Park could not get over.
As the half approached West made almost their first sortie into Percy Park’s half ‘hitting up’ and breaking the gain line. To disrupt the ball retention Josh Hedley decided to stay on the wrong side and block a West Hartlepool player from getting his hands on the ball deservedly receiving a yellow card for his misdemeanour. He really should not have concerned himself as West continued to offend at the ‘break down’ and all Ash Smith did was peg the home side back by hitting the line. Percy Park could not turn that pressure into scoreboard points. 7 nil at the half.
Percy Park rang the changes with Andrew ‘Steiners’ Steinburg taking the field. From ‘the off’ we played really well. Park kept the ball in hand and the passes started going to hand as players were able to run onto the ball. Numerical parity was soon reached as Josh Hedley re-entered the fray and with parity Park cut loose. Park sensibly held on to the ball and played the phases rumbling to the Hartlepool line. There we camped until Sean Williamson struck over for a try. In truth a very good team try. Conversion taken 14 nil to Park.
West attempted to move the ball in an attempt to get back into the contest and found that it was harder playing with the strengthening wind as they encountered the same problems Park endeavoured to cope with in the first half. One such pass was caught in a gust and stalled in mid-air allowing Ali Blair to pick up. Blair took off from mid-way in the away side’s territory and struck out across the half way point. West chased. From the sidelines the race looked laboured for both players as the battled into the wind an observation well made as Ali Blair crossed the try line and immediately fell into an exhausted heap. Still it was a try well taken and Blair deservedly received the applause and cheers of his team mates alas the conversion came straight back to Ash Smith!! Not much he could do …Park ahead by 19!
And the floodgates opened…the expected first half avalanche appeared in the second….next over was Jonny Dubois. A fine break from Mattie Boustead (who was having a terrific game on the wing) showing pace and purpose had Park attacking the Hartlepool 22. Josh Hedley and Andrew Steinburg both made terrific offloads to onrushing players and as a consequence we were through with Jonny Dubois getting that all important touchdown. This time Smith kicked really low and over. 26 nil to the black and whites.
West were showing their frustration and one soul decided to back chat the referee gaining a yellow card for casting an unwanted opinion. Park were well in control and happy to play out of their half moving the ball into contact and move again. West taking those all important steps backwards. Unfortunately for our fly half, an over lengthened pass went to the floor allowing Lewis Scott to pick up and gather West Hartlepool’s first try of the day. The conversion was missed.
Austin Phillips and Howard Stock graced the field and immediately had a strong impact on the game moving Park quickly up field with a flowing move that I initially believed was ended by Jamie Diamond…well I should have gone to Specsavers as a rather pleased Mattie Boustead was quick to let me know he had got the final down…albeit Jamie was keen to point out that he should have returned the pass…yet a try is a try even if I did get the scorer wrong! The conversion was missed. Percy Park were playing with real confidence and Ruairi Meharg was beginning to dictate the game.5 to 31.
Next up was Captain Seb Reece. West Hartlepool went into the contact and looked to have the ball under control until Seb Reece popped up ‘like a rabbit in a magicians hat’ with a great steal. A dash to the line had his mother off her seat…not quite dancing…but rather happy as her son made the score for his team. The conversion was missed 5 to 36
Another flowing move had West falling off the tackles and Percy Park running great lines into open spaces beyond the gain line. On this occasion ‘our Ash’ was the beneficiary of the try. This time Smith was able to convert .5 to 43
As the game approached its end West received a consolation try for their well-deserved efforts on the day. Percy Park were penalised in the scrum and failed to organise their defence. The West forwards exploited the inattention and on this occasion full back Matt Siddell notched the score with the conversion taken. Final score 12 points to 43.
Percy Park played really well. Once they overcame the conditions they looked to be back to their best….and that gives the faithful real hope we can move away from the relegation zone. Next week is a break in the fixture calendar, allowing the 1st XV players a well-earned break…it’s been a bit ‘tough road of late’.
Our Lions are certainly roaring…this is what coach Tim walker had to say on their terrific win over Consett.
‘’ A game of two halves against Consett; the weather didn’t help but first half, despite a promising start, we didn’t have great shape. We gave away too many penalties and put too many balls down. Yet we started well…after only two minutes a speculative box kick by Joey Cassidy was chased down the left wing by Jimmy Baldwin , a favourable bounce saw him collect the ball , step the full back and outpace the defence to go over near the posts . A great try duly converted by Ben Anderson. 7 0. It was ‘even Steven’s’ for a while but an infringement by Consett in front of their posts was duly converted by Anderson. 10-0 the score. But Consett were never out of this game. They had a strong but immobile pack and we were failing to utilise our pace particularly out wide. The defence was solid with big performances from Eddie Saint, Leo Caulfield and the very impressive Sam Digman’’
Back came Consett doing what they do best, keeping the ball and playing 10 man rugby. On 15 minutes they were rewarded with a try duly converted. Park scored once more before the break, again converted by Anderson and an uneventful first half ended 17 7 in our favour.
A slight reshuffle saw Jimmy Baldwin slot in at 9 for the second half. We had talked about exploiting the wide areas and that is exactly what we did. On 45 minutes the ball went out to the left wing, Jack Allen made good ground then put in a deft grubber collected by Ross Young who went over. Kick missed 22 7. Not two minutes later an interchange between Allen and Young on the other wing saw Ross Young go over again , converted by Anderson , now 29 7 ahead 47 minutes gone.
Ten minutes later a speculative hack through by Consett was not dealt with by Anderson at full back and a further hack saw Consett score against the run of play. 29 -12. Heads did not go down and Percy Park turned the screw. On 55 and 60 minutes two forward tries scored by Andrew Clyde put us out of sight. Consett were rattled. They were arguing with the referee and had lost all shape.
On 75 minutes a flowing backs move saw young Jack Allen go over the line to score, converted from the touch line by Anderson. 50 points to 12 and that’s how it ended. A comprehensive victory in the end when we never really played that well, we will need to be better at Morpeth next week but confidence is high and team spirit is good.’’
Representing Percy Park v West Hartlepool
From 8: Sean Williams, Jake Smith, Andrew Dunn, Josh Hedley, Michael Langlands, Marc Cook, Jonny Dubois and Aaron Smith.
From 15: Jamie Diamond, Chris McCabe, Ali Blair, Seb Reece, Mattie Boustead, Ash Smith and Ruairi Meharg.
Off the pine (now called finishers!) Andrew Steinburg, Howard Stock and Austin Phillips.