Pre-Season Friendly
Percy Park 19-Old Brodlieans 35
'Minutes in the Legs'
In this pre-season game Percy Park failed to ignite a performance that would have the Percy Park faithful licking their lips in anticipation of the forthcoming Northumberland Cup game against Northern this coming Tuesday night. With Old Brodlieans running straight and powerful lines a young Park side had difficulty (at times) containing 'Brods' and as a consequence the result was (probably) a fair reflection of this encounter. However instead of reflecting on the 'negatives' (let's leave the players and Coach Patten to 'iron out' those issues) lets concentrate on the positives of this game.
As mentioned Park fielded a very young side, with a number of last year's Colts getting a run out. And they performed well. We will have strength in depth this year and that can only benefit the First XV as the season progresses. Young Andrew Walker again impressed at fly half and one audacious cross kick resulted in a fine and well taken try for centre Seb Rees.
Our 'pack' out scrummaged a lively and heavy Brodlieans eight. That bodes well, as last year we didn't quite achieve dominance in that area. Returning prop Aaron Smith certainly played well. With more game time in his legs we will end up with healthy competition for a front row berth. Something we really haven't had since the 'retirement' of George Purdy.
A good performance from new recruit and 'scrum half' Deacon had the 'black and white' support nodding their heads in acknowledgement that we will also have healthy competition for the 'number 9' shirt. And that's where the real positives are. Park were missing a good number of players and when they return we will end up with 'competition' for first team places. Competition that can be argued wasn't there last year and that sports fans gives us all hope for the coming season.Leaving the last positive to last. Lome Fa'atau watched the game and is promising a run out this season. Lets hope so.