National ‘Papa John’s’ Community Plate Competition
Regional 2 Plate North
Percy Park RFC 28 v Scarborough RUFC 23
Miller causes a flutter as Park enter the second-round draw.
Percy Park edged an entertaining game. Although we lead for the majority it was never a done deal. Even the final kick (or was that the final attempted kick) provided consternation in the crowd as the Scarborough charge down placed the ball in no mans land and a race to possession. Possession would give the receiver the ability to end the game or score a try. The foot race was won by Park narrowly beating the Scarborough ‘6’ to the ball. The pick and pass to player coach Ash Smith was dispatched to the touch line with a banana slice that was almost caught by the oncoming Scarborough wing. The visiting wing swore and so did the crowd! A breathless end to a highly enjoyable game that had all the thrills and spills of knockout competition.
Our final league position determined which competition or format Percy Park entered. That being Cup, Plate or Bowl, pool or straight knockout. The Regional 2 Plate competition is knockout comprising of 32 teams. All sounds great but here is the whinge. When we entered this National Competition all the clubs expected a round robin where you were guaranteed one or more games; and at least a home fixture. For some reason that didn’t transpire in the plate competition meaning victory ensured your season remained competitive and the loss meant an early bath and a shortened playing campaign. A subject that was eagerly discussed pre- and post-match. More so post-match as Scarborough began to contemplate the loss of revenue the defeat brought. Owning a healthy home support this competition would have assured Scarborough a big crowd and a hearty sponsors lunch. The loss of a home fixture and the cost of a bus up-to Percy Park has seen a significant financial loss. I am sure this is not what the RFU intended but it is the reality of the format they have elected to play. Needs more thought if this competition will prove viable and attractive for clubs to enter. At the heart of everything is revenue. A hard cold fact but it is the dollar that ensures survival in today’s tough financial times.
Ash Smith opened the scoring with a well taken penalty. A fast and furious start had both teams launching into the fray. No quarter was asked or given. Prop Aaron Smith had an outstanding opening period knocking down all in front and winning ball. I’m not sure what was said in the warm up but it had certainly captured Aaron Smith. Both teams were disciplined in their approach but as the game went to the ‘furious’ one had to err and that was Scarborough. Caught offside as Park pressed the try line. First blood to the home side.
Undeterred Scarborough led by the very impressive William Rennard at blind side retrieved the ball at the restart and through some tidy possession play attracted a penalty kick of their own. Ross Young penalised for not releasing the player. Significant advantage was given but the away side could not capitalise. Back to the penalty and duly taken. Three a piece. It has to be said that the flowing locks of the Scarborough six did not go unnoticed by a tall Percy Park alikado who of late has been watching too many historical Viking dramas. The constant reference to Ragnar Lothbruk and Valhalla was worrying. Being born in Sunderland is the only excuse I can think of.
The game was hard fought. The watching faithful believed if we kept the ball up front we could edge the contest. And so, it proved with Josh Hedley leading the catch and drive with a slimmer forward receiving the ball at the back to touch down for the try. Visibility was reducing as a grey blanket of fine rain soaked the pitch and supporter. I’m just not sure who got over but I think it might have been Paul Spowart as he joined the drive unseen from the technical area. Scarborough were the architects of their doom as a defending player did not make an attempt to roll away denying scrum half Charley Miller quick ball. Easy penalty and one that Ash Smith took to the corner. Catch and drive. Job done. The conversion missed.
Our second score was a good one. The game was end to end. Parks initial superiority in the scrum had been nullified insuring that the set piece was going to possession. Charley Miller was having a cracking game as he drove his team forward and exploited space around him. Percy Park were knocking at the door testing Scarborough’s defence. Miller saw a gap and an accidental head collision brought the game to a stop. More of a head to nose with the Scarborough player bouncing back. Percy Park worked the back of the scrum really well moving the ball to Captain Seb Rees who was loitering wide on the right. Very good team try. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed. Score stood at 13 points to 3.
Scarborough fought back. Ragnar was causing Park all sorts of problems with his direct running. Scarborough’s 15 and 9 were asking questions. Referee Paul Minto was having a good game. Quick on the whistle meant the players responded in kind. The game was fast. The ball was being thrown around and it was a great watch. A last-ditch tackle from Charley Miller, beneath our posts, prevented the visiting William Mann from scoring off a penalty advantage. Percy Park caught offside as they tried to close space from a defensive line. Paul Minto brought Scarborough back to the penalty. An easy shot that brought the first half scoring to a close at 13 points to 3.
Park had their opportunities to extend the lead. Jamie Wrigley was causing problems ranging from his wing at 11. When we got into the red zone, we couldn’t make it pay. A line out move didn’t work out when a return to the catch and drive might have brought a more fruitful result. Not to worry Park ahead at the break.
Scarborough came out flying. The introduction of Ropeti-Ropeti into the visiting pack provided some muscle. Percy Park were held in their 22 and offended twice in quick succession. Each occasion being penalised for being offside. With advantage Scarborough came to the line. Percy Park’s defence was really good. Scarborough were tied in. The deadlock broken by a long looping pass to the right wing who displayed real strength to hold back Toby Davison as our full back endeavoured to prevent him from scoring. Reinforced the winger was over for the try. The conversion missed. 13-11.
The restart saw referee Minto clattered by Jonny Dubois as the player made a beeline for the ball. Play was held up as our arbitrator enjoyed a back rub off the Scarborough physio. Our Caroline not wanting to place her hands on the Northumberland referee’s skin. Deep heat sorted the issue and we carried on.
We entered a period when we really struggled to contain Scarborough. Their hooker marginally went offside. Tight call but it gave Park the penalty in the middle of the field and the opportunity to kick for touch, turning defence into attack. Scarborough failed to hold Josh Hedley at the line out and we were on it. The visitors barely containing Percy Parks back line. The ball went to the line out then the ruck. Prop Aaron Smith using his bulk to crash over. Converted 20 points to 11
Our next score was worth the admission money alone. Arguably one of the best tries we have seen this season. Again, Scarborough were pressing and again they infringed by going off their feet in the ruck. Ash Smith took the opportunity to calm the game down by taking time to instruct Toby Davison to take the ‘free’ kick. The ball was placed downfield to the line out. We went infield and a disguised pass from Josh Hedley had Jamie Wrigley screaming through the line. Pace and strength brushed off several tackles. Wrigley was behind the defensive line. The crowd were on their toes and our linesman Jobba had broken into a rare sprint to catch up. The offload to Leo Caulfield was class yet the pass inside from Caulfield to Toby Davison was better. The pass taking out all the cover giving Toby the easiest of ‘touch-downs’. Great try and, thankfully, Leo elected to pass rather than kicking the ball into the corner. Conversion missed. 25 to 11.
Scarborough had to reply and they knew it. Time was not on their side. They came flying at Park and we had to defend. We didn’t help matters with a knock on and several infringements allowing the pressure to stay on. Scarborough’s ‘8’, and Captain, Andrew Govier was having an influence. From the back of a scrum and finding no defence Govier ran toward our posts unimpeded. Scoring the easiest of tries. Converted to take the score 25 points to 18.
Hooker Dan Shuttleworth saved his teams blushes as he put in a tremendous match saving tackle under our posts. The hit hurt and he took the knee. This time our Caroline put hands to skin which brought her a quizzical’ Why not me?’ look from Mr Minto. The tackle turned over ball and we made our way up the field toward the Scarborough line to bag a penalty shot at goal. Ash Smith taking the valuable 3 points. 28-18. Less than 8 to go.
In an attempt to speed up the game a Scarborough assistant was up and down the pitch wiping the mud off the match ball ensuring better grip for his team at the set piece. Such was the need for speed he took a pass from one of his own players right in the kisser. Fortunately, he saw the funny side. Had to really as there wasn’t much sympathy coming his way other than a wincing ‘OOHH’ and peals of laughter.
Scarborough hit hard and went through the phases. We gave ground and penalties. The away side kept the ball alive. Andrew Govier broke through once more and darted to our line. Shouts came from the touch line encouraging our players to get across. Everybody watching had bought in. We needed a tackle. Charley Miller got across aided by Seb Rees. Govier went down but the ball stayed alive with Ragnar flying through a static defence to score. Talk about drama. It was annoying but the score made the contest all that more absorbing……for the neutral. The drama gave the faithful palpitations. Would have preferred a clear run but, hey-ho this is Percy Park and I should expect nothing but drama. The conversion was missed 28 to 23.
Minutes to go and one score in it. Boy did it get frantic. From the restart Scarborough went offside by playing the ball in front. Game Management was the call and from a line out we harried the line moving the ball infield. Last play was called. Securing our ball Charley Miller went to kick the ball onto Preston Avenue. Ragnar extended a huge hand and charged the ball down into no man’s land. Howard Stock won the race. Percy Park wrapped around the ball. Scarborough players went flying aided by a push or two. Scarborough’s 7 went offside. Smith went to the pocket and on the whistle quickly kicked the ball to touch. The Scarborough wing reading his intentions took a punt and nearly, very nearly, caught the ball. Thankfully he didn’t. Game over Park through to the next round….. both teams hugged each other on the final whistle knowing that they had taken part in a cracking game of rugby
Representing Percy Park:
From 15: Toby Davison, Howard Stock, Seb Rees, Ross Young, Jamie Wrigley, Ash Smith and Charley Miller
From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jonny Dubois, Andy Dunn, Michael Langlands, Josh Hedley, Tristan Grant, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith
Finishers: Paul Spowart, Adam Hay and Lucas Rowell.