Durham and Northumberland 1
Percy Park RFC 29 v Medicals RFC 14
Park deliver minus the odd boot or two!
We all are of the belief that our Medics are a caring lot, engaged in the kindest of professions and there to look after us. On a rugby field that would appear not to be case. As a Thomas Moore discarded boot was ceremoniously lobbed into the crowd, without regard where it landed, the faithful knew that the Medicals ‘15’ had arrived with belief that they could starve the Park team of the ball and if necessary their boots. Their defence was robust and often had Park tracking backwards as the home side tried to find a way through. Park went to the quick and found themselves in a contest as the Meds line came up fast and strong. The opening salvo was frenetic and furious and it didn’t let up for the duration of the game. It was end to end, tested the endurance and fitness levels and provided an absorbing afternoon for the spectator.
The Medicals scrum half and a lively back row supported by the impressive William Moore at ‘lock’ didn’t give home scrum half Joe Cassidy a moment to settle into the game. As a consequence Percy Park struggled to find their rhythm. Testament to that statement was first score of the afternoon coming from a mistake from the Medicals offense and a double movement preventing the away side from scoring.
Although Percy Park dominated the set piece they could not break the strangle hold imposed by an athletic Medicals side. Turn over ball and pressured knock-ons were prevalent. Medicals were unlucky and deserved more than the misfortune of allowing Percy Park the first score of the day. Intelligent scanning from wing Kieran Sutherland allowed the gather and intercept as an offensive pass looked to put Medicals down the line. Instead Sutherland collected and sped in the opposite direction. The touchdown giving Ash Smith the easiest of conversions. 7 points to nil.
The score enlivened the Percy Park side, with their forward pack on the front foot, only an unfortunate call for ‘crossing’ preventing the home side from adding to their tally. An awesome kick from the ever improving Andrew Walker kept Park on their metal. Line out secured and Park muscled their way to the Medicals line. Several attempts were called short before prop Matty Atkinson was on hand to score his first try for the 1st XV since his return to the North East, by placing his mitt on the ball. Mattys former mentor and coach Paul Jobson was hoping the that player could have replicated one of his own tries for that all important first one : that being a 140 yard dash with ball in hand and an audacious chip over the advancing full back but alas it wasn’t meant to be. Still a score is a score. With the conversion missed Park led by 12 points to nil.
Percy Park failed to collect the restart. Medics William Moore stealing the ball as the Park player waited to receive. With territorial advantage Medics went for the jugular and only a brave stop from player coach Ash Smith prevented any further progress. Yet the ball remained with the visitors. They went to the stand side and with Park being called offside and with penalty advantage the Medics wing went outside Kieran Sutherland to beat the covering defense to score a good try. Conversion taken 12-7
Medicals were playing at a furious pace and only some last ditch tackling prevented serious incursions into Park territory.
The Park forwards had the upper hand but needed the ball to slow the game down. Medicals were very good in the loose. When we did recover meaningful possession was spoilt by inaccurate passing and knock-ons. Even an attempt to move the score on was thwarted by a penalty kick that rattled the crossbar. Changes needed ‘to be had’ and at 12-7 into the second half rotations were made by the Percy Park coaching team.
The second half started in the same vein as the first, frantic end to end running with some superb midfield tackling breaking up proceedings.
Percy Park need some zip to get the ball away from an eager Medicals side. They needed to stretch and release their backs. With Andy Dunn lasciviously eyeing the ‘9’ spot the coaching team catapulted Andrew Walker into the slot bringing Captain Seb Reece into full-back.
The changes brought instant reward. Park received good ball at the back of the scrum. A grubber kick set the home team down the clubhouse side before going wide. Seb Reece joined the line and although the ball was lost, and then won again, the resulting Park pressure saw Mark Barry cross the line for a well-deserved try. On a note it is great to see Mark back in the first team after a long layoff through injury….he has been a miss. Conversion taken 19 to 7.
Percy Park went through the gears. Dropping a step or two back they ran onto the ball with real pace and for the first time in the game Medicals began to struggle to keep up. It was an onslaught that included the whole team keeping the ball alive and away from the tackler. It was impressive to watch and the period was ‘put to bed’ by Kiran Sutherland who scored his second try of the day. Unfortunately the conversion was well short and may have something to do with a promise by player coach Ash Smith to buy all in the clubhouse a beer or two when he bypasses the 200 point mark. 24 -7 the score.
The home side were playing well and the ball was being played quickly. Medics had to adapt and once they ‘got a grip’ with it, they too came from deep and went with strong runners to create holes. The pace was relentless and some of their players were suffering from cramp. Wings Ross Young and Kieran Sutherland were enjoying a lot possession.
Back to the middle and the Park forwards drove on in groups of three. The tactic keeping Medicals under pressure and on the retreating foot. Short of numbers, Ash Smith saw space behind. A deft kick saw the supporting Andy Dunn split the defence with an easy touch down onto a rolling ball. Good try. The conversion missed.
The lack of points being the subject of some discussion in the 1872 after the game led by Paul Spowart, who had something to say about being the underused understudy and the desire to see his player coach buy him a 200 point drink. Andrew Walker also had something to say on the subject as well. Confidence and humour is not in short supply at Preston Avenue these days. 29-7
As Mark Barry took a well-earned rest, Andrew Steinberg entered the fray. Medicals kept at it. At times all they could do was hang on. Some desperate tackling kept Percy Park at bay plus the occasional rest for cramp and water. With the game approaching the final quarter Percy Park introduced debutant Sam Leeds at ‘6’. Sam being another young player coming through the very successful youth system at Preston Avenue. Sam acquitted himself very well and looks to be a very promising player. One strong run off the back of the lineout catching the eye.
Medicals stayed with it benefitting from a knock on from Seb Reece and as he bore down on the visitor’s line. With the ball being returned to the home side’s half Medics ‘5’ hung off a ‘ruck’ and with ball in hand took two players with him. Quick hands delivered to the fly half, who ran at the angle toward the post before releasing the pass in front of the defending line. The pass receiver coming on the angle to score. Conversion taken 29-14 and to the whistle.
Great game to watch.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15: Andrew Walker, Kieran Sutherland, Howard Stock, Paul Spowart, Ross Young, Ash Smith and Joe Cassidy
From 8: Michael Langlands, Thomas Moore, Andy Dunn, Karl Thompson, Mark Barry, Matty Atkinson, Adam Hay and Sam Digman
Finishers: Seb Reece, Sam Leeds and Andrew Steinberg.