PERCY PARK LIONS 31 – 7 CONSETT II
This was a good advert for development rugby, as both Park and Consett fielded young teams of players aspiring towards 1st XV rugby. The mid week game attracted a reasonable crowd who were entertained by two sides looking to play expansive rugby, and although the score line looks a little one sided in truth Park took the chances they had, and a resolute defence kept Consett at bay.Consett opened the scoring when an up an under on the Park 10 metre line wasn’t tidied up by the home side and the Consett inside centre capitalised on the loose ball and ran in a try scoring under the posts, and with the conversion the visitors led by 7 points to nil. Park’s response was quick and on the 20 minute mark right wing Johnny Gould out paced his opposite number and scored with Ash Smith kicking the conversion to equalise.
Shortly before half time Ollie Gilmour ran in a try after a Park scrum on the visitors 5 metre line which was again convert by Smith, and at half time the score was Percy Park 14 – 7 Consett. In the second period, it was Johnny Gould who scored first for Park with a fine individual piece of skill. Breaking down the right flank and the cover defence tried to bundle him into touch, but a deft kick over their heads allowed the winger to break through and retrieving his kick dived over the line, to applause from the balcony from some of his former team mates from Rockcliff who had come along to watch.
Percy Park now had a strangle hold on the game, and the kicking game adopted by Consett was not working in breaking down the home side defence. With 20 minutes remaining Park’s Ian Bradley picked up from the back of a scrum in the Consett 22, and barged his way passed the defence to score. Smith converted the easy attempt in front of the sticks.
Consett battled to the end but on the stroke of full time with the best try of the game, James “titch” Anderson finished off a try on the left wing started by a blistering break by Dale Jones. Jones off loaded in the tackle to Gould who, running out of space kicked a the ball in field, which was retrieved and spun out to Park’s diminutive left wing who still had a lot to do to cross the line.
Percy Park Lions maintain their top position in Northumberland league 2b with a 100% record, confirming the improved strength in depth of the senior squad. On the far training pitch the Park 1st XV had 21 players being rigorously put through their paces by coach James Ponton, in preparation for the weekend’s game against league leaders Hartlepool Rovers.