PONTEFRACT 20 – 24 PERCY PARK
Park rested Thomas Turnbull and Ash Smith, who were originally on the bench, but a late cry off by Craig Firth with a back injury meant Ash started at outside centre and Adam Fidler was called up from the Lions. Marcus Rutter started at full back after being replacement in the previous two games.
The low overnight temperatures meant that as the team bus left Preston Avenue, the pitch at Pontefract was still frozen, but the gamble paid off as the sun came out and by kick off time, as had been the case the day before, the thaw had set in, and the game could go ahead, although the air temperature never rose above 3 degrees.
The cold day brought handling errors from each side, with both teams looking to play open running rugby on a good surface. Park struck first as Ash Smith had pinned the home side back in their 22 with a good touch kick. Brett Sylph then stole the Pontefract ball at the front of the line, and the tapped ball was swept through the Park three quarter line at pace, with Howard Stock finishing off the try in the right hand corner. The conversion dropped short, but with 7 minutes on the clock Park led 5 – 0.
The game was halted on 20 minutes as Andrew Dunn received attention for a dislocated finger, and once the game was restarted, Pontefract were awarded a penalty for Park being offside and the home side kicked to touch on the visitor’s 22. The line out was won, and a controlled drive led to a try by Mike Burnett, but Andy Dean was off target with the conversion.
Percy Park had several chances to hit back, and had a line out inside the Pontefract 22. Unfortunately the throw to the back didn’t find a jumper and the home side relieved the pressure. Play moved back to the Park half and when they were penalised, Dean stepped forward to convert the penalty on 40 minutes.
Park had the best possible start to the second half, when Ash Smith retrieved a kick deep in his own half and surged up field, breaking through several tackles before passing to Marcus Rutter in support. The Park full back raced to the line for the score under the posts and Smith converted to take Park back in front.
The tactics from the visitors was obviously to pick up the pace of the game, and 7 minutes later scored again, this time from a 5 metre scrum near the Ponte line. The scrummage wheeled, but number 8 Brett Sylph picked up and drove over for the score and Ash Smith was on target with the easy conversion; 19 – 8.
Park now keen to collect a valuable bonus point were going for their fourth try, but Pontefract defended well to keep the visitors out, until the 73 minute when Park were awarded a scrum near the Pontefract line. Park had dominated the scrum for much of the game and the clean ball was fed to scrum half John Scott from Brett Sylph at 8. Dave Griffiths then took a well timed pass to crash over the line, but the try was unconverted.
With only seven minutes remaining and Park 24 – 8 up, the game looked to be in the bag, however the home side had other ideas. Last week Pontefract won in the last minute against Old Brods 32 – 28, having trailed at one stage 21 – 0. They weren’t about to give up on this game, and speedy right wing Simon Spears finished off a good try going close to the posts to assist Andy Dean with the conversion attempt and the deficit was cut to 24 – 15.
Park regrouped and found themselves in a good attacking position with a Pontefract scrum close to their own line. The ball was won against the head and Brett Sylph picked up. With men over Park looked certain to score, but the pass was wayward and Pontefract regained possession, to set up an attack which ended 90 yards up field with Andy Deans scoring in the 82 minute. The conversion was missed, but a resurgent Pontefract side had the belief they could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The game restarted and with the referee signalling the last play of the game, Park won a scrum and the ball was passed back to Marcus Rutter to kick the ball off the pitch to end the game. Unfortunately, Marcus took his eye off the ball and knocked on, giving Pontefract a scrum near half way and a last play to inflict a shock defeat on the league leaders.
The Park pack spared their full back’s blushes and proceeded to win the scrum against the head and John Scott passed to Ash Smith to clear the ball into the proverbial row Z, and Park had a bonus point win, but not without a struggle at the end.
With West Hartlepool also gaining a bonus point win over Old Brods, they are hot on Park’s heels only a point behind in second place, but with a game in hand.
At home, Percy Park Lions were due to play Horden II in a Candy League Division 2 game. Park were on the pitch warming up when a phone call came through that Horden were not travelling, much to the annoyance of referee and players alike. This did however allow the Lions a valuable squad training session, in preparation for their all important clash at home next week to Gateshead II, who are the only team to have beaten the Lions so far, in the league this season.
The Pumas won 24 – 22 away against Jarrovians I.
Next week all five of Park’s sides are in action with the 1st XV playing Team Northumbria at home. The Pumas and Marauders both play Blyth and the Academy entertain Scarborough.