With summer ebbing away, rugby was back on the agenda, as Park entertained RBS Premier Division 2 side Jed Forest, for a pre-season training game before league rugby begins in September. The 1st XV pitch has never looked better, as the recent spell of rain added the finishing touches to all the hard work maintaining the ground during the close season, and the hard work off the pitches by the players was about to be put to the test.
Jed travelled with a squad of about 25 players, whereas Coach James Ponton was looking to give all his training squad a run out, with some 35 players stretching their legs at some point during the afternoon.
The game was split into 4 quarters, and Jed were quickest out of the starting blocks winning the first session by two converted tries to none.
In the second period, the Jedburgh side also kept their noses in front winning 17 – 12 as Adam Fidler scored a try for Park and then Phil Morse crossed wide out with Ash Smith converting one.
Park were mixing and matching the team from both 1st XV and Lions players, featuring several of last year’s Academy players. The home side edged the third period as Oli Gilmore notched a brace of tries.
Both clubs put out a strong side in the final quarter, and Park blew away their Scottish cousins by three tries to nil with scores from Ali Blair (2) and Howard Stock.
Next Saturday the 1st XV squad travel to Corbridge to take on Tynedale Raiders, and the Lions squad travel the short distance to play Whitley Bay Rockcliff 1st XV KO 3pm.
