Park will be hoping to start next season’s North One East campaign the way they finished off 2009/10, with four consecutive wins, the last of which was a fine win at home to Old Crossleyans. This game should have been played back in January, but was a casualty of the winter snow, so the game was rearranged for 1st May, two weeks after the original closing date of the season.
It has to be said that both teams were not at full strength, but produced a good game of running rugby, assisted in no small part by referee Mickey Reid, who allowed both teams to play, and so entertain the May Day crowd.
It was
Old Crossleyans came back at Park and had ample possession, but nearly scored from an interception when the home side was attacking, but for a try saving tackle by Adam Fidler who chased down the would-be scorer.
The Yorkshiremen did score on ten minutes however when an attack, started in their own half led to a try by wing Leigh Thomas on the wide left, having come off the right wing to join in a good handling move started by play maker Chris Jones. Jones was unable to add the extra points from the conversion, so the scores were now level at 5 – 5.
Although throughout the game the
The game was played in a very combative way with both sides tackling as though their season depended upon it, but on 23 minutes, Crossleyans scrum half James Wainwright saw half a gap, and was through untouched to score a try which was converted by Jones to level the scores 12 – 12.
Just before half time, Old Crossleyans scored another try in the left hand corner with slick handling and strong direct running which saw Olly Jackson go over. With a missed conversion the visitors led at the break. Park had been under the cosh for the last ten minutes of the half and the
On a sunny day with the ground conditions ideal for running rugby, number eight Greg Dixon got Park off to the brightest of starts scoring in the right hand corner after a minute on the clock, as Park scored from a move from the Old Crossleyans kick off. The conversion went wide across the face of the posts, so again the scores were level at 17 – 17.
With Mike Baker leaving the field due to injury, veteran Thomas Turnbull came to the field and made an immediate impact.
Park were using their line out options well, and from a shortened line out spun the ball out to prop Chris Reekie to crash the ball into the heart of the Old Crocs defence. The visitors were then penalised for not releasing the tackled player, and Rutter stepped up to kick the penalty and give Park a ten point lead.
Old Crossleyans came straight back into the game with a good five minute spell, retaining the ball through several phases, but the Park defence was resolute and held firm. Crossleyans were awarded a kickable penalty, but opted for a quick tap, and an attack which was snuffed out by Park.
With time running out for the travelling side and their support, Park kicked the ball deep into the Crossleyans half and eventual won the ball back from a clearance after some good chasing by young Austin Phillips in the Park second row. Park were awarded a scrum not far from the visitor’s line, and quick ball was fed out to the back line. Ash Smith showed electric pace to sprint through a gap in the defence and scored a try on 83 minutes under the post. Rutter’s conversion was the last play of the game which Park had won 34 -17.
A good end to a mixed season, but having been promoted last year from Durham & Northumberland 1, the aim was to consolidate in the new league which was achieved.