Percy Park 30 – 20 Old Brodleians
This was a pulsating and highly entertaining game, particularly for the neutral, not that there were many neutral supporters at the Preston Avenue ground to see league leaders Percy Park take on third placed Old Brodleians. Last season, Park only managed to take one point from the Yorkshiremen, losing away from home and earning a scrappy draw at home.
Percy Park were awarded a penalty inside the visitors half, and David Griffiths kicked to the corner to set up a line out. The ball was won and Park drove to the line. The first wave was repelled, but then James Ponton crashed the ball up close when the ball was recycled from a ruck. The ball came out again, and this time lock Craig Fidler, powered into the Brods defence taking several tacklers with him, and using all of his 6 foot 6 inch frame to stretch for the line to score on 5 minutes. Ash Smith kicked the conversion, and Park had a deserved 7 – 0 lead.
Old Brodleians hit back almost immediately, showing the pace of their fleet footed backs. Park were in possession, but flanker Ben Hoyle stripped the ball in a tackle a set off a move, which saw skipper “Doc” Holborough breach the Park defence. Desperate tackling stopped the Brods centre, but the ball was shipped wide to Adam Standeven, who went over in the left hand corner for the try. Olly Ackroyd stepped up for the conversion, but couldn’t make the difficult attempt count.
With 14 minutes on the clock, Park scored again through Craig Fidler, in a try set up almost identically to the first, with Dave Griffiths kicking to the corner from a penalty, and James Ponton winning the line out. This time Fidler made a break from 25 metres out and raced for the line beating all defenders for his second score of the day. Ashley Smith was on target again and Park led 14 – 5.
Park were totally dominating the set piece and thought they had scored a third try, when James Ponton barged over the line, only to be denied the score as referee John Ash judged the ball held up over the line. With no TMO at this level of rugby, Park felt somewhat aggrieved, particularly when after the game the photographic evidence pointed to a try. 21 – 5 at this stage would have killed off Brods, but it was they, who came straight back. Park were on the attack, but a wild miss pass in the centre, was intercepted by prop Jamie McLoughlin for the visitors who set up an attack, which was fed out to the backs. A neat chip through by Standeven bounced well for Jack Moon who retrieved the ball to score out wide, to narrow the gap with an unconverted try on 37 minutes.
Brods were living off scraps of possession, but looked very dangerous in the backs, although it was the Park back line that struck next. Andy Dunn, who was carrying the ball at every opportunity, made a break through the visitor’s defensive line and offloaded to Michael Langlands who took the ball and fed full back Alun Barlow who raced for the line to score well into added time in the first half. Ash Smith kicked yet another difficult chance to take Park into the break, 21 – 10 up.
Percy Park had the wind advantage in the second period, but despite having a good deal of the territory and possession, often gave away silly penalties to relieve the pressure on the visitors. Ackroyd had a penalty chance early in the second half but was unable to score, although soon after Ash Smith kicked the first of his three second half penalties to keep the score board ticking over. Ackroyd and Smith exchanged penalties on 66 and 69 minutes as Park led 27 – 13.
Chasing the fourth bonus point in four weeks, Park were awarded a penalty in front of the Old Brods posts, and with only 5 minutes left for play surprisingly opted for the kick at goal rather than the scrum, in which they were totally on top. The kick was good however, as Ash Smith maintained his flawless kicking display.
Park still pressed for the vital fourth try and bonus point and kicked to the corner from another penalty, which was won and a maul set up to drive to the line. Brods managed to steal possession and broke away up field. After several phases, former skipper Ackroyd broke loose to score underneath the posts and converted his own try on 85 minutes.
To the outside eye, three tries each would suggest that Park only won by the superior kicking of Ashley Smith, and although the scoreboard doesn’t lie, it didn’t tell the whole truth, which was the dominance of the Park forwards.
West Hartlepool’s bonus point win over neighbours Rovers, moves them to the top of the league with Park a point behind in second place. Next week the 1st XV travel to Old Crossleyans hoping to maintain their form and gain another vital away win.
And as for that try, you decide.
