SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH
PERCY PARK 45 – 15 BRADFORD & BINGLEY
Another cracking day for rugby saw Percy Park avenge the home and away defeats to Bradford and Bingley last season. In the end this was a comprehensive bonus point win which takes Park up to 4th place in the league, although few could have guessed the outcome of the game when Bradford prop Ryan Wederell went over for a try with less than a minute played.
Park came back with a penalty from Simon Greetham before the centre had to leave the field with a dead-leg which saw Stevie Irving come on at scrum half with George Lewis moving to stand off to allow Phil Morse to occupy the centre spot with Ali Blair.
Percy Park had to make several changes from last week’s team, with both centres Guy Pike and Alex Tilley being forced on the sidelines with injury. With Alan Blakey unavailable Marc Cook came back into the side after recovering from his injury, and a last minute change saw lock Josh Hedley left out of the side as he had been selected for the Falcons Development XV playing on Monday evening.
The Bradford & Bingley pack had the upper hand in the first 15 minutes with strong scrummaging and Park were under the cosh, but defended remarkably well, and on 20 minutes Ali Blair scored the first of his 2 tries to give the home side a 8-5 lead, although only 2 minutes later scrum half turned fly half Tom Bills equalised for the visitors.
Park came back with another Ali Blair try a minute later as Park reclaimed the kick off and set up camp in the Bees 22. The ball was spun left and after a few phases a delicate pass by Phil Morse saw Blair cut through the defence to score an unconverted try.
For all the Bradford early possession they were now down on the scoreboard and Park struck again as quick ball found James Ponton who broke the gain line and offloaded in the tackle to George Lewis who’s nimble footwork took him over the line for a try which Toby Davison converted and Park led 20 – 8.
The Bees came back in the game and after several minutes entrenched in the Park 22,their stand in scrum half, who was also front row replacement used his bulk to smash his way over after a quickly taken penalty. Tom Bills converted, although there was still time in the half for Park to go further ahead through a Davison penalty on 41 minutes to take Park into the break 23 – 15 up.
Park had the slight wind advantage in the second half which was fully exploited, with long range kicks keeping the bees pinned down in their own 22. Bradford had a player sent to the bin for deliberately slowing the ball down and Morse kicked to the corner. A catch and drive resulted and the black and white pack marched to the line with James Ponton getting the touch down. Toby Davison kicked the extras and Park now had their 4 tries for a bonus point.
With Bradford a man down no sooner were they restored to 15 when another yellow was produced and the were short handed again. Park capitalised and from another catch and drive took play closer to the Bees try line. Although the maul was pulled down scrum half Stevie Irving had a dart at the line but was stopped inches short. From the resulting ruck quick reactions by Liam Scott found his skipper unmarked on the right wing and a quick pass set up Michael Langlands try on 53 minutes and Park were now stretching away at 35 – 15.
A kickable penalty in front of the posts was gratefully accepted as Toby Davison took Park further ahead before 18 year old Ethan Wilson broke through a gap in the Bradford ruck defence to score his 1st XV debut try.
Park were now rampant and a sweeping move from right to left could have resulted in another score, but a momentary lapse saw the ball knocked on with the line beckoning.
Bees lack of discipline at the break down incurred the wrath of referee James Brown once again as open side David Barden was shown a red card for allegedly kneeing a Park player on the ground. Being down to 14 players seemed to inspire the visitors as they picked up their game with nothing but pride at stake with only 7 minutes of time remaining.
Although Bradford and Bingley were unable to add to their score, they also prevented Park from doing so and the game ended 45 – 15 to Percy Park.
This was a good team performance with the hastily re-arranged half back pairing of Irving and Lewis working well to give Park quick ball. Next week with several players due back from injury and unavailability, this will give the selection committee one or two problems in deciding who to leave out.
Next week Park travel to Burnage, to play on their 4G pitch.
UBS CANDY LEAGUE 1
WEST HARTLEPOOL 34 – 10 PERCY PARK LIONS
On the back of a resounding win last week against Billingham, the Lions had a wake up call going down to the West Stags at Brinkburn. Park were somewhat depleted with several call ups to the 1st XV and no fewer than 10 changes from the side last Saturday. Park’s tries came from Ryan Wilson and Matty Marshall.
Next week the Lions play Morpeth Reivers at home KO 3pm.