Percy Park 23 – 17 Billingham
There couldn’t be a sterner test than to start a league campaign against a side having come down from the National Leagues, but that was Park’s fate, and they came through with flying colours after the visitors struck first inside the third minute.
In recent seasons, encounters between the two sides have been close, with Park generally dominating the forward battle and the Teesiders coming out ahead in the back division. However Park’s resurgence in the three quarters over the last couple of seasons promised a keener contest.
Park were without the influential Martin Shaw who has moved to Monaco to embark upon a new career, and Andy Dunn made himself unavailable so Jonny Dubois came in at hooker for his league debut.
Billingham kicked off and immediately put Park under pressure. The first piece of possession was quickly moved through the back line with slick handling showing the threat of Chris Hyndman and his men. The visitors scored a superb try, finished off by full back Peter Evans, with a training ground move involving a combination of cut out passes and run-arounds. Evans converted his own try to take the lead 7 – 0.
Although Billingham were an undoubted threat in the backs, Park’s forward pack was dominant in the scrum and line out. On 17 minutes Ali Blair scored after a good advantage was played by referee Peter Stentiford of the Yorkshire Referees Society in his first level six game. The ball was spun wide and Blair feigned to pass to his left to Ash Smith before scything through a gap to score. Marcus Rutter levelled the scores with his conversion.
Moments later Craig Fidler was sin binned for a professional foul but with the Park pack down to seven men, they were still able to out scrummage the men in green and white. In fact whilst down to 14 men, Park stretched their lead from a Rutter penalty after a high tackle on George Purdy.
With Park restored to their full compliment it was Billingham’s turn to play shorthanded for 10 minutes when Peter Evans was sin binned for another high tackle after Park had stolen a ball at the back of a line out through Greg Dixon. The ball was fed out to left wing Howard Stock who surged down the flank but was tackled in the visitors 22 with the tackle being judged dangerous. The Rutter penalty on 36 minutes gave Park a half time lead of 13 – 7.
Park started well in the second period and Ali Blair scored his second try eight minutes in. A good line out to the back was spun to John Scott who gave a well time pass to Blair who had the strength to take several tacklers with him over the line close to the posts. Marcus Rutter was again on target to stretch the lead to 20 – 7. Billingham were not out of the game by any stretch of the imagination and with their potent backs could score from anywhere on the pitch. It was however a try from prop Steve Hutchinson who barged his way over the line after several phases of play. Evans (P) converted and the visitors were back within 6 points.
Both sides had their chances to score, John Scott for Park made a sniping run and found a gap a few yards out only to slip on the greasy surface and the attack was halted. Billingham were running everything and a good wide move out of defence saw Shepherd in space having beaten his man, but an amazing cover tackle by prop Joe Wafer who ran full fifty yards across field to get his man, brought the promising move to an end.
Sadly a good game was marred by the sending off of Michael Langlands for Percy Park on the hour. The Park lock was clearing out in the ruck and was dismissed for allegedly punching, and Percy Park were down to 14 men with 20 minutes remaining.
Rutter and Evans (P) exchanged penalties to take the score to 23 -17. Park retained possession in the forwards for the dying minutes of the game before skipper John Scott kicked the ball into touch to bring the game to an end.
At Billingham both second teams, (coincidentally both Lions), played out a very close game. The home side got off to a great start and at half time were 17 – 0 up. Park got their act together and scored tries through Thomas Turnbull, Adam Fidler and Paddy O’Keefe. Alun Barlow kicked two conversions. Park led 19 – 17 with the game almost won when the home side were awarded a penalty and with the last kick of the game Billingham Lions snatched the win.
Next week Park’s 1st XV travel to Mitford Road to take on Morpeth; the Lions and Morpeth Reivers play at Preston Avenue KO 3pm.