NATIONAL 3 NORTH
PERCY PARK 32 – 25 ROSSENDALE
Percy Park moved out of the relegation zone with a bonus point win over Rossendale lifting themselves 2 places above Waterloo and leapfrogging Billingham. Park opened with the best possible start as Jack Davidson powered over for a try inside 3 minutes after a superb break down the right hand flank by Michael Langlands. The Park skipper drew the covering defender and found blindside Davidson on his shoulder to take the pass and make the 22 metres to the line taking the last defender out as he did so. The Todd Harrison conversion gave Park a 7 – 0 lead.
As Park were pressing for a possible second try Rossendale's right wing Danny Harrison picked up a telegraphed pass and snapped up the interception to run 70 metres to bring his side level on 9 minutes after fullback Steven Nutt had slotted the conversion. This score took the wind from Park's sails temporarily and problems were compounded when fullback Toby Davison was sin binned for a technical infringement. Nutt kicked his side ahead from the resulting penalty.
With Park a man down Ben Bell scored in the right hand corner after Rich Berne had found space and set him away. Playing second row, Bell showed his flanker pace and made the line with ease. A 
difficult conversion chance was missed but Park were ahead again.
No sooner had Park been restored to their full compliment when Stu Cannon was sent to the bin for slowing down Rossendale ball and Steven Nutt kicked his side back in front on 33 minutes.
Bang on half time the visitors extended their lead as ex Northampton and Sale man James Bramhall crossed for a try under the posts which Nutt converted to give his side a 20 – 12 lead at the break.
Percy Park as they had done last week against Morley out-scrummaged their opposition, and the Rossendale pack struggled against the Park eight. In a 5 minute spell early in the second half Park were awarded several penalties and opted each time for scrums, and despite repeated infringements by the defending pack no one was shown yellow. A quick tap 5 metres out from yet another penalty saw scrum half George Lewis offload to James Ponton who crashed over for the try which remained unconverted.
When Park were awarded a kickable penalty on 64 minutes Todd Harrison stepped up and kicked the goal to level the scores.
Three minutes later Todd was sin binned for back chat to the referee and for the third time in the game Park were down to 14. As if to even things up a little the Rossendale number 8 Simon Walker was sent to the bin 2 minutes later.
Percy Park had the wind advantage in the second period and kept Rossendale back in their own half for long spells. From one such attack, the Lancashire side tried to run the ball out from behind their own posts and a crunching tackle from Jack Davidson saw scrum half Jamie Albinson spill the ball over the line and Ali Blair pounced on the loose ball gratefully accepting the gifted try and bonus point. The conversion by Toby Davison took Park in front 27 – 20.
With 5 minutes left of normal time Rossendale turned defence into attack and found themselves camped on the Park 22. Seeing winger Harrison in acres of spaces wide right, James Bramhall placed a well positioned cross field kick straight to the winger who caught the ball and stepped inside the covering defence to score his second try of the game and bring his side back to within 2 points. The conversion against the wind was missed and Park retained a slender lead.
In the line out department, Park were on great form as Andy Dunn found his jumpers with accuracy. The stats would also confirm that Park stole more than their fair share of Rossendale ball too, with the visitors regularly opting for quick ball for their back line off the top of the line out, whereas Park preferred the catch and drive.
With only a minute or so remaining Park were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch on the defending side's 22. The ball was caught and driven and attempts to pull down the maul were brushed aside as Park continued the relentless drive for the line. The 20 metre drive ended with Andy Dunn securing the ball at the back and going over for the try to give his side the 32 – 25 win. The conversion was wide but the final whistle was music to the ears.
Next week Park travel to Sandal and given the improved form over the last 3 games earning 8 valuable league points, it might be worth a couple of bob on Park upsetting the form book.
CANDY LEAGUE DIVISION 1
ALNWICK II 7 – 65 PERCY PARK LIONS
In a precursor to next week's County Cup final, Park were runaway winners at Alnwick scoring 65 points in the process. The venue for the final is still to be announced but the game will kick off at 2pm, with the Percy Park Penguins taking on Tynedale Vets at 4pm.
PERCY PARK MARAUDERS 0 – 18 WHITLEY BAY ROCKCLIFF VIKINGS
In a bad week for cry offs in the Northumberland Junior Leagues both Park Pumas and Marauders lost their fixtures with their opposition cancelling during the week. Rockcliff Vikings and Rangers also lost both their fixtures with their opponents crying off too, so on Friday afternoon a hastily arranged friendly meant that 30 plus players would get a game of rugby. On the day the Vikings were too strong for a mixed Marauders and Pumas side with the Whitley Bay outfit winning 18 – 0.