Percy Park travelled to Durham City for their final warm up match, before the league season gets underway next week. Last week with a large squad, Park had just edged it away to Leodensians, whereas City had lost narrowly by the odd score in their game against Horden.
Both sides were glad of the game which looked an odds on certainty to be cancelled along with most of the other games in the region, due to the torrential rain. The game was switched from Hollow Drift to the University pitches close to the ever rising river which threatened to burst its banks shortly after the game ended.
Park started brightly and were gifted possession soon after the kick off when a wild City pass was picked up and Mark Walton dated through a gap in the home side defence to offload to Simon Greetham to score under the post after less than a minute was on the clock. Rutter kicked the conversion, and the North 2 East side were behind by 7 points to nil.
City regained their composure and tried several driving mauls, which the Park defence easily coped with, but on 19 minutes number 8 Gary Gilmour powered through the visitors defence and scored, but the try remained unconverted.
Park came close to stretching their slender lead when again Mark Walton cut through the Durham midfield, but unfortunately the pass to winger Johnny Gould did not go to hand, and an almost certain try was missed.
It was the ex Horden player Gilmour who took the lead for Durham City with a similar crash over from close range taking defenders with him over the line, and with the conversion, City led 12 - 7 at the break.
Early in the second half, the home side extended the lead with a penalty when Park had been adjudged to be crossing in mid field.
Percy Park soon narrowed the gap with a sustained period of pressure, which saw David Griffiths sneak over through a crowd of players to get the touch down after several driving rucks. With Marcus Rutter having gone off at half time, skipper Brett Sylph took over kicking duties, but his attempt went wide, but Park were now within 3 points, and looked to be in the ascendancy.
City on the other hand seemed devoid of ideas and kicked away much of their possession. Percy Park were now controlling the scummage, and after driving Durham off their own ball, in their 22, the home side lost one of their props to injury and the game went to uncontested scrums which did not suit the visitors stronger pack.
With about 10 minutes remaining Park were awarded a penalty try, after Ashley Smith was tackled without the ball, as he attempted to get the touch down as the ball was chipped over the City try line. With the conversion by Smith, Park took the lead 15 -19, which was how the score remained.
Next week Percy Park 1st XV play Ashington at home. The new balcony is due to be officially opened on the day, and there will be a lunch before the game. Park’s Development team take on Novos II, away, and the Pumas and Marauders play Ashington.