SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH
PERCY PARK 16 – 25 WESTOE
In the over warn cliché Percy Park won the second half, and taking the positives from the game could have sneaked a win with a converted try at the end, but Westoe to their credit defended a 22 – 0 first half lead even if for a spell it was “ squeaky bum time” for their supporters.
The South Shields outfit went into an early lead as Park failed to secure the kick off, and from an overthrown line-out secured the ball which eventually found the hands of Samoan International Lome Fa’atau to cross with a minute on the watch.
The gloomy but dry weather seemed to have permeated Park’s mood as they were unable to break out of their half, and when a clearance kick was charged down by their mobile lighthouse that was centre Chas Popp, he reclaimed the ball to cross under the posts for a try converted by fly half Mellish for 12 – 0 after just 6 minutes.
Percy Park were under pressure and when defending a 5 metre scrum were unable to secure the ball and number eight Scott Powell pounced to capitalise on the error. The try remained unconverted, but with 5 minutes to go in the half Popp scored again to give his side the bonus point try.
The Park coaches Midcalf and Walder couldn’t wait for the break to administer a Fergie style hair drying which seemed to have paid off when Park slotted an early second half penalty from Greetham. Westoe retreated into their shell and gave away a succession of penalties which Toby Davison gratefully converted to keep the home side in the game.
Westoe defended well but eventually scrum half Todd Harrison scored Park’s solitary try after being stopped short but rolled free of the tacklers to cross the whitewash. Toby Davison converted and Park were now within a converted try of taking an unlikely win based on their first half showing.
Westoe then sparked into life and had a concerted spell in the Park 22, but try as they might they could not break the black and white defence eventually settling for a penalty which meant the home side was now just outside bonus point range and needing 2 scores for the win.
Park came straight back and when full back Phil Morse made a break down the left hand wing, and his support player was pulled back inches from the line were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try. The offending Westoe player was shown a yellow card and will time running out Park opted for a kick to the corner for a line out on the 5 metre line rather than going for the difficult penalty shot which could have earned them a losing bonus point.
Westoe defended the line out and saw out play until the final whistle. Percy Park will be hoping to take their second half performance into the game at Beaver Park on Saturday as they meet Beverley RUFC.
DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK 68 – 18 PERCY PARK LIONS
Despite what appears to be a one sided score-line, coach Paul Jobson was pleased with his side’s spirit and strength of character. With several players throughout all the teams being unavailable or injured, Park brought up a few players from their 3rd XV and Academy to travel to the Northern Echo Arena (aptly named with only one man and a dog in the 10,000 seater stadium). The Mowden backs showed their pace and class running in several tries.
Park’s tries came from Eddie Saint and Stevie Irving with Michael Grove kicking 2 penalties and a conversion. Injuries to Jonny Birkett and Karl Thompson added to the walking wounded list, but when Darren Liddle returned to the field after patching up a cut eye, when his side were already 50 points down, this reflected the unity in the camp. The Lions now take a well earned break from league duties until the Candy League placing have been confirmed and the season’s second half fixtures are published.
WESTOE III 47 – 5 PERCY PARK PUMAS
Percy Park had 4 games scheduled for Saturday 7th December but sadly the Marauders (Percy Park’s 4th XV) fixture against local rivals North Shields had to be sacrificed to ensure the Lions and Pumas games could go ahead. Westoe deserved their win which was a major turnaround given the massive score Park Pumas had amassed against them when the 2 sides last met in September 2013. Contrary to a glossy spin put on the result on another web site, Park did not put their 2nd XV up against a Westoe 3rd team at the start of the season, the Lions were too busy playing and winning a game 50 – 20 up at Alnwick on that that day, and of course the 1st XV were playing Westoe 1st XV at Wood Tce, but let’s not let the facts get in the way of a story eh!