NORTHUMBERLAND NO3 CUP
PERCY PARK PUMAS 12 – 5 MORPETH EDWARDIANS
The Pumas and the Edwardians travelled to Greenfields Alnwick to play the final of the 3rd XV Cup, and although blustery, conditions were dry and fine for what turned out to be a very competitive and close encounter. Park kicked off with the wind advantage in the first half, and had the better of the early exchanges, although once Morpeth found their rhythm, they began to get the upper hand in the scrummage.
Park conceded a number of penalties and Morpeth had an early chance to go ahead but the kick at goal was well wide of the mark.
The Pumas set up an attack inside their own half and back row Adam Fidler broke loose down the left hand flank. Seeing the defensive line up flat he opted for a delicate side foot chip through the gap for wing Ryan Brooke to run on to. Ryan did well to pick up and hold on to the loose ball and finished well for a try in the corner, shrugging off would be tackles in the process. Stephen Baskerville went close with the conversion which just went wide, but Park led 5 – 0 after 25 minutes.
Morpeth had several attacks near the Park line, but excellent defence kept them at bay, and will half time looming they were awarded a penalty in a kickable position, and opted for the shot at goal which hit the post and bounced out allowing Park to clear the lines as the whistle went for half time.
The Edwardians had the wind advantage in the second period, but instead of using this to pin Park in their own half, the Edwardians opted to run the ball and mounted most of the attacks from a number 8 pick up from the base of the scrum or front line out ball. When they did spin it wide they were rewarded with a try in the left hand corner from wing Simon Cox to level the scores. Once again the woodwork came to the aid of Park as the conversion hit the post and stayed out.
With extra time looming, Park came close after a surging run by Chris Dunn. The Pumas captain burst through several tackles and was eventually pulled down short of the line, despite securing the ball Park were inexplicably penalised allowing Morpeth to regroup and clear out of defence.
Both sides used their replacements well, but when Park brought on burly Ian Bradley, (normally a number 8) in the centre, the effect was dynamic. A good line out ball off the top was shipped out to Bradley on the crash, and he punched through the Morpeth defence. Despite the close attention of several Edwardians he continued his run and with great strength drove over the line for a try on 70 minutes which was converted by Stephen Baskerville.
Morpeth threw everything at Park for the next 10 minutes plus a few added on for injuries, but the Pumas held on for Park’s second cup in 2 weeks, with the 1st XV having already won the cup also against Morpeth.
Next week the Pumas play Consett II hoping for a win to secure their chance of a league and cup double.
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