Percy Park Pumas 17 - 5 Ashington III
The Pumas win against Ashington III sets up an interesting quarter final clash against Morpeth Edwardians who demolished Whitley Bay Rockcliff Vikings 48 - 0 at Mitford Road.
Playing in atrocious conditions, both sides did well to even finish the game. Park opened the scoring after a period of pressure from Ashington with a try by Jonathan Wall who powered over in the centre allowing Gary Davy the opportunity to convert to take a 7 point lead.
The visitors game plan was to rumble the ball at every opportunity and even the backs seemed more content to maul the ball rather than run it. Nevertheless such a move created their first but only try to bring the scores closer at 7 - 5.
Michael Willets for Park scored wide out soon afterwards, but against a fierce cross wind skipper for the day Gary Davy was unable to convert. At half time Park had the slope and some advantage from the cross wind but couldn't capitalize. In a game littered with penalties from both side it was the quick thinking of the Park captain that extended their lead when he took a quick tap penalty and scored under the posts.
Having missed a penalty kick in front of the posts earlier, Gary Davy allowed flyhalf Nick Shepherd to take the conversion, which although in front of the posts missed by an even wider margin, and the score line finished Percy Park 17 Ashington III 5.
Morpeth trounced Rockcliff Vikings 48 - 0 to set up a repeat of last years Third XV Cup Final. Lets hope Park can repeat the same result as last year when Ian Bradleys injury time try sealed victory for the Pumas.
Percy Park Marauders fared less well going down 12 - 53 against Alnwick III in the Fourth XV Cup.