SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH
PERCY PARK 26 – 28 SALE
Percy Park went with the side that did so well against Penrith last week, with the only changing to the starting line up being the return of Austin Phillips for the injured Josh Hedley; Sale were missing influential centre Chris Mayor.
Park kicked off and as seems to be the norm these days conceded a try inside 2 minutes when Sale’s wing, John O’Donnell crossed the line in the corner and Liam McGovern kicked the tricky conversion.
6 minutes later and some sloppy kicking allowed a counter attack by the direct running Sale three-quarters and skipper Matt Simpson scored and again McGovern kicked the conversion.
Percy Park then hit back after a bit of good fortune, with Sale spilling the ball in midfield and Stu Findlay picked up and ran half the length of the pitch, to score under the posts for Toby Davison to convert and Park were back in the game.
The home side had a couple of chances to draw level, the best coming when Stu Cannon broke through several tackle 5 metres from the Sale line with Jack Davidson in support but unfortunately he couldn’t get the ball free to his fellow flanker who would have had a simple touchdown.
The visitors looked dangerous when in possession particularly in the counter attack and a try saving tackle by Alex Tilley saved a certain score, but in doing so he received a dead-leg and had to leave the field to be replaced by debutant Olly Walker.
Sale struck again with their back row working well off the back of the scrum with number 8 scoring a converted try on 16 minutes. 21 – 7 down so early in the game could have spelled disaster for Park, but the side dug deep, particularly in the forward pack as they seemed to up their game and started to get on top of their opposite numbers.
Park missed a kickable penalty in front of the posts, and then had one of their best spells of possession going through multiple phases, but to no avail as the Sale defence was impenetrable. With the first period drawing to a close Park had another easy penalty chance but sadly the kick was hooked wide and the half ended Percy Park 7 – 21 Sale.
The game had a real intensity, and in the second half Park had loads of possession, but struggled to break an excellent Sale defensive wall. When Sean Williamson was held up over the line, Park were awarded a 5 metre scrum, at which point Sale brought on fresh legs with 2 front row replacements. Sale took the ball against the head and were able to release the Park stranglehold.
Sale then had a rare foray into the Park 22 and made it count with a try from centre Richard Coskie with Liam McGovern keeping up his 100%record with his 4th straight conversion and now led 28 – 7.
Percy Park now seemed to be getting on top of the visitors as Jack Davidson crossed the try line in the left hand corner only for play to be brought back for a knock on. The ”never say die” attitude of the home team resulted in a penalty try on 76 minutes after several scrums close to the line were collapsed, with the home pack having the Sale scrum in all sorts of problems, compounded when Ben Lloyd was shown a yellow card for punching. Toby Davison kicked the conversion as Park started to claw their way back with time running out.
Doubt seemed to be creeping into the Sale side, made worse when on 80 minutes George Lewis crossed the line after a well timed pass from George Purdy put the winger in for the try. Toby Davison converted and Park were now in losing bonus point territory at 21 – 28.
The clock ticked on into injury time and George Lewis scored again, wider out this time on 84 minutes. The conversion which was to be the last kick of the match and cheers went out, but they were from the travelling supporters as the kick just shaved the outside of the right hand post and Park were denied the draw, but still gained 2 valuable bonus points.
Next week Park’s 1st XV travel to Rossendale.
BLAYDON GEORGIANS 50 – 21 PERCY PARK LIONS
Park’s young second XV lost out to a strong Blaydon side who made the most of their forward dominance.
Next week the Lions are at home to Tynedale Raiders. The Marauders take on Morpeth Stags at Mitford Road with a league and cup double header and the Penguins play their first round cup match at home against Ashington III.