NORTH 1 EAST WEEK 20
PERCY PARK RFC 15 – 36 YORK RUFC
The idiom where the timid curate for fear of offending his bishop comments that the bad egg served up to him for breakfast was “good in parts” goes some way to describing this Park performance against league leaders York.
Earlier in the season, Percy Park had outplayed the Clifton Park side winning 35-15, a rare win on the road, but today’s game was a must win for the boys in black and white to extricate themselves from 12th and final relegation spot in the league.With York playing in a green, black and white shirt, Park changed to red and white to avoid a colour clash.
With a very strong wind blowing from the west York started with the elements in their favour and opened their account after only 5 minutes when lock Cade Robinson powered over for the first try of the game easily converted by Liam Hessay.
After a fine break by Ali Blair, York were penalised for not rolling away from the ruck and a further 10 yards for infringing on the quickly tapped penalty put Park in kicking distance and Ash Smith took the 3 points.
Five minutes later, York stretched their lead with a well taken try with the ball travelling through several pairs of hands before Park ran out of defenders and Sam Elliot went over in the corner. Liam Hessay was again on target to put his side 14 – 3 in front.
On 20 minutes, the York tight head was sent to the bin for slowing down Park ball and after a dominant scrum close to the line, Ruairi Meharg sniped over for a try which remained unconverted to take the score to 8 -14.
With the numerical advantage still in Park’s favour scrum half and joint man of the match Meharg scored his second try after a break by Matty Boustead linking with Ali Blair created a hole in the otherwise solid York defence. Ash Smith converted to put Park in the lead, but some sloppy play gifted the visitors their third try shortly before half time and although Hessay missed the conversion he made up for it just before the break with a penalty to give his team a 15 – 22 lead.
With the strengthening wind at their backs the Park supporters were hoping for better things in the second period, but despite sustained pressure Park couldn’t finish off with any score as time and again handling errors robbed the home side of a score that could have levelled the game.
Park’s woes were compounded when Austin Phillips was sent to the bin on 50 minutes for pulling down a maul, and York scored their bonus point try after a catch and drive was rumbled over the line. The conversion meant Park would need 3 scores to go back in front.
The home side put York under some serious pressure for a good 10 minutes and after a series of penalties Park opted for scrum after scrum on the visitors 5 metre line. Park won the scrum and looked set to drive the visitors back over their line but a lapse at the base of the scrum allowed York scrum half Toby Atkin the chance to pick up loose ball and relieve the pressure.
Park were desperate to get an all important converted try to at least salvage a losing bonus point, but again unforced errors crept in and the pressure on York was relieved before a break away try by Sam Elliot on 82 minutes sealed the win for the league leaders, giving the score-line an unflattering look which didn’t fully reflect Park’s efforts on the day.
Next week Park travel to Hollow Drift to take on fellow strugglers Durham City.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY CUP SEMI-FINAL
PERCY PARK LIONS 45 -19 ALNWICK LIONS
Park’s Lions secured a final place in the Northumberland No2 Cup on 28th March 2020 with a comprehensive win over Alnwick Lions. With Alnwick 2nd XV in the 1st XV Plate competition their 3rd XV were entered into the No2 Cup as were Morpeth Edwardians who will face Park in the final.
Next Friday the Lions play Tynedale Raiders under lights at Preston Avenue ko 7-15pm.