Park edge ‘The Dancers’ in pre-season game

 

 

 

 

With the game being split into 3 thirty minute periods, both sides took the opportunity to allow their senior players game time. Percy Park looked particularly youthful with a number of former RGS players making their debuts. All impressing with assured performances. Park were also joined by the returning Andrew Steiners (from Blaydon) and Niall Coombe (from an Australian jaunt).

 

The first period was….tentative… with the Westoe 8 impressing. The first try was scored by Toby Davison chasing down a deft kick through by Josh Hedley. A quick response from our Tyneside cousins owed much too some very poor Park defense in failing to stop the Westoe 8 from crossing the line. Next up was ‘our’ Ross with a neat ‘chip and catch’ over his opposite number. Captain Seb Rees extended the lead with a fine individual effort. The final word of the period went to Westoe with a peel at the back of a ‘ruck’ and a score in between the posts. 17-10.

 

 

The second period was far more competitive and often feisty!!...and as a consequence ‘rather’ entertaining. First score went to that Westoe man at 8 who ‘bounced’ the ball over the line…..and that act caused some debate on the sidelines. Karl Thompson was really enjoying the battle and it was great to see him really combative again having been allowed out to play…throughout the period Karl was referred to as ‘AOTP’…and it was AOTP who crossed the line with a typical barn storming effort. Westoe had the final say as they dragged Park across the field, culminating with a wingers score in the left hand corner….22-22

 

The third period produced three tries. The first effort scored by Westoe in an intercept that ‘Chaddas’ will be keen to forget. Although that thought shouldn’t stay with him for too long as he enjoyed a good afternoon with ball in hand. Adam Hay was next on the score sheet concluding a superb passing move. The last score of the day went to Captain Rees who showed, with quick feet, that he was a better dancer than ‘the dancers’. Final score 34-29.

 

For all involved it was a good outing and on first sight Westoe, led by Park junior coach Graeme Smith, will do well in Durham and Northumberland 1. Not having a regular fixture against Westoe in the season is a ‘bit of a miss’ on and off the field. We wish them well.