Candy Division 2 North
Percy Park RFC Lions 29 v Medicals RFc 2nd XV 7
BMW return to drive Park forward
Percy Park Lions faced their toughest test this season from a spirited young Medicals side who really stretched them at times. Bolstered by several senior heads with the return of Ali Blair (B), Phil Morse (M) and Ethan Wilson (W) they fielded their best team of the season and it was just as well. Park dominated the set piece but consistently failed to protect their own ball and the Medicals jackaling cost them dearly in terms of penalties. The wind favoured neither side but the touch kicking of Phil Morse far exceeded that of his opposite number.
It took Park 20 minutes to break down Medicals when some good interplay saw Ethan Wilson score under the posts, converted by Phil Morse. 7-0 to the Lions. Then a period of relative stalemate saw Park defending their lines well but failing to take advantage of their considerable dominance in the scrum . On 30 minutes Ali Blair skipped through the defence to finish a good move 12-0 and that's how it went to the break.
The second half kicked off and Medicals swung the ball out to their left wing following broken play and the winger scorched our defence and finished under the posts.12-7 on 41 minutes.
Park rallied and started to play much better rugby, harsh words from skipper Morsey did the business , Park kept their ball and were prepared to attack in both narrow and wide channels. Dominance in the red zone saw Connor Rogerson power over, kick missed 17-7 so breathing space at last.
Park were getting the rub of the green and having got nothing off the ref first half now seemed to be getting everything as the Medics discipline faltered.
Next to cross was skipper Morse 22-7 Park. The game won,Park started to really throw the ball about and it was one way traffic. The icing on the cake was Steve Turner crossing under the posts. The kick was good and maximum points to the Lions. Job done. WBR next week
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15: Dan Jackson,Cameron Young,Ali Blair,Paddy Hargreaves, Sam McDonald, Phil Morse and Stephen Turner
From 8: Connor Rogerson, Ethan Wilson, Liam Walker,Jamie Guthrie, Ben Butler, Andrew Steinberg, Mark Sanderson and Steven Dryden
Finishers: Ben Morris, Ollie Hutt and Danny Simpson