PERCY PARK 52 – 21 PONTELAND
Durham and Northumberland 1 side Ponteland travelled to Preston Avenue with a squad of players for a warm up game against the Park senior squad, with both clubs still missing some key players due to holidays and unavailability.
The game, played over 4 quarters in brilliant sunshine was a good work out for both sides, with Pont having been promoted as champions of D&N 2 looking to test themselves against higher league opposition in the run up the league season proper on 5th September. The players were also glad of the 24 hour downpour the previous day which made the playing surface a little more yielding.
The Percy Park forwards dominated the first quarter, starving the visitors of any meaningful possession and opened the scoring on 7 minutes as George Purdy barged over for the try. Seven minutes later Ethan Wilson, playing at number 8 scored a try converted by Alex Richards.
Pont hit back with a try by their inside centre who cut through a gap in the Park midfield to score under the posts, and with the conversion the home side led 12 – 7 at the first break.
Both clubs used large squads and there were sweeping changes for the second quarter. Lions captain Steve Lenehan scored next for Park and then lock Karl Thompson crossed the line for Park’s fourth try and the lead stretched to 26 – 7.
Although Percy Park were well on top in the tight, Ponteland looked lively in the back line as their right wing finished off a well worked try as the first half ended, keeping his side in contention at 26 – 14.
Park’s Josh Hedley carried well and was rewarded with a try in the third spell. Although it appeared he would be held up over the line, he used his long reach to dab the ball down for the score and Alex Richards kicked the extra 2 points.
Loose play from the restart saw Pont regain possession and a fly hack through bounced kindly to see their 3rd try of the game.
Former club captain Greg Dixon, back in training pounced on a loose ball over the visitors line for Park’s next try, and right wing Leo Caulfield went over in the corner for a good try started from a scrum and pick up at the back. The ball was shipped wide and Caulfield rounded his man to score the pick of Park’s tries on the day to take the score on to 45 – 21.
Rich Berne brought up the 50, as he breezed through the Pont midfield to score under the post, and Alex Richards conversion was the final act of the game.
The coaches should be pleased enough with the first contact game of the season, and new comers Ricky Hasnip, Gavin Duffy and Mark Hall fitted in well.
Park were scheduled to play National 3 North side Cleckheaton next Saturday, but the game has been cancelled, but a replacement game is being sought.