Team Northumbria 3 – 20 Percy Park
This was the ideal opportunity to show any doubting Thomas’s that Percy Park were deserving of their league position, and the win moved them up one place above Wheatley Hills who lost by the narrowest of margins at home to Old Brodleians. The acid test will come next week with the mouth-watering clash against leaders West Hartlepool. Although Park remain undefeated in the league so far, and West have lost one game (also to Old Brods), their bonus point record puts them 2 points ahead of Park to top the table. Team Northumbria started the season hopeful of continuing their meteoric rise through the leagues, having gained three promotions in consecutive years since joining the league system in 2007, but two defeats and a draw in the first 7 games saw them in fourth position in North East 1 before the game against Park at Bullocksteads.
Park kicked off the game, having made several changes in the week, to the side that had comprehensively beaten Pontefract the week before. Thomas Turnbull was ruled out with a badly bruised ear, and David Griffiths with a hamstring injury, which meant the versatile Martin Potts, started in the centre with Ash Smith, who moved up from full back. Ali Blair moved to wing, and Alun Barlow came in at full back. Alan Blakey returned to the front row, but his appearance was short lived as he was forced to leave the pitch early in the first half with a recurring injury, which brought in the pugnacious Mal Donald, back into the first XV for the first time this season.
In the early exchanges, the visitors had the upper hand with dominance as expected in the set scrum. Territorial advantage was also with Park in the first 15 minutes, and they were unlucky not to score when John Scott sniping for the line from a scrum on the Northumbria 5 metre line, was taken out by referee James Brown, who seemed none the worse from the first of several collisions during the game.
There were a few early physical exchanges, and warnings issued by the referee to both sides, but Northumbria’s open side was the first to be shown a yellow card for a professional foul. Park opted for a scrum close to the student’s line, and as they drove for the line, the scrummage was dropped, leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty try, which Ash Smith converted on 19 minutes.
Shortly afterwards, Phil Ludford and James Ponton exchanged blows and were both sent to the bin for 10 minutes, but in that time neither side gained any advantage. Team Northumbria were awarded a penalty on 35 minutes but the attempt at goal shaved the upright and stayed out. At half time the score remained 0 – 7.
In the second half the home side kicked a penalty which was converted by full back Mountain, but he was off target with a second soon after.
Both sides cancelled each other out with solid well organised defences, and for the supporters it was a nail biting period. Burly Park lock Michael Langlands went close to scoring but appeared to be impeded and the ball spilled over the line, so Park were awarded a penalty which Smith converted.
Park’s never say die attitude, rewarded them with a try on 79 minutes when left wing Ali Blair scored, after a sublime soft pass by Andy Dunn put him in space down the flank very close to the touch line. A step off the left foot took him past the covering full back to cross the line to score. The cross field wind made goal kicking difficult and Ash Smith couldn’t make good the extras.
Team Northumbria were now under the cosh, as Park continued to press.Surging runs by replacement Simon Greetham (on for Alun Barlow), and Ash Smith took the visitors back into the home 22, and although some how Northumbria retrieved the ball, a misplaced clearance kick found Ali Blair who ran the ball back. The ball was off loaded to Andy Dunn who passed to Martin Potts to power over for the unconverted try. Now in injury time Park still pushed for the fourth try, and an all important bonus point, but time ran out.
This was another strong performance by Percy Park, who with a win next Saturday against West, could go to the top of the table. For the neutral this top of the league clash, should be very exciting with both sides playing an expansive and entertaining style of rugby.
Back at Preston Avenue, Park Lions saw off Gosforth II with a 55 – 12 win, which if results go their way could put them on top of Candy League Division 2. The Pumas lost to a useful Jarrovians 1st XV 37 -12, and the Academy won comfortably away at Northern. Unfortunately Park’s Marauders were unable to continue their assault on Northumberland County League 3b, as Consett III cancelled.