WALLSEND 0 - 17 PERCY PARK
Two first half tries were enough to see Park through for the win at Wallsend, in a game hampered by a bitingly raw wind.
Percy Park had the wind advantage in the first half and although they had much of the early possession, determined defence from the home side kept the visitors at bay. It wasn't until 16 minutes into the game that the deadlock was broken with a try by Craig Fidler, after prop Chris Reekie had broken through midfield. The offload to Brett Sylph set up a ruck close to the Wallsend line, and Fidler was on hand to pick up and drive over. Ash Smith converted.
Park's young flyhalf kicked a penalty on 21 minutes when the home team were penalised for going over the top at a ruck, and Park led by 10 points to nil.
Soon after Park stretched their lead winning a line out in the Wallsend half, and Brett Sylph took the ball deep into home side territory. The resulting quick ruck ball was fed to Craig Firth and then David Griffiths at outside centre who cut a great line through the midfield defence, and stepped the full back to score under the posts. Again Ash Smith was accurate with the conversion and Percy Park on 25 minutes were winning 17 - 0.
Wallsend held out until half time, and the supporters were wondering, with such a strong wind advantage to the home side, whether a 17 points advantage would be enough to secure victory.
The green shirted home side had sufficient possession to secure decent ball in the second half, although Park managed to disrupt both their line out and scrummage ball. The best opportunity came after 5 minutes of the second half when with an overlap on the right, fly half Peter Hammil opted for a speculative drop goal which missed and he then incurred the wrath of his forwards.
This seemed to be a key point in the game as from this moment onwards rather than kicking for field position the home team wanted to run everything, and the solid Park defence denied every opportunity to score. In fact in the second half the Preston Avenue side didn't even concede a penalty in their own half, and when in possession of the ball kept it tight for long periods to run the clock down.
The game ended with Percy Park winning 17 - 0 to stay third in Durham & Northumberland 1. For the home side their league status also seems secure when news came through that Ponteland had lost at home to Gosforth and now seem certain to be relegated with West Hartlepool TDSOB.
Percy Park Pumas played Gosforth Phoenix in the Northumberland Third XV cup at Druid Park, winning 41 - 10 to progress to the final for the second year in succession. The first half was an even affair at 10 - 10, but Park cut loose in the second half against the wind scoring 5 tries. Park's scorers were Adam Fidler (3), David Sayers, James (titch) Anderson, Pete Middleton and Tony Turner.
Percy Park Marauders came off second best against Blyth III, with several players not turning up, and as a result Park played short.
Next week all four Park senior sides are in action against Alnwick, with firsts and seconds at home and thirds and fourths away, KO 3pm.