West Hartlepool 10 – 0 Percy Park
The cold and wet conditions meant the game was a dour forward orientated battle with conditions resembling the Somme towards the end of the game, and West just edged it with a try and conversion in the 75 minute. In an error strewn game, Park were awarded only 4 penalties, none in kickable positions.
Gareth Forman opened the scoring for the home side with a penalty on 5 minutes, and West had much of the early possession. The scrums were evenly matched and Park had a slight edge in the line outs. The constant stop start and lectures by the referee never allowed either side to gain a foot hold in the game, and when tempers flared in the West in goal area, a fracas developed involving several players which resulted in Langlands for Park and Boatman for West being yellow carded.
There wasn’t much else of note to report in the first half other than a good break by Gareth Foreman and a try saving tackle five yards out by David Griffiths.
In the second half, Park had more possession and territory, and a fine break by Ash Smith saw the Park centre in space up the right hand side, but a mis directed pass to wing Howard Stock saw the ball go into touch, when the better option may have been to go for the line himself.
Minutes later West thought they had scored when a kick from Martin Shaw went straight into the midriff of a West player. The ball was spun out and Luke Watson crossed the line only for play to be brought back for a forward pass which video evidence later showed was a little fortunate for the visitors.
West did make the break through however with five minutes remaining when Jon Boatman made a break from the back of a ruck and from the resulting melee Anth Carr drove over the line. Gareth Foreman kicked the difficult conversion to give the home side a 10 – 0 lead.
Park tried to chase the game and at least gain a losing bonus point but it was not to be and West were the deserved winners on the day. Next week Park meet Durham City at home and West meet third placed Wheatley Hills who have shown fine form in the previous two weeks with big wins against Team Northumbria and Old Crossleyans amassing a hundred points combined without reply. West may have their work cut out as they have several key players missing.
Although the 1st XV lost, there was much to celebrate at Percy Park as for the first time in many seasons Park were able to field 6 sides on the same day, harking back to rugby’s glory days when clubs regularly fielded this many teams. It was Northumberland County cup weekend as the Lions, Pumas, Marauders and Penguins were all in quarter final action. The Lions defeated Corbridge Centurions 33 – 7 in a cup and league double header. This maintains their top spot in the Candy League Division 2, and a win against Alnwick II will see the side in the final, aiming to retain the cup.
The Pumas, who were a little under strength due to the number of teams on the day, lost a close game to Wallsend II 17 – 14, and the Marauders move on to the semi final after a 27 – 0 win at Blyth. The veterans – Percy Park Penguins fielded a strong team of mainly ex 1st XV players from about 10 seasons ago and were comfortable winners 43 – 0. They will play their semi final at home on 12th March 2011. Finally the Academy defeated a good Wigton team 20 – 0 in the league.
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