Percy Park travelled to Rockcliff and emphasised the difference in league status with a comprehensive 10 try victory.
This was always going to be a difficult derby match for the hosts playing their rugby in Durham and Northumberland II and the vistors Percy Park two leagues higher in North 2 East. Their task was not made any easier by the unavailability of their Irish contingent, and Park being able to field an almost full strength side.
Park started the brighter of the two sides but there was no score for the first 10 minutes or so. Marcus Rutter, back in the Park side having been out for several weeks, broke through a gap in the Rockcliff defence to score under the posts and convert his own try. The visitors were trying to keep the scoreboard ticking over and opted for a kick at goal from a penalty inside the Rockcliff 10 metre line, but unfortunately the long lay off had taken its toll on the normal accurate boot of Rutter.
Percy Park did extend their lead soon afterwards with tries by Brett Sylph and Thomas Turnbull with Brett converting one, and at half time Park lead 19 - 0. Despite the lead Park hadn't played well and several tries went begging when both Liam Casey and Craig Fidler in separate incidents threw out passes when the more selfish option of going for the line, seemed the best course of action, particularly when the passes went begging.
After a stern talking to at the break to the team by coach James Ponton, and three changes to allow the whole squad a game, the second half performance was much improved, with tries by Wayne Dobson (2), Andrew Rickerby, Andy Dunn, Thomas Turnbull, and Mark Clarkson (2). There were also 2 conversions by Brett Sylph.
Whitley Bay Rockcliff did get on the score sheet when former Park player Liam Bowman playing in the unaccustomed position of fly half powered over the line after a period of pressure by the home side.