Regional Two North
Consett RFC v Percy Park RFC
Brave comeback as Wrigley gets his prediction woefully wrong
Percy Park travelled to Amethyst Park rather depleted in numbers and their cause was not helped when second row forward Josh Hedley decided to have a nap before kickoff. Having got over that drama, Josh was joined by Howard Stock on the injured list when the player pulled his hamstring in that same warm up. Fortunately, Howard was able to continue, albeit it didn’t take a physio scientist see the player wasn’t firing on all cylinders. Not the greatest of starts. Not to be downhearted the lack of established players on the team sheet allowed the faithful to run the eye over some up-and-coming combatants; and they didn’t disappoint with Niall Coombe making a strong statement for a run in the side.
That unfortunate start to proceedings carried on into the fixture and made a mockery of Jamie Wrigley’s pre match lunch prediction that Percy Park would win by 100 points to nil. Four minutes was on the clock when Consett crossed our line to take a seven-point lead. Consett enjoyed all the early possession and a skillful drive was stopped short outside, or on, the 22. Numbers counted with Percy Park unable to defend the space Consett’s 15 walked into.
Percy Park wasn’t getting the ‘rub of the green’ as the Durham Society referee was letting the game flow with advantage to the team going forward. Although we got our hands over and onto the ball the decision wouldn’t go our way. The game also failed to stop when the tackled player continued, even though he had both knees and a hand on the floor. We needed hands on ball and some go forward of our own. Matters weren’t helped when Niall Coombe missed his defensive tackle (one of the very few mistakes the player made on the day) allowing space behind which was ruthlessly exploited. The scoring Consett man evading several tackles and continued over the line with Paul Spowart hanging on his back. With the score at 14 to nil and eight minutes played it looked all ‘uphill’ for the visiting team.
The second score seemed to settle the Park side with the forward pack starting to assert their influence on the game. A nudge on in the scrum gave Park advantage going forward and as the ball came down the line a score looked possible, until a unsympathetic bullet pass cannoned off waiting hands. Still, it was progress. We were competing.
Andrew Walker got his hands over the ball, although he hung on the decision did not go his way. We needed bodies in to convince the referee that we wanted to go forward. Realisation dawned following really good work from Nathan Coxon. Nathan shows real promise. The player has quick feet and good strength. We flooded the ruck area and Consett were bounced back. The referee allowed the game to go. Unfortunately, we didn’t take advantage. But the signs were there that the pendulum was beginning to swing our way. Percy Park began to dominate the set piece. The only time Consett got an advantage was by pushing before the ball went in. Even then they couldn’t get clean ball.
A take at the line out by Matty Atkinson was delivered to the onrushing Eddie Saint. As the ball reached his hands Eddie took his eye off the pass and the ball tumbled to the floor. Consett continued to try and get the nudge on in the scrum, failing as hooker Dan Shuttleworth contested their ball. On one occasion he fractionally missed taking the ball against the head. Park were turning the screw and the home support knew it. Consett went to the dark arts holding scrum half Tom Robinson in. Eddie Saint stepped over and got his hands on and on this occasion, we got the shout. It was all about getting forward. Consett didn’t like it and were marched back 10. Park kept the pressure on with Andrew Walker bundled into touch as he sought to take advantage of a line out move. We were knocking on the door and the try came on the half hour mark.
A boot from Andrew Walker spiraled to, just, outside the Consett 22. The throw in was long and overthrown with Dan Shuttleworth collecting at the back. One way traffic as the player crossed the line. Try converted. 14-7. Game on.
A ferocious tackle from Kieran Sutherland had the ground on its feet. Park flooded the contact area and we went forward. Dogged defending from Consett kept the Tyneside team at bay. Another Andrew Walker kick found Kieran Sutherland; the player desperately unlucky not to collect. The resulting scrum wheeled and Consett were given another shot. This time they went backwards and with the penalty decision Park elected to go to the scrum. With the ball at the back Percy Park went forward. Good combination play saw Aaron Smith crash over for a very good forwards try. Score converted 14 all.
Percy Park were in the ascendency and certainly didn’t want the half time whistle to come. Niall Coombe picked the ball out the middle of a ruck and with nobody at home strode into the Consett half. Consett weren’t happy. The referee seeing nothing wrong allowed play to continue. We made really good progress and engineered a 3 onto 2. All we had to do was keep the ball, Consett were pedaling. And that was what we didn’t do. Park kicked the ball away and we went into the half with the faithful knowing we had wasted an attempt on their goal line.
Percy Park started the second half really well. Our forwards were making the hard yards. Aaron Smith and Matty Atkinson combined to take us deep into Consett territory. The ball went to the corner. From the line out Consett were guilty of a little ‘skullduggery’ and found themselves down to 14. Not resting on their laurels Park took advantage and shoved Consett back with Niall Coombe playing heads up rugby to see the gap and get over the line. Try converted 21 to 14. Advantage the away side. Consett a man down.
Mark Sanderson made his way onto the pitch as he replaced tight head Matty Atkinson who left the field with a shoulder injury. Consett also lost their hooker to injury. Percy Park continued to play with a good shape. Nathan Coxon was unlucky not to score as his foot drifted into touch. Park needed to take numerical advantage. The Consett coach was prowling the line organizing his team’s defensive alignment, trying to run the clock down. They succeeded. Back to parity. A strong period of defense moved Percy Park back from the home 22 to the half way line and drawing the penalty. A long kick had Percy Park defending our line. We didn’t pressure the throw and allowed Consett to come on. Kieran Sutherland managing to get his body under the ball. Play went back to a Consett throw in. Thankfully the throw in was that bad we cleared our lines.
For some reason we couldn’t hold onto the ball. Rash mistakes allowed the pendulum to swing back to the Durham side. Twice we were fortunate to hold Consett up on our line. The home side were running good lines and at times we looked ragged. The pressure eventually telling as Consett managed to breach our defense. 21 points to 21.
Young Sam McDonald entered the fray for Howard Stock. Our stand in Captain had put in a good shift and he has our thanks for staying on the field for as long as he did. We were creaking. A game of kick tennis was ended by a poor return from Paul Spowart. A kick that did not go unnoticed as Paul was invited to join the Consett captain in the traditional boat race after the game. The return collected and Consett strode into acres of room. Giving away a penalty in front of our posts was the minimum of damage that might have occurred. 24 to 21. Advantage to the home side.
The game became a bit scrappy and we started to bicker. Honestly wish we could cut that out. Encouragement from the coaching team on the sidelines took us forward attracting a kickable penalty just off centre of the Consett posts. Take the kick and we are even. Inexplicably the penalty kick goes to the corner and we lose possession. Cue more bickering.
As we tire, we start to lose some structure. Ross Young, who has enjoyed a good game throughout, wrestled the ball back. Paul Spowart putting in a monster kick to keep the home side at bay. Gaps were appearing and only a superb chase back and tackle from Andrew Walker prevented a further score. We were hanging on and many of the away support were ruing that opportunity to level the score. Losing bonus points at the forefront of thoughts. Karl Thompson was playing his heart out, encouraging his team forward. The opposite team player coach taking Karl out to keep him away from the action.
And it was that tiredness that told. On the halfway line Tom Robinson was caught at the back of a ruck and as he cleared, or attempted to, Karl Thompson received the ball in an offside position. The clock was ‘running down’ and after a word with the referee the Consett flyhalf elected to kick at goal. And what a shot. The ball clearing the cross bar to gain his team 3 points and ensuring a valuable 6 points distance. 27 to 21
Two minutes remained and Park needed to convert. We tried but in reality, didn’t really look like scoring. On the last play Tom Robinson was on hand to snuff out a threatening attack. 27 to 21 the final score.
The positives on the day was the emergence of several young players. Coombe and Coxon had good games with young Sam McDonald showing some nice touches. Our forwards are a good unit. Work on the training paddock is paying off. When we get through this period of injuries I’m confident that we can turn losing games into victories.You never know Ross might even win a boat race.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 15: Andrew Walker, Nathan Coxon, Ross Young, Howard Stock, Kieran Sutherland, Paul Spowart and Tom Robinson.
From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Niall Coombe, Eddie Saint, Karl Thompson, Matty Atkinson, Daniel Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith.
Finishers: Sam McDonald and Mark Sanderson.