1st XV Reports 10/11

Bitter sweet Cup triumph

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PERCY PARK 31 – 25 TYNEDALE RAIDERS

George Purdy Pressures Tyndale's Defense

The understated celebrations that greeted the final whistle proved that Park had still not totally overcome the massive disappointment of losing the promotion play off four days earlier. The history books show that Percy Park had not won the Northumberland Senior Cup since 1958, so to both win the cup and finish in the highest league placing in the club’s history, is testimony to the hard work of the players and coaches throughout the season.

The final took place at McCracken Park, and a good sized crowd saw Tynedale kick off at 6.30pm on the dot in bright sunny conditions, on a firm surface. During the first 20 minutes Borthwick and Rutter exchanged penalty goals, and Park led 9 – 6 until Ali Gray surged down the right wing to score in the corner for Tyne just before half time. Borthwick missed the conversion but the Corbridge side went in to the break 11- 9 up.

Park started the second half in the best possible manner with a try with only a minute played. Ash Smith made a surging break and was unlucky to be pulled up for a forward pass. From the resulting scrum, Park’s pack dominance put the Tyne scrum under huge pressure and scrum half John Scott, stole the ball at the back of the scrum and spun the ball wide for Martin Shaw to go in at the corner. Referee Wayne Falla consulted his touch judge before awarding the try, and although the conversion was short of the mark Park now led 14 – 11.

Burnage snatch promotion with last kick of the game

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Percy Park 26 – 27 Burnage

Ali Blair About to Score Parks First Try

Promotion to National 3 North eluded Park, as the game was snatched from them in the 85^th minute. Runners up of North 1 east and North 1 West met to decide who would join West Hartlepool and Altringham and Kersall in the National leagues next season, and it was the west side that showed the early promise racking up 10 points in the first 10 minutes.

Going into the game both side’s league records were identical having won all but 3 games and one draw. Park earned home advantage due to having scored more bonus points, but it was the visitors who drew first blood inside 4 minutes when Sam Jennings cut through the Park defence in midfield to score, and the conversion by Adam Knight was made good.

Park came back at Burnage and were awarded a penalty, and with Marcus Rutter warming the bench, kicking duties fell to Ash Smith, who missed with his attempt at goal. On 10 minutes however Knight added to the Burnage total with a penalty and the visitors were 10 – 0 up in as many minutes.

Rovers routed in final league game

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PERCY PARK 54 – 6 HARTLEPOOL ROVERS

Golden Boots Marcus Rutter

Although Percy Park had already guaranteed the play off place in North 1 East, this win should give home advantage, subject to official confirmation from the RFU North Competitions Committee. The play off match will be against Burnage who finished runners up in North 1 West. The date is still to be confirmed although it is likely to be Saturday 23^rd April 2011, as neither club has a game that day and this was the original play off date, despite many other clubs still playing to complete their league program.

Rovers travelled to Preston Avenue, already knowing that next season they will be playing in Durham and Northumberland 1, and Park fielded much the same side that won mid week against Morpeth in the cup.

Rover kicked off with the wind in their sails, but conceded a try inside 2 minutes, when David Griffiths spun through a tackle on the line after dummying his way to the posts. Marcus Rutter converted, and 7 – 0 up Park were off to the best of starts.

Percy Park were much the more dominant pack but were penalised in the first 2 scrums for driving up then boring in. The home side did incur the wrath of exchange referee Richard Loton on several occasions and were penalised for various misdemeanours, but a penalty on 8 minutes gave Chris Sainty the chance to convert for Rovers.

Park hit straight back with their first attack from the restart. From a scrum in the Rovers half, Ponton picked up and passed to John Scott who sped up the blind side and offloaded to Thomas Turnbull in space, for the left wing to cross the line for a try, which Rutter converted. Rovers then had a further penalty chance but Sainty was wide of the mark.

Park through to County Cup Final

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Percy Park 80 – 17 Morpeth

Park booked their place in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup, with an emphatic 12 try win over Morpeth last night. To be fair to the visitors they had one eye on their league game at the weekend against Old Crossleyans, so rested some of their regular 1^st XV, but that doesn’t take away the fact that Park took their opportunities and played an exciting brand of 15 man rugby with backs and forwards all working well as a unit.

The try fest was started by Thomas Turnbull on 5 minutes, and then a further 8 first half tries followed from Griffiths (2), Williamson, Shaw, Blair, Dunn, Baldwin and Fidler. Marcus Rutter regained his kicking "mojo" with an excellent display with the boot slotting 10 out of 12 conversions on the night.

With the game won at half time 59 – 0, Park made several substitutions. A further 3 converted tries followed from Barlow, and Stock (2). Morpeth came back with 3 tries of their own with one converted.

The final is to be at Northern FC on 27^th April 2011 KO 6.30 where Park will meet Tynedale Raiders, who won the other semi-final at Druid Park against Gosforth 36 – 15.

Preston Avenue play off beckons

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Durham City 24 – 26 Percy Park

Ali Blair About to Score Parks First Try

Hollow Drift doesn’t bring out the best in Percy Park, and a conversion attempt well into injury time could have earned a draw for the home side, but the kick went wide, and Park move a step closer to having home advantage for the play off which will determine promotion to National 3 North.

Park started like a runaway train and scored after only four minutes through Ali Blair, after a precision chip through by Martin Shaw, found the Park centre in space to dab down the ball over the line. With the absence of Ash Smith, Marcus Rutter assumed kicking duties but missed the conversion.

Four minutes later Park were 10 – 0 to the good after Martin Shaw crossed the line after a solid scrum and pick up from Michael Langlands who had moved to number 8 after the mid week injuries to Brett Sylph and Greg Dixon. Rutter missed the conversion, but had the chance to make amends soon after when the visitors were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Unfortunately Park opted to kick to the corner instead of accepting the three points on offer, and City managed to snuff out the attack after a mis-directed line out.