PERCY PARK LIONS 47 – 7 MORPETH REIVERS

Park Lions finished off 2011 with an emphatic win over the Reivers in a great second half display which included 5 tries. The conditions were cold and bracing although many supporters braved the elements to watch a thoroughly entertaining game which keeps the Lions in second spot in Candy Division 1.

It was Morpeth who had the better of the early exchanges with Andy Whitfield failing to convert a penalty, and then after some sloppy tackling full back Carl Parkinson broke through the Park back line to score after 4 minutes with Whitfield converting for the 7 – 0 lead. Despite Morpeth having a good deal of the possession throughout the game this was to be their last score of the match.

Park thought they had scored when Simon Greatham drove over the line but referee Mick Donkin judged there to be a double movement, and then some back chat cost Park a further 10 metres as the visitors cleared their lines.

It took the Lions some time to hit back but after 20 minutes Paul Spowart playing fly half saw the Morpeth defence was up flat and chipped through for ex Novos wing Jonny Ward to collect the ball and surge past two Morpeth defenders to score. Spowart then levelled the scores with the conversion.