PERCY PARK 67 – 0 WHITLEY BAY ROCKCLIFF

Both clubs decided to rest 1^st XV players for the annual Boxing Day clash, which this year was staged at Preston Avenue. Rockcliff had more 1^st teamers watching the game in the bar than they had on the pitch, as coach Jack Lambert made it plain that his priority was winning Durham & Northumberland 2, rather than maintaining tradition, much to the chagrin of many of the supporters.

Park fielded a mainly Lions XV with some 1^st XV players in the starting pack and a couple on the bench. Rockcliff did not reveal their team selection until and hour before kick off and in the end fielded a mixed bag of Ist XV, Vikings, Rangers, guests. Some of the travelling supporters felt that a full Rock 1^st XV would have benefitted by testing themselves against a strong side, but that was not to be as Park ran in 11 unanswered tries.

UBS CANDY LEAGUE DIVISION 1

PERCY PARK 48 – 28 DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK

 A blistering second half sealed victory for the Lions as they scored 36 unanswered points to inflict the first league defeat of the season against leaders Darlington Mowden Park II. Park were down in the first 3 minutes when Mowden scored a converted try. Inside 12 minutes the home side went further behind when a clearance kick from the 22 was charged down and signs looked ominous at 0 – 14. When Percy Park conceded another converted try and were behind by 21 points things looked bleaker and it seemed as though the boys in black and white were in for a tough day at the office.

 Then on 28 minutes an inspirational solo try by skipper Jonny Dubois gave his side hope that they could stem the flow of points and hit back

 Mowden responded almost immediately with another converted try to give them an early bonus point and with time ebbing away in the first half, Park were awarded a scrummage in Darlington territory. A number 8 pick up by Jack Davison and a pass to scrum half Stevie Irving set play away down the left hand flank and Oscar Pritchard receive the try scoring pass to go over the line for an unconverted try. The half time whistle went and Park were down 12 – 28 and the supporters could have no perception as to how the tide would turn and Mowden capitulate so spectacularly.