Durham and Northumberland 1
Percy Park RFC 36 v West Hartlepool RFC 23
Controversial end gives Coach Langlands hidrosis
There was plenty of flow and then a suprising ebb followed by some rule controversy that had many, home and away scratching their heads. The flow delighted with Park exhibiting some blistering pace and deft hands. The ebb proved a concern as the West pack gradually hauled their way back into the game before more flow edged the away team back. All looked well until the final moments, a yellow card brought Percy Park to 14 and controversy!
We all agree that bonus points can make or break a season…the faithful all remember Durham City away…and with West eyeing 2 bonus points right at the end of the contest the Park support acknowledged the need to keep the Hartlepool side out. Without doubt West are a side that will be competitive in this league and Park did not want to give a noted rival two points when zero was on the menu. What happened remains clouded in fog….at 36 to 23 West were pushing hard for the try line …The whistle blew…confusion reigned bodies were on the floor ….Ash Smith took possession of the ball before sprinting along the try area away from the melee to launch the ball straight into touch…. the linesmen put his flag up... can you kick the ball straight out from a drop out behind the posts??...the final whistle blew…followed by polite pandemonium…West were adamant they had been short-changed and denied 2 valuable points…and they let their feelings be known…politely…Percy Park formed the tunnel and with a bemused and relieved look headed straight to Slippys travelling horse box thankful that West hadn’t received a point…Coach Langlands headed for the changing rooms muttering words of anxiety and presenting a very sweaty back and in the saying you now all know what hidrosis means!
As Percy Park entered the field there was a notable silence around the Preston Avenue ground. The Park players had a steely resolve about them that must have frightened the crowd....a bit like Vinnie Jones as he grabbed Gazza’s nuts. Whatever it was they flew ‘out of the blocks’ forcing a knock on and with advantage sent wing Kieran Sutherland toward the bottom left corner flag. As he was taken to the floor he offloaded to the supporting Seb Reece to make the score. A difficult kick ensured that the extra points could not be taken. 5-0 to the home side.
Percy Park kept the ball moving and West Hartlepool struggled to contain the lively home side. As they struggled the penalties mounted allowing Percy Park two reasonable shots at goal. Neither were taken with one kick striking a post. Three strikes missed 8 points not taken.
Park stayed with the game plan and remained camped in the visitors half. Good covering defensive work held the marauding home team at bay. West were defending high and Ash Smith took advantage. A little chip and catch by Howard Stock took player and ball behind the posts Kick taken. 12-0.
A well taken penalty on 20 minutes gave West a start but in the build-up lost their strong running 8 to a hamstring injury. The away side started to play the phases keeping the ball in and as a consequence enjoyed long periods of pressure toward the Park line. Percy Park ground it out and managed to break out turning the game back on its head…We had flow then ebb….then flow. It was a good game to watch
12-3 at half time.
The second half started with Percy Park receiving the ball and it took some time before we were able to make some head way. Leo Caulfield was having a stormer of a game and it was he who put the finishing touch to an aggressive flowing move that had the visitors rapidly going backwards. The conversion was missed 17-3.
The West Hartlepool fly half was not having his best day and conceded ground to the home side. An advantage taken when Andy Dunn made a sublime offload to the eager hands of Kiran Sutherland who skipped over from the try. Many were surprised Kieran caught the ball as he appeared to be carrying one or two carpets! Again the conversion was missed, the ball striking the post. Park were shedding points. 22-3.
West made a tactical change at Fly half and reaped the benefit. The ball went to the tight and Park had to battle to gain possession. Percy Park changed the scrum and rotated on Steven Turner at scrum half replacing the impressive Joe Cassidy (just don’t tell his mum as we will never hear the last of it!).
Deservedly West Hartlepool hit their purple patch. An impressive maul saw the visiting hooker peel away to score deep into the corner. A difficult kick was missed. 22-8.
Park had a period where we looked disjointed and then game went to the ebb. Marc Cook received a blow to the head and ended up leaving the field in a bloody bandage. West took advantage notching another try to bring the game into reach at 22-15 followed by a penalty at 22-18. Langlands was prowling the touch line and his hidrosis was starting to drip. We needed inspiration and we needed the ball in hand. When it came it was a delight. A high ball was caught by Andy Dunn and Turner moved it on. Ash Smith took control. The menacing Majorca bound Ross Young created space for the looping Dunn to put Paul Spowart over. Conversion taken. 29-18.
Turner and Sam Digman were off with injuries to be replaced by the returning Joe Cassidy and Mark Barry From a scrum Smith reversed the play setting Captain Seb Reece into the midfield and then it was all about Caulfield. A little show and pace took him away with Cassidy on his shoulder. A delayed pass put Joe Cassidy in acres and he took the space to score under the posts.36-18. A wag in the crowd was heard to speak “that’s it can we reach the ton”…eh....No…a catalogue of errors allowed West back in at 36-23 and we headed down that tunnel of controversy…Fortunately for the home side the final score remained at 36-23.
Representing Percy Park RFC
From 15…Ross Young, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Paul Spowart, Kiran Sutherland, Ash Smith and Joe Cassidy.
From 8…Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Andrew Dunn, Karl Thompson, Sam Digman, Andrew Steinburg, Adam Hay and Marc Cook.
Finishers: Aaron Smith, Mark Barry and Stephen Turner.
League Fixture
Berwick Bears RFC 20 v Percy Park Lions 24
LIONS ROAR ON THE BORDER
Percy Park Lions travelled to Berwick with only 16 players and a squad who have never really trained together. Absenteeism through injury and unavailability put the fixture in doubt midweek but we decided that we would travel even if short of 15.
Our hosts cordially greeted us and informed us they had 25 players and were happy to lend us players if required showing the good spirit which carried on through the game.
Percy Park's pack started well, debutante Ben Morris coming in at prop ably assisted on the other side of the scrum by the evergreen Mark Jackson. The back row was a destructive unit of Bowart, Clayton and skipper Clyde and they soon started to dominate both set piece and loose.
On 7 minutes a scrum was marched towards the line for Clyde to touch down on 7 minutes, Andrew Walker converted. 7-0 Park. The game settled into a dour struggle, Park were off their feet far too much conceding numerous penalties. Berwick pulled a try back but missed their kick 7-5. On 38 minutes Walker put in a high ball into the Berwick 22, the home defence let the ball bounce which was gratefully received by the lively Danny Simpson who popped inside to Andrew Clyde to cross the line, Walker converted 14-5 at HT.
Stern words at half time did the trick. The defence was more connected and upright and the two man tackles were employed to good effect, but Berwick were constantly rolling on fresh legs but we were tiring. Then the move of the game… quick ball from the impressive McDine (his dad will be pleased although will it be enough to get him away from luxuriating in his armchair to watch?) to Andrew Walker at 10. The 10, 12 drifted then scissored back to Nathan Coxon at 13 who cut through the Berwick defence, Walker continued his run and took the ball back from Coxon and stepped the last man. Duly converted 21-5. Great try…Home and dry we thought.
Mark Jackson came off (I think with old age) replaced by Knoxy. Ben Anderson was shown a yellow with 12 minutes to go so the fighting 14 (that is number of players not that our right winger is a fighting 14) got stuck in (note for the discipline officer…not literally).
A speculative kick by Berwick got a lucky bounce and they crossed the line 21-10. Park went straight back and won a penalty 35 yards out , Walker converted to finish the day with 4 out of 4 , 24-10 surely that was it. But back came Berwick throwing everything at us. The Lions were literally out on their feet and Berwick crossed twice in the last 5 minutes and they were rueing their missed kicks. Final score 24-20 to Park ,there were so many big performances it is impossible to single out individuals this was a massive win for a team who continue to impress.
Representing Percy Park RFC
From 15…Dan Jackson, Danny Simpson, Nathan Coxon, Ben Anderson, Cole Stonebanks, Andrew Walker and Darryl McDine.
From 8…Andrew Clyde, Travis Bowart, Alan Clayton, Sam Huttley, Mark Sanderson, Mark Jackson, Alex Lamb and Ben Morris.
Finishers: James Finn.
