National ‘Papa John’s’ Community Plate Competition

Regional 2 Plate North Semi Final

Birkenhead Park RFC 20 v Percy Park RFC 43

Tell me Ma me Ma I won’t be home for tea as I’m going to DMP

This season has seen a real improvement in our rugby. It’s not just about individual skills, we have always had flair players, its more about how we play and manage a game whilst allowing our creative players freedom to express themselves within a system or style of play. Percy Park is an exciting watch and are developing into a very, very good side. Plaudits abounded from the sunshine drenched walls of Birkenhead Park and deservedly so. Plonking myself next to the team dugout I observed two coaches, one on the pitch and one off, encourage, cajole, suggest, positively criticise and remind when needed a group of very receptive players who have bought in to their ethos. Did Percy Park deserve to win this game? Absolutely…...Have they earned the right to play in the Papa John’s Northern Plate Final? Totally. Throughout this campaign of knockout rugby, they have been superb and for one I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey and non-more so than this long trip across the Pennines to Merseyside. We emerged from fog drenched hills into the sun-drenched flat lands of the Merse, nicked the cattle and silverware with some panache before disappearing back into the gloom….. and I loved every minute of it!

Lead Coach Ash Smith reviewed:

“What a day on Saturday!! I think this competition has been brilliant for us and the challenge it’s gave us moving into each round. The performances have got better and better with the increased competition in each game.

On Saturday, I think we withstood their pressure, they had an aggressive defence so we had to really manipulate where we put the ball. The big lads got us going forwards and the backs took their chances and caused utter havoc!!The buzz after the game was one of the best, I’ve felt in park shirt and I’m sure the lads are chomping at it for this weekend”

From the side-lines Coach Keith Laughlin informed the faithful

“During the warm up we were a little nervous. We spoke about just being present and ensuring each scenario was executed rather than getting overwhelmed with a semi-final, away from home, deep in Scouse land!

From the first kick off to the last try by Jonny Dubois we were red hot in attack. It was the best performance of the season and timing couldn’t be better to set up a final next week. The boys have bought in really well to what Ash Smith is putting in place here. Kick returns, kick offs, set piece, open play. We look comfortable in each respective scenario.

We spent 10 mins prior to half time defending and we got away from the process slightly and conceded some sort points with not sticking to our roles. We stuck to this in 2nd half and disrupted the lineout well.

This cup run as ignited something in the squad which I haven’t seen all season, some excellent rugby, combined with the culture they have created should bring about an exciting final”

A flat dry pitch and pleasant spring sunshine gave Percy Park favourable playing conditions and as a consequence the opening salvos were fast quick rugby with Park looking to ‘pass and move’. Birkenhead Park were on the defensive and proved to be very adept to an aggressive rush defence taking away the space in which we could move. Brutal and closely contested period where both sides exhibited their strengths. Birkenhead were about the forward pack and disciplined defence. Percy Park all pace and ruthless attack. For the first 20 minutes both sides wrestled for dominance trading penalties. Park giving away an easy shot at goal for failing to roll away. Birkenhead penalised for holding on as Chris Reekie threatened to take the ball. The referee demonstrating that he wanted a fast-flowing game. Happy for that. 3 all after 20 played.

Percy Park began to edge the contest. Tom Robinson was finding space and the forwards were getting across the gain line. The big hits wearing down the home side defence. Gaps were opening up. Ross Young and Jamie Wrigley asking questions out wide. Birkenhead began to drift and Ash Smith attacked. Not knowing where the ball was going Birkenhead failed to go to the man and Smith was through and behind. With options left and right Smith passed wide to winger Ross Young. A step inside had the defence clutching air. A weave and Young was over for the score. Easy conversion. 3 points to 10.

From the restart Chris Reekie drove his team forward. Birkenhead were back defending. Two home players clashed heads as they attempted to stop Howard Stock. One replaced due to a blood injury leaving the field into the arms of his fiancé who was none too pleased as they were getting married on Sunday. The admonishment was around the subject of wedding photos!! Birkenhead were in trouble and were fortunate not to receive a yellow following 4 penalties in their 22. Percy Park punishing the last following a strong carry from prop Tristan Grant as Birkenhead flooded in from the side. 3 points to 13.

The home sides bench was unhappy. Instructions were belted out and Birkenhead went up the middle taking Park to the ruck. We contested and went wide creating our own opportunities on the overload. Ross Young came over onto his opposite wing and we were down onto the home sides try line. Scramble defence stopped the attack. Park went to the pick and go with Chris Reekie powering over.The conversion was missed. 3 to 18.

Two and half minutes of normal time remained plus time on the stoppage. Birkenhead began to work the forward area of the game. Tristan Grant was penalised for holding on under pressure. Good play from Birkenhead as we couldn’t dislodge the supporting players to release the ball. The home side butchered the attempt on the try line with a forward pass. Fortunately for the home side, the referee had given advantage adjudging Percy Park to be off side. Birkenhead went to the scrum. An 8 pick-up was held over the line by Seb Reece. Brilliant roll tackle to get underneath. We remained pinned and what looked like a clean tackle from Josh Hedley was punished. Birkenhead went to the corner and to the catch and drive. The drive taking them over for a converted try.10 points to 18.

Two minutes on the stopped clock. Instructions from our bench encouraging ‘systems and further encouragement not to be too soft!!.... Loved that. I’m not sure what happened at the kick off but Birkenhead had the ball. Ash Smith intercepted the pass and was away before the referee’s whistle brought him back for being offside. Very harsh. Needed VAR there. On the cusp of half time Birkenhead, correctly went for the three points. Has to be said; a good strong kick had height and length securing the three. Half time 15 points to 18.

From the restart we were straight on the attack. Jonny Dubois was bundled into touch. Two penalties given away for being offside let Birkenhead get out of their 22. We returned gaining a penalty of our own which Smith elected to take to the corner. Kickable. The decision getting a ‘Oohhh’ from the travelling support. Mark Cook was getting excited shouting ‘Come on PERCY’. He got justifiably ridiculed for the shout finally admitting he wasn’t ‘a fan of shouting PERCY’. Neither were we! The line out came to nought as hooker Dan Shuttleworth was adjudged not to have thrown straight. Harsh call.

A clear change of tactics from Birkenhead wrapping the ball up front and as a consequence the contest went to the trenches. The game became a close fought encounter, Aaron Smith and Dan Shuttleworth received injuries and Coach Laughlin began to run his bench. Fresh legs made the difference and we began to get back on top. Seb Reece was having a blinder in the middle of the field and his influence was beginning to show. Gradually we won clean possession and began to pressure the home side into mistakes. The observer felt as if we had crossed that moment where the game could have gone either way. Not that the home support appreciated the intricacies of the moment with shouts of ‘Ridiculous decision referee’ belting out at every turn. Matters not helped when Ross Young took advantage of a slow pass to intercept and run half the pitch to score. Easily converted.

Space was beginning to open up once more. Josh Hedley went through. Instead of backing himself he delayed the moment for a supporting pass and an opportunity went begging. Niall Combe lost the ball in the tackle and Jamie Wrigley was unlucky not to score out wide. We were in killer time and needed points to concrete our dominance. Birkenhead were nervous. They were beginning to chase the game. Jamie Wrigley came through once more. The home side went offside in an attempt to stop the flow. Ash Smith stepped up and took the points

Ross Young was stopped by a superb covering tackle. Josh Hedley was felled as he blew through the defensive line. Jonny Dubois was unfortunate as an offload went slightly forward. Birkenhead were hanging on. We needed that extra push of fresh legs Keith Laughlin freshened up the centre field. The extra impetus took us wide and Ross Young was in at the corner for a great killer try. Try converted and the game stood at 13 points to 35 and ten minutes to go.

The home side received a consolation score as they went with a quick tap to go over. Park adjudged to have been offside in the defence. They converted but momentum was with Percy Park. Time was against the home side preventing a grandstand finish with only 4 to go. Eddie Saint went over the top to concede another penalty against. Birkenhead Park went to the line. Josh Hedley stole the ball. Niall Combe and Michael Langlands interchanged passes before releasing Jonny Dubois for his moment in the Merseyside sun.

A dash to the line evading several tap tackles took the player over before placing the ball to ensure an easy conversion. Duly taken. 20 points to 43 and into the final whistle sparking great celebrations on and off the field. Onward to the final next weekend at Darlington Mowden Park and that chant of victory…

“Tell me ma me ma I won’t be home for tea as I’m off to DMP”

echoed around the ground. The chant provoking a sporting response from home side alikados who jokingly questioned whether anybody in their right mind would willingly visit Darlington. All agreed that the better side had won and in the doing we delved into after match hospitality with drinking competitions and the regaling of stories from yesteryear. It was fun and our thanks go to all at Birkenhead Park RFC. Your company and hospitality were brilliant. A true rugby club exhibiting all that is great about our chosen sport.

The trip home was special with the last word going to Paul Spowart who, being the last player to get back on the bus at a splash and dash pleaded with Mal Fidler not to leave him stranded in a toilet cubicle on the A66 as he was having a ‘number two’…I’m told the decision was touch and go! We stayed and Spow came out vaping!!

Representing Percy Park

From 15: Jamie Wrigley, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Paul Spowart, Ross Young, Ash Smith, and Tom Robinson

From 8: Michael Langlands, Jonny Dubois, Niall Combe, Josh Hedley, Chris Reekie, Tristan Grant, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith.

Finishers: Joe Cassidy, Eddie Saint, Andrew Walker and Adam Hay.

---