Percy Park travelled to Durham City for their final warm up match, before the league season gets underway next week. Last week with a large squad, Park had just edged it away to Leodensians, whereas City had lost narrowly by the odd score in their game against Horden.
Percy Park travelled to Ponteland for this final game of the 2007/2008 season with the home side already destined for rugby in Durham and Northumberland 2 in September, and the visitors unable to improve on their third place slot. Both sides had pride to play for however, and this was abundantly clear when Pont opened the scoring with only minutes on the clock.
PERCY PARK 13 - 20 NORTHERN
Northern won this game by three tries to one, but were gifted two of their scores by the home side. The game was played in sticky, heavy conditions which didn't really suit either team, who both prefer a firmer surface.
Park Pumas and Tynedale Grasshoppers met again in a repeat of last year's final, with Percy Park hoping to avenge the defeat.
Park had been finalists for the last 3 consecutive years, aiming to repeat their cup final victory of 2006.The game took place at Whitley Bay Rockcliff, and Tynedale were favourites to retain the cup, and opened the scoring with an early penalty kick.
Northumberland Challenge Cup Semi Final
Morpeth 17 - 14 Percy Park
In a repeat of last year's semi final, Park made Morpeth fight all the way for their win, to meet the victors of the other semi final, Tynedale or Northern. In fact Percy Park could have won the match if the catch and drive from a line out in the home side 22, hadn't been adjudged held up, with two minutes remaining on the clock.
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