NORTH 1 EAST

PERCY PARK 21 – 11 POCKLINGTON

Pocklington made the journey from East Yorkshire from their home on Percy Road to Percy Park, looking to bounce back from a shock home defeat last week at the hands of West. Pock have the stingiest defensive record in the league, and that was certainly on show during a fairly uneventful first 20  minutes, in which the visitors on balance had more of the ball.

With low light conditions expected and the visitors in blue and white hoops, Park changed to red shirts.

Ash Smith and Jack Walters traded penalties on 2 and 9 minutes before Park went into a 6 – 3 lead at the end of the first quarter with another Smith penalty after Pocklington were penalised for not releasing the tackled player.

Percy Park scored their first try of the game after a solid scrum near the visitor’s line. Pock are renowned for their strong scrummage, but from the off, their pack were going backwards and on this occasion looked to be on castors. With a command of “use it” from the referee, Park were unable to drive Pock over the line, and Sean Williamson was stopped short, but from the ruck that ensued, John Scott picked up and dummied his way through a gap to score under the posts. Ash Smith converted to move Park ahead 13 – 3.

NORTH ONE EAST

DRIFFIELD 8 - 13   PERCY PARK

This was a low scoring game in which both defences snuffed out most scoring opportunities, and when chances did come along both sides were guilty of errors which made for a frustrating game for the spectators.

Park travelled to Kellythorpe, home of Driffield RUFC through the fog of the Vale of York that threatened to postpone the game with visibility poor, and no wind to blow away the ground level cloud, although the nearer to the venue the more the mist lifted and at kick off time although dark the game went ahead with no problems.

Driffield scored all their points within a minute of kick off, and then a minute from half time with a Robin Kitchen penalty to open proceedings and a John Dervey try before the break, an early Christmas present for the lanky lock forward. In fact both first half tries, the first from Park, emanated from mistakes.

With 8 minutes gone and the visitors putting pressure on the East Yorkshire side, Andy Dunn charged down a clearance kick and followed up to dive over the line to touch down just before team mate Josh Hedley.  The conversion from Ash Smith was pushed wide of the sticks but Park led 5 – 3.

NORTHUMBERLAND SENIOR CUP

BLYTH 0 – 54 PERCY PARK

A comprehensive semi-final win for Park sees them into the final on Easter Saturday at Morpeth where they will take on Team Northumbria. Park had reached the semi with a victory over Morpeth, whereas Blyth secured their spot with a win at the expense of Gosforth.

The sides took to the field on a damp dreary day with floodlights on from the kick off, and it took the visitors only 3 minutes to open their account as right wing George Lewis crossed the try line after a powerful run by number 8 Sean Williamson had opened up the Blyth defence. Ash Smith kicked the conversion for an early 7 – 0 lead.

Percy Park took the opportunity to introduce several of their Lions squad for a taste of 1^st XV rugby, and it was Leo Caulfield who scored Park’s second try after a break by skipper Michael Langlands. Scrum half Jimmy Baldwin was on hand to receive a pass from the Park captain after he was stopped after a forty-yard run. Young flanker Caulfield received the try scoring pass and with Smith’s conversion the scoreboard clicked up 14 – 0.

NORTH ONE EAST

OLD CROSSLEYANS 11  20  PERCY PARK

Week 8 of the 2014/15 league campaign saw Park on their travels through Bronte Country to Calderdale the home of Crossley and Porter Grammar School Old Boys, now simply known as Old Crossleyans.

Old Crocs so far had won only one of their league game, that a convincing one against Driffield, whereas Park travelled on the back of a win last week against league leaders Dinnington.

Both sides had made changes and in Percy Park’s case, Andy Dunn was unable to travel, and John Scott and Alex Tilley, both of whom had put in sterling performances last week were out through injury. Jonny Dubois came in to the side at hooker and Jimmy Baldwin at scrum half, and Guy Pike returned in the centre to partner Ali Blair.

The visitors kicked off with a bright sun warming their backs and were on the score sheet early on with an Ash Smith penalty, which Crossleyans levelled on the 20 minute mark. A minute later Guy Pike crossed the line for Park after a strong run and off-load by Josh Hedley. Ash Smith was on target with the conversion for a 10 – 3 lead.