PERCY PARK LIONS 17 - 5 NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY FRESHERS

With no 1st XV game this week, the Lions took centre stage to play a hastily arranged game against Newcastle University Freshers. The game took place on the far pitch, and just as the game began so did the rain which kept many of the supporters in the bar awaiting the England v New Zealand match.

Park struck first with a try by Phil Thompson on the left wing, although the young Park winger couldn't convert his own try. The University struck back with a try in similar fashion as their left wing scored in the corner and at half time the score line was 5 - 5.

Unfortunately for Berwick , this wasn`t the day that they kick-started their season but the day the Lions finally put the opposition away. Park lined up with Watson, Wafer, Blakey, Clyde, Bartle, Robson, Fidler, Austin, Baldwin, Damien(Frenchie),Gould,  Spowett, Firth, Thompson, Berne subs Pie, Bradley, Mutch. So there was the normal 5/6 changes , some personnel some positional. Coach Jobson gained some much needed assistance on this fine November day from Don Millican aka Dr Death and Mark Carrsy Carr. 

We travelled to face table-topping Northern, or was it Blaydon! On a dreadfully wet day, Park lined up with; Watson, Dunn, Blakey, Dawson, Austin, Wafer, Fidler, Bartle, Baldwin, Spowett, Gould, Walton, Conn, Berne, Barlow, subs, Purdy, Baker, Williamson and Cinema.

Early pressure by Park saw Northern handling in the ruck, but having signaled an infringement against Northern the referee then apologized and gave the decision against Blacks! Anyway Spowett soon had his first shot at goal, but as is the norm was nowhere near, but he soon turned the radar on, 3-0. Park were totally dominating up front, solid in the scrum and pressurizing the line-out. Wafer and Fidler were everywhere and dominating the breakdown, Dunn and Bartle were making strong charges. Park were kicking the corners well, were off-loading in the tackle and had their opponents worried, but despite total dominance Park could only manage another Spowett penalty 6-0. Then disaster, with Park battering the Northern line with a series of short drives young Spowett threw a long pass straight to the pacey Northern left winger who ran the full length to score under the posts. The only justice was that they missed the conversion.

I am really starting to lose my patience with modern technology, this is my 5th attempt at posting this report and each time it gets shorter and shorter , but I guess most of you are aware of that , boom boom !The Lions played Alnwick at home . Cinema Phil did the classic Saturday morning cry off. Chris Dunn , aka Pat Butcher , made a welcome return despite his embarrassing bouts of cramp . Colin Murphy dislocated his finger and has cried off for the next couple of weeks - "backs" !  Joe Wafer scored two cracking tries on the wing , great decision by Coach Jobson. Blakey Bear fell over the try line much to the delight of his fan club , likewise Harry Watson . Spowett kicked a few . We won 34-10 .Many thanks to George Purdy who didnt look out of place running touch , he even managed to con a burger out of Margaret.