Percy Park Academy 42 Ponteland 3

Park won the county plate in style yesterday at Border Park RFC against Ponteland. Having defeated our opponents four times this season in league matches Park had to guard against complacency and actually took some time to get into the game as a bright, committed Ponteland side started well, full of fire and passion that rocked Park in the early exchanges. Unsurprisingly Ponteland took a deserved lead, kicking a penalty from a Park off-side on their 22 for 0 - 3. Having had the wake up call Park responded and though territory remained even, their visits into Pont's 22 often led to points being scored. Tries by Davidson, Atkinson and McFarlane were backed up by three conversions by Spowart. McFarlane's try being the pick of the half as it was a great team try finished well by a player with still lots to do to score. Half time score Park 21  Ponteland 3.

With Park having the slope in the second half it was assumed our opponents would have been over run but to their credit Pont battled well and pressured Parks 22 on a number of occasions. Further tries by Irving, Robertson and Cottingham, again all converted by Spowart completed the scoring to make it 42 - 3. Ponteland battled till the end despite having a large casualty list with a number of players having to leave the pitch due to injuries. Their spirit before, during and after the game was top class and hopefully many of these players will remain in senior rugby next year.

Percy Park 17 Blaydon 30

Park hosted it's first midweek floodlit game for the Academy to fulfil a cancelled fixture earlier in the season and what a cracker it was.

The lads were well up for this one having come so close recently, partly erasing the memory of two heavy defeats early season. The ability to finally put out a strong though not full strength side gave Park the confidence to believe that an upset could be on the cards. Both sides produced some exciting rugby that was a credit to colts rugby though Park got punished from their own mistakes by a good Blaydon side.

Percy Park 10 Gosforth 19

Park played a development game introducing a number of under 16's, to a completely different side from the day before. Having put 50 points past Gosforth at Druid Park with our full strength squad this was a chance to blood some of next years potential players while hopefully matching a Gosforth side devoid of any under 18's.

Not a great game, again littered with mistakes by both sides with Park having a slight edge in the forwards against a good Gosforth back line who always threatened to score. Poor covering and tackling led to both tries by Gosforth one of which was converted for a 12 - 0 half time lead.

Morpeth 0 Percy Park 57

Park faced Morpeth in the Northumberland County Plate semi-final and ran out comfortable winners against a plucky home team.

Playing against the wind and slope in the first half Park ran in four tries through Dent, Taylor, Atkinson and Williamson, three of them converted by Spowart. The half was littered with mistakes by both sides but Park seemed to be able to string together forward - back interchanges to make lots of ground and run in tries. Half time score Morpeth 0 Percy Park 26.

Using the wind and slope to good effect most of the second half was played in or around Morpeths 22. Further tries from Wake, Atkinson, Williamson, McMahon and Rutter, followed up by three conversions by Spowart brought up 57 points without reply. A full bench was used to give players a run out in a workmanlike performance to reach through to next weeks final.

Final Score Morpeth 0 Percy Park 57

Man of the match: Tom Brodie