Durham and Northumberland 1

West Hartlepool RFC 36 v Percy Park RFC 35

"You couldn’t write it but someone has to!"

With minutes to go the author of this report wrote his article title ‘West hit Card Trouble’ and having done so watched a Park side implode losing a 13 point lead against thirteen players. What was needed was calm collective thinking and what we got was the opposite. A bit like General Custer at The Big Horn or Captain Schettino on the Concordia. The loss of two players galvanised ‘West’ and we appeared to go into panic mode losing two players of our own before losing the game by a point. The cheer that erupted from the clubhouse end was volcanic and was joined by some very dubious daddy dancing. For one moment I thought I had seen Buster Bloodvessel. Still credit where credit is due the West Hartlepool side worked together and refused to be beaten and we applaud them for it. Unfortunately for us this has happened before; Huddersfield YM and Durham City away are two games that come to mind. The sharp lesson it provides can be (and should) embraced and taken onto the training field, where hopefully the defeat can be used to develop our young side onto to success in the future. If you like we can call it a re-set after all we are only half way through the season.

The game was all about the second half. The first was ‘nip and tuck’ and all about the catch and drive. West hadn’t lost at home and played with a confidence of a team that should be higher placed in the League. After an early exchange of penalties the first distance in the score line was achieved by a catch and drive from the home side. We responded with a penalty followed by a catch and drive of our own. Nip and tuck.

Both sides had opportunities to score. A poor pass robbed West of a try and a repelled catch and drive from a penalty saw a Park chance go to the wind. The first yellow card of the afternoon was given to the home side as their fly half took a 10 minute break. Although a man down a quick tap and go from West saw Park retreat 10 and then fail to tackle the ball carrier as he weaved across to score. 17-13 at the turn and an even contest.

On the half Percy Park mixed it up bringing Josh Hedley on in the second row. His appearance had an immediate effect for two very different reasons. His instantaneous impact gave us the advantage in the scrum and the ball at the feet of the West eight was less assured. Then Josh was given a yellow all of his own and we ended up a man down. A kick to the corner and West went to the catch and drive and bundled over for the score. 22-13

Our lineout wasn’t working and we weren’t protecting the ball as we should. A change of personnel and Jonny Dubois entered the fray. He like Josh Hedley had an immediate effect. West were penalised and a man down after a deliberate attempt to slow the play. Park went to the line-out and the (you guessed it) the catch and drive with Jonny Dubois getting that all important touch down. The conversion sneaked over. 22-27.A further Park penalty increased the deficit .22-30 and the match time clock was running out for the home side.

With minutes left on the clock a West Hartlepool player fell out with the referee in spectacular blue style and received his marching orders under the colour of red. You could call that colourful exchange of views.

Percy Park made the numerical player number count. Andrew Dunn getting the score. Unfortunatly the conversion wasn’t made, the ball striking the post. At that point it didn’t seem to matter. 22-35 with minutes to go and West Hartlepool shorthanded for the rest of the game. And it was here I made the fatal mistake of making a note of the title of this missive…West Hit Card Trouble…next time I will keep my thoughts to myself and my trap shut….and never to assume the loss of two points will be okay!

What happened? You couldn’t, and it hurts to, write this…Collectively West Hartlepool gave Percy Park a lesson that hopefully we shall never forget. Despite being shorthanded they showed a collective spirit and a desire to win that, when you are up against it, we would do well to replicate. Gaining possession of the ball the home side patiently worked their way down field until they were in a line threatening position. Once there they played keep ball and we went to pot. Michael Langlands attracted the first yellow closely followed by Paul Spowart who (accordingly to the post-match chat with the ref) deliberately slapped the ball away from a receiving West Player. The action preventing a try scoring position. With two players down, Park’s defence in disarray, West coolly fashioned a gap allowing their fly half to score. Conversion taken.29-35.

From the kick off the ball returned to the home side. I believe at this point it was thirteen versus thirteen however West Hartlepool may have been increased to fourteen players. Anyhow… the ball was retained and we lost 10 metres after some ill-timed back chat to the referee. The loss of the ‘10’ was crucial as the metres put the home side in a commanding territorial position. Not wasting the opportunity they worked the ball from left to right. A side step and a roving winger put them in front of the posts. Percy Park were scrambling to prevent a score. Our defence came up but could not prevent the Hartlepool wing from borrowing over to score. Having worked the ball to in front of the posts the conversion was a formality.36-35 and cue the volcanic roar and a Buster Bloodvessel appearance.

The conversion was the last play of a hard fought and even game. Congratulations to West Hartlepool; all you can say is ‘well done’, at least we came away with two bonus points so all was not lost…should have been five though!

Northern on Saturday where hopefully we will give a response…let’s see if we can bring a full house and encourage our team back to winning ways.

Representing Percy Park RFC:

From 15: Paul Spowart, Stephen Turner, Howard Stock (capt), Tom Moore, Andrew Walker, Ash Smith and Joe Cassidy

From 1: Matty Atkinson, Adam Hay, Marc Cook, Michael Langlands, Karl Thompson, Andy Dunn, Jake Smith, and Leo Caulfield.

Finishers: Jonny Dubois, Sam Digman, Josh Hedley.

SUNDERLAND RFC 13 – 29 PERCY PARK RFC

A mostly unmemorable game will be recalled in the future for one of the best tries you’ll see… To quote Max Boyce “and I know cos I was there” 

Park travelled to the Ashbrooke Sports Ground to take on Sunderland with both sides having enforced breaks to the season due to storm Arwen, waterlogged pitch and Covid. Thankfully despite several changes for both teams since Park won 69 – 15 at Preston Avenue back in September 2021 this was for the most part a keenly contested match with the visitors running out winners with a try bonus point.

The rain stayed off, but an overnight downpour left the pitch a bit clarty underfoot and made handling difficult. Park opened the scoring on 5 minutes when lock Josh Hedley went over after bursting through the Sunderland defence and making it to the line, with Paul Spowart adding the extras.

For the rest of the half both sides toughed it out, but the game was a litany of knock-ons, scrums and penalties with both sides defences holding firm. Park lost Jake Smith to the sin bin on 14 minutes for a high tackle and Sunderland’s play maker fly-half Edmundson was forced to leave the field after 30 minutes with an injury. After a stop start 10 minutes or so Park were awarded a kickable penalty just outside the home 22. Opting for a kick to the corner and line out, Park’s efforts were thwarted and pressure relieved when the referee adjudged an infringement had taken place as the black and white pressed for the line.

A couple of minutes later with another penalty to Park in a similar position Paul Spowart stepped up to kick the goal for 3 points as the whistle blew and at the break it was Sunderland 0 – 10 Percy Park.

Durham and Northumberland 1

Percy Park RFC 83 v Hartlepool Rovers RFC 7

Hartlepool kept striving and Park kept scoring.

In our Presidents pre match notes mention was made of ‘a hope’ for a competitive and closer game of late. That hope quickly evaporated as the Hartlepool Rovers alikado’s and team arrived in ‘dribs and drabs’ beset by selection issues, unavailability through injury and post COVID catch up’s. Not forgetting to mention transport problems. As a consequence the game was delayed as (I believe) five stoic Rovers members jumped into a car and drove up arriving late in the day. Percy Park’s thanks go to those players and to Hartlepool for fulfilling the fixture, without complaint, even though they knew they would be in for a tough afternoon. We too have been there…for the faithful all we have to do is cast our mind back to that infamous trip away to Morley where we had to start a game shorthanded, forced to select a player used to playing at prop in the centre and our Director of Rugby arriving with reinforcements as half time approached. We lost handsomely that day and the announcer at Morley proved to be an ungenerous scoundrel sarcastically recording his surprise when we did manage to register a score. Thankfully we are a better than that. Saturday’s game might have ended at 83 to 7 but that was never the story here. This story will always be about character, playing right to the end, taking the result ‘on the chin’ and promising a better game in return. Hartlepool have been around since 1879; as a club they certainly do not lack character and I hope they will look forward to providing a closer game in the return just as we did when we next played Morley and reacquainted with the said Morley announcer!!!

Over the years we have maligned our team for underperforming against opposition that are not as strong as we are…that did not happen here. Player coach Ash Smith and his team have to be congratulated in ensuring their side play ‘what is in front’ and continue to play from first to last. We appear to be developing a ruthless mentality that will be needed in games to come ensuring the chasing pack remain chasing!

The game started with a try….A Leo Caulfield pick up at ‘8’ saw a drive to the defense. Rooted to the spot Caulfield breezed through before committing the Hartlepool full back and releasing the supporting Ash Smith into acres to register the first score. The next came from the long stride of Josh Hedley. Nobody seemed to want to make the tackle and as the ball was moved to the left Thomas Moore was on hand to touch down. Paul Spowart made it three. A series of scrums saw scrum half Joe Cassidy release the back line. A reverse pass to the looping Paul Spowart put Park in space. Ash Smith bulldozed forward to the ruck where Howard Stock was able to pick up and dive over.

A yellow card to Hartlepool for a ‘no hands’ (and high) tackle felled wing Ross Young. Park took advantage taking a scruffy scrum against the head allowing hooker Adam Hay to capitalize from the resulting play. Ash Smith was having a 50/50 with the conversions. Still it didn’t really matter as the scoreboard was only going in one direction. And it was that man who scored the next. Despite being down one Hartlepool kept it tight and had a good period. That said when it went wide…well next over Ash Smith! As the half approached we made a right mess of the ‘last play’ despite Hartlepool kicking the ball back to us…best not dwell on that. Into the half well ahead.

The second started with a mazy run by Ash Smith that took him from inside our 22 to a great attacking position. A position we didn’t waste. Retaining the territory a well-designed lineout move took Percy Park on the roll and over. A well-constructed try. A failure to stop a Michael Langlands charge cost Hartlepool as the resulting pass out wide was collected by Josh Hedley who put in a sublime dinky pass to allow Ross Young the room to score. Same scenario as the away side failed to contain Thomas Moore. The supporting Joe Cassidy was up there and although he had a bit to do the score was made.

A high tackle saw Adam Hay to the bin and for the first time Percy Park were under a bit of pressure. Andy Dunn came into the hooker slot. Shorthanded the Hartlepool 15 slipped through to score under the posts. With a man down Park responded in the right way. A dominant scrum had Hartlepool on the back foot, a Thomas Moore flick with the boot and the resulting inside ball saw Jake Smith over.

Drew Walker entered the fray and had an impact creating a line for Thomas Moore to exploit. The run up the field was finished by a swan dive by Leo Caulfield that looked more like a belly flop than anything artistic…anyway another score on the board!

Just before Park were restored to 15 Ash Smith made one of those a jug avoiding passes when it’s easier to score yourself…having said the beneficiary didn’t complain as Ross Young went over. Three tries a man down. Again I don’t think Adam Hay moved before Leo Caulfield sprinted down the line before passing to ‘his cheery mate’ Joe Cassidy for the scrum half to notch another.

Hartlepool kept striving and Park kept scoring. Drew Walker scoring from an eye catching run that took him the whole length of the field. Hartlepool were okay in the tight yet when the ball went loose or wide they had no answer…tough afternoon on the back foot. 83 to 7 the final score

Represententing Percy Park RFC;

From 15: Ash Smith, Nathan Coxon, Howard Stock, Thomas Moore, Ross Alexander Young, Paul Spowart and Joe Cassidy.

From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Michael Langlands, Karl Thompson, Josh Hedley, Marc Cook, Adam Hay and Sam Digman.

Finishers: Andrew Dunn, Michael Birkett and Andrew Walker.

Northumberland and Durham 1

Percy Park RFC 50 v Whitley Bay Rockliff RFC 0

Percy Park on top in cyclical rugby fortunes

For a derby game the day was erringly quiet. With the 1^st XV entertaining Rockcliff and our Pumas hosting North Shields I did expect (or was that hope) to see a few more familiar faces about Preston Avenue to support their respective sides. For those that did frequent there was plenty of pre-game entertainmeFnt as the Tynemouth League of Gentlemen threw a party that ensured plenty of amber lubricant before whistle time. Enough oil was around to ensure there was plenty of love on the touchline to debate the cyclical cycle of rugby fortune. And it was just as well there was cheery chat as the fixture did not produce a heady brew.

From the kickoff there was only one winner. Eight tries later and 50 points to nil is not derby rugby. I am not sure of the visitor’s game plan other than to stem the tide…for the first 15 minutes the game was stuck in the middle with very little penetration into the 22. Rockcliff defended well and scrummaged better, but they did not have any ‘gan on’. Constant defense is tiring, and it was no surprise when Ross Young burst through three tackles to score under the posts. Seb Reece had a big part cleverly working the space to put the winger in some room…after that .... well…. if we hadn’t have stopped that try from being scored, I am sure words would have been said. With the conversion taken 7 nil.

Thomas Moore was next up. Playing in an unfamiliar role at ‘6’ he didn’t hold back as a gap opened in front of him on the ’10’ channel and he took it. Nathan Coxon had created the play with a strong run before recycled ball put Thomas Moore in possession. After that it was all down to the player. Conversion taken 14-0

A sublime underarm pass from Josh Hedley was eagerly received by Howard Stock. With Howard taking a step inside from his usual wing berth to centre the opportunity to support his colleague was on the money and duly taken. The try caught the eye as the players run started on his own 22. 21-0.

There was little from Rockcliff and at 21-0 Park seemed to lack urgency. The scrummage was well matched. As the scrum wheeled (on more than one occasion) the Rockcliff scrum half was picking the ball out on the 45 and running back past his own players. You could argue that the referee could have given them a bit more but what the supporters wanted was an 8 pick up and go. At least they would have been on the front foot. Running backwards was ‘meat and drink’ to Park.

For the neutral the game needed a spark and it duly arrived. Receiving the ball deep in his own half a sidestep from Ash Smith left an opposition player floundering and with a turn of pace he travelled the pitch unopposed before setting up the pass that brought Ross Young his second of the day. 28-0 at the half.

It didn’t take long for Park to resume the machine. A cutting line from Jake Smith had the Rockcliff defence in trouble and with Tom Robinson able to whip the ball out left Josh Hedley walked the ball under the posts. 33-0.

Inexplicably the visitors decided to kick a penalty. I can understand wanting to put something on the board but the decision to kick instead of having a go for a try summed their afternoon up. And that lack of ambition didn’t aid Percy Park or the contest. Back to the conveyer belt. Next up probably the best individual try of the afternoon. Thomas Moore dinked a ball over the top of his opposing player. Caught the bounce and scored. All done at full speed! Impressive.

Player coach Ash Smith was next in line…Park forwards hammered the five-metre line and Rockcliff touched down creating a restart from behind the posts. Personally, I haven’t seen anybody restart well. All that happens is a weak kick that goes straight to the opposition and…. they score. ‘Surprise, surprise’ …weak kick…ball comes back to Percy Park., we attack the line and recycle. Ash Smith throws the dummy, Rockcliff buy it and he strolls over.45-0

The visitors looked demoralized, and they were tiring. You cannot criticize their effort but defending and defending again without any prospect of some reward is hard work. Percy Park had the upper hand in the scrum and from the back the ball went wide to Nathan Coxon who did all that was asked of him and finished. 50 nil and full time.

It is very easy to forget that we (Percy Park) were once in Rockcliff shoes, and we were walking off the pitch having been well beaten and that is where the bar chat went. Cyclical rugby fortunes. As we look at our home-grown side, they too have an up-and-coming youth set up at Rockcliff that is producing really good players. We at Percy Park are looking forward to the day where we can play our nearest in a league fixture where every player on the pitch is ‘home grown’…now that would be a derby game to look forward to!

Having mentioned the Pumas playing against Shields we won that one as well 12-7. Well, done

Some sad news to end. Many of the faithful will remember Richard Towell. A long-standing supporter who made a valuable and never forgotten contribution to the resurgence of rugby at Percy Park. On Sunday 21^st November Richard passed away following a long illness. From all at Preston Avenue, to Richard and his family, to Adam and James you have our heartfelt condolences.

Representing Percy Park RFC:

From 15: Paul Spowart, Nathan Coxon, Seb Reece, Howard Stock, Ross Alexander Young, Ash Smith, and Tom Robinson.

From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Thomas Moore, Michael Langlands, Josh Hedley, Marc Cook, Adam Hay and Sam Digman.

Finishers: Andrew Clyde, Michael Birkett and Andrew Steinberg.