Regional 2 North

South Shields Westoe RFC 12 v Percy Park RFC 46

Park's back row shine on the Tyne

A comfortable win for the North Shields team as they swopped riverbanks on the Tyne. Although we were missing a few, the side looked awesome on paper and more than capable of dispatching a struggling Westoe side. And so, it proved. Westoe played very well, in possession of the ball for long periods without ever finding the ‘cut’ to score points. Percy Park were disciplined, organised and when they broke Westoe were punished. The game reminded the author of the EFL cup final where Newcastle could not find away through or trouble a Manchester United side. Westoe were good ‘box to box’ but when it came to be in front of goal…enough said.

Percy Park were ahead in minutes and the score reflected the game overall. Westoe enjoyed a fast start pinning Park back in their 22. A mis placed pass was intercepted by Andrew Walker and we were out of the blocks. Although the carrier was brought to ground Percy Park recycled and Westoe were chasing, and failing, to catch Jamie Wrigley who scored in the bottom left-hand corner of the ground. Ash Smith made a difficult conversion look easy. 7 nil to the visiting team with a younger 'Matty' version of Paul ‘Flags’ Jobson waving the linen with some energy and aplomb. Although we will say very little about the ‘Bambi’ style of running!

Undeterred Westoe came straight back with their scrumhalf conducting the play. The fact that he had legs like two ‘pipe cleaners’ didn’t hinder the pace he moved the ball or hinder his carries.

Park were penalised for not rolling away, quickly followed by Andrew Walker being caught offside. We were under pressure; although we didn’t look to be in any real danger. Our back row of Michael Langlands, Mickey Fisher and Chris Reekie were outstanding, constantly picking off their opponents until they too offended and we cleared.

Dan Shuttleworth broke free and unfortunately couldn’t find the pace to ‘out strip’ the recovering Westoe defence. We lost the ball to a penalty and the home side put the visitors under pressure until Paul Spowart took matters into his own hands. Scanning ahead Spowart saw space and demanded the ball. Duley given the centre strode through the Westoe defence. Power and strength took him to the last man. Ash Smith was on his shoulder and deft pass had our player coach under the posts to score a very good try. Easy conversion.14 nil.

Percy Park were playing within a ‘purple patch’. Howard Stock kicked and chased, closely followed by our back row. Mickey Fisher wrapped up the ball receiver and turned him. Michael Langlands gathered the ball and with a Westoe defender hanging onto his ankle placed the ball over the try line. A noted downhill slope on the pitch aiding the kick and chase.

Westoe regrouped retaining the ball well between the 22. Percy Park were giving away far too many penalties and you just had that feeling we were going to be punished. Park had to resort to the exit and transition. Ash Smith and Jamie Wrigley combined well and were unlucky not to add to the scoreline. The home side kept returning to Park territory. What edge they had was blunted by Langlands, Reekie and Fisher. One ‘shot’ from Michael Langlands had the travelling faithful purring. However, the persistent penalty count came home to roost. With Park failing to roll away the referee went to the yellow dispatching Aaron Smith to the bin for ten.

Where Westoe struggled against 15 they certainly didn’t against 14 scoring a really good try. Their blindside intercepted a loose pass and sailed through several attempts to block him. Ash Smith came across and dropped off the tackle. A long pass flew across the field to their winger who was running hard. The player took the ball at pace without missing a step. Park were caught on the ‘flat foot’ and unable to turn. The score made in the corner. The pass making the try. The ball was placed right in front of the advancing player. Great skill. The conversion was difficult and missed. 5 points to 21.

A man down, Percy Park went to the forwards and ‘keep ball’. Something they did with aplomb. Eating up time and territory. The game went to the set piece with Percy Park taking Westoe ball. Westoe went backwards toward their try line. An almighty shove. The ball came back to Park who organised and rumbled forward. Dan Shuttleworth found himself at the back of the drive with ball in hand. Over we went. Unfortunately, we missed the conversion. 5 points to 26.

Restored to 15 Percy Park, annoyingly, kept giving away penalties and Westoe kept coming back. Just before the half Michael Langlands received the ball and was ‘mullered’ for his efforts. Caroline Jones our physio used an awful lot of tape wrapping up his left leg. Into the half time chat.

A large contingent of support had crossed the Tyne for this fixture. Marc Cook was seen to be wearing a snazzy pair of sunglasses. I’m not sure where he thought he was. A cold wet Westoe pitch on a Saturday afternoon does not look like Monte Carlo and the only sportscar that could be seen was battered Ford Escort. Alongside was a grinning Leo Caulfield exhibiting 12 neat stitches across his eye. Leo regaling all around with the story that his brother had abandoned him at the RVI with sufficient cash to get a taxi home. Apparently he had to be rescued by his in-laws.

The game restarted and both sides clashed. Michael Langlands went ‘chest to chest’ and Charley Miller pulled the shirt over the head of his opposite number. The game was getting a bit ‘spicy’ especially when the Westoe eight took revenge on Miller by taking his shirt off his back in the ruck.

We needed to channel our energy into the score and not the physical challenge. A penalty line out gave that opportunity. A neat catch and drive saw the contest fought on the Westoe try line. Chris Reekie ensuring all about him that he had got the ball over. “I’m down. I’m down” was the cry; Attracting the referee to take a look. Try awarded with a jubilant Chris Reekie making a bee line to ‘yours truly’ to make sure the try was recorded for prosperity and not given to Josh Hedley! Apparently, I do that quite often despite the very obvious height disparity. Never mind… the conversion was missed. 5-31

Dan Shuttleworth went off with a shoulder injury and we reshuffled. Ross Young joining the pack. Toby Davison was penalised for crossing as we broke from our 22. From an attacking platform we found ourselves defending, and conceding, as a Westoe forward managed to break free of the maul. Conversion taken. Percy Park responded from the restart. Ross Young ripped the ball from the receivers grasp and set his team on the offence. Paul Spowart was in possession at the breakdown. Aware that Westoe had failed to cover the blind he ordered Charley Miller to his outside. The scrum half reacted and took the ball in a narrow channel crossing to score. Great communication from the pair. Paul Spowart took responsibility for the conversion and was unfortunate with the kick as the ball scraped the nearest post. 12 points to 36.

Keith Laughlin entered the fray and immediately gave away a penalty the transgression put the ‘black and whites’ under further pressure. Injuries were taking their toll. Chris Reekie was off following a clash of heads. Langlands left the fray to be replaced by Tom Robinson coming off the bench to scrum half with Charley Miller moving to…..number 8! Understandably we lost the advantage up front. Tristan Grant stepped up with some terrific carries and Mickey Fisher made tackle after tackle. Westoe had possession but couldn’t find a way through a very determined defence. And it was Tristan Grant who instigated our next score. A huge carry turned Westoe around. With the ball in our three quarters we took the game to the Westoe try line. Josh Hedley making the ground to score the try. As Chris Reekie was off the field of play I’m sure I got this one right. The conversion was missed.12 to 41.

Westoe couldn’t handle Tristan Grant. Another carry saw Percy Park recycle the ball wide to Andrew Walker. The winger kicked past his opposite number and in the chase pulled the Westoe player back by his collar incurring the wrath of the home crowd and the referee. Penalty against was further punished with a walk back for arguing with the man in the middle. Our player fortunate not to see a card.

The home side weren’t so lucky. Percy Park kept the ball moving and a tip passing move (which looked a tad forward) took the away side back to the Westoe line. A score prevented by some skulduggery with one of the Westoe back row seeing yellow. Their loose head was also having a moment with some unseen arm movements. Park retained the ball and moved toward the top right-hand corner where Ross Young provided the extra man to overlap the defence to score. The conversion missed. After the score the game fell away without any further incident or notable mention. Petered out to the whistle. Bonus point win by 46 points to 12. Tristan Grant 'getting the Lion'.

Many thanks to Westoe for their very generous hospitality pre- and post-match. The Hedworth Hotel next door to the ground is a wonderful building and the fare provided was excellent. We all know the difficulties Westoe are enduring with their clubhouse but the lack of should not give visiting clubs the excuse to go straight home after the game. We didn’t.

Representing Percy Park RFC:

From 15: Toby Davison, Jamie Wrigley, Howard Stock, Paul Spowart, Andrew Walker, Ash Smith and Charley Miller.

From 8: Chris Reekie, Mikey Fisher, Michael Langlands, Josh Hedley, Sam Digman, Tristan Grant, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith.

Finishers: Keith Laughlin, Tom Robinson and Ross Young.

Regional 2 North

Percy Park RFC 26 v Middlesborough RFC 7

Dubois does an impression of Fran Cotton as Park enjoy a wrestle in the mud.

Middlesborough travelled ‘en-masse’ to Preston Avenue hoping that they could complete the double over fellow sesquicentennials’ Percy Park. The season’s first encounter went the way of the visiting side by 28 points to 24 in a game that the faithful honestly believed we should have won. Pre match entertainment was provided by President Albi Durhin who informed all attendees that 150 years ‘doesn’t happen overnight’. As the gathering, who included many former players, captains and Presidents fell about laughing the visiting Middlesborough Vice President presented Percy Park with a commemorative plaque that he assured to all was, in all probability, made overnight! Eager anticipation followed as the black and white support made their way to touchline and grandstand to watch their heroes in expectation of a victory. Nothing else would do and the boys did not disappoint.

The game kicked off under gloomy skies that threatened and delivered rain. The pitch was sticky and heavy with the ball quickly becoming difficult to hold. For the first 15 minutes the contest was fought between the two 22’s. Both sides were very competitive. Big carries from both sets of forwards had defences working hard. Middlesborough went to the rumble and had the first meaningful attack to the line. As they drove and mauled a player received the ball in front and as a consequence a good opportunity was lost.

Penalties followed Middlesborough as Percy Park dominated the scrum. They couldn’t compete and when they had made ground lost the ball in the set piece. Finding themselves pinged back deep into their own half. Failure to clear opened up the play for Park to spread the ball stand side. Park fortunate they weren’t penalised for a forward pass and Middlesborough were unlucky to knock the ball on; having worked hard to win the ball back. The scrum went to the penalty with Ash Smith electing the line rather than a ‘pot at posts’. The bold decision was rewarded as Percy Park showed the visiting team how to drive with Aaron Smith touching down for the home side. Conversion taken. It has to be said that many of the faithful were unable to determine who had scored however a strutting chest out Aaron Smith ‘kinda’ gave it away!

Mikey Fisher was enjoying a stand out game with his defensive work at the fore. Hard work and robust tackling saw an ebb and flow punctuated by weather influenced mistakes. Middlesborough came close when their full back entered the line and chipped over. The foot race won by Park wing Andrew Walker, as the two raced toward the Park line. Lack of success at the set piece was beginning to hurt the away side. Middlesborough were enjoying territory but unable to find any quality to take advantage. Punishment came from a strong ‘punch through’ and offload from Chris Reekie. Toby Davison took the ball on before being brought to the halt. As the tackler hung on to the contact scrum half Charley Miller remonstrated before the referee penalised the defending team for failing to roll away. Ash Smith took his side to the corner where the forward pack drove and mauled to the line. Jonny Dubois peeling off on the blind side to score in the corner. Smith converting from out wide. Percy Park into a half time lead at 14 points to nil.

The second half commenced in the gloom where it was becoming difficult to know who was on which team. The mud and wet obscuring club colours. A cross kick had wing Andrew Walker chasing and matched once more with the Middlesborough full back. On this occasion the Teeside man won the race. A high tackle on Mikey Fisher had Ash looking for Middlesborough’s five metre line once more. Park’s forwards were comfortable with the decision. Hooker Dan Shuttleworth was proving ruthless with the throw. Up we went and the gather drove Park to the line. Boro had learnt the first half lesson and quickly brought the ball carrier to ground. Miller spun and moved his forwards toward and in between the posts. Middlesborough threw bodies into the ruck and left themselves light on the outside. Park went wide and a loitering Howard Stock dived over the line. Or was it Seb Reece?....nobody had a clue the only pristine shirt on the field belonged to Andrew Walker! The conversion was tight and missed. 19-0.

The forward battle was taking its toll as Chris Reekie and Aaron Smith left the field. Andrew Dunn and Adam Hay providing the replacement bulk. Both players joining Andrew Walker in the pristine shirt club! Middlesborough forced Park back and remained camped in the home sides half. Middlesborough’s ‘9 and 8’ demonstrating real ability around the field. Two really good players. Percy Park were strong in defence, working hard on the floor, often turning ball much to Middlesborough’s frustration.

The visitors were keen to remain in the fixture, ignoring kickable penalties with kicks to the line in an attempt to get onto the scoreboard in a positive way. On one occasion Park broke from under their posts. Quick hands and a deft chip to the carpark corner turned defence into attack. Although Middlesborough retained their throw. Their desire to move the ball to the wing was anticipated by Leo Caulfield who was able to intercept the pass on their 22. The simplest of run ins had the touch down between the posts giving Ash Smith an easy strike at goal. 26 nil to the home side.

The try proved to be Leo Caulfield last real involvement in the game. A clash of heads with his Captain Seb Reece left the back row forward with a nasty cut to his left eye. Physio Caroline Jones was most concerned about Leo’s good looks admitting to all that she thought Leo was quite ‘the dish’. Those concerns remained as Leo was whisked off to the RVI where, apparently, they do a mean stitch. Coach Keith Laughlin forced to reshuffle his pack with Andrew Dunn joining Josh Hedley in the middle, Dubois went to 8 and Adam Hay went to 6.

The game went back to the middle with Percy Park probably edging the territory. Tom Robinson entered the fray at scrum half adding his pristine shirt to that of , you guessed it, Andrew Walker!...by this time Andrew Dunn and Adam Hay were as indistinct as everybody else. Jonny Dubois was doing a good impression of Fran Cotton.

For the first time in the game Percy Park went backwards at the scrum losing the ball at the feet of Jonny Dubois as the opposition scrum half nipped in and kicked ahead. Andrew Walker ran across the front of the advancing player impeding the run ahead. The penalty was quickly taken. A cross kick had Percy Park scrambling across. A poor pass saw the ball go to ground. Neat footwork had the full back kicking past the rushing defence with the player diving in an attempt to score the try. Marginally beaten to the ball. The play went to the scrum. Middlesborough’s eight picked up and drove forward Boro came round the corner .Parks defence was really good forcing the knock on and the scrum award. We played out the back but the pressure remained on. We couldn’t clear. Knock ons went to the scrum. Middlesborough were camped on and in our 22. Scrum followed scrum. Park kept the visitors at bay and eventually turned ball over. We cleared our lines but only to the half. From the ruck we went left with overlapping players and shot ourselves in the foot as we passed the ball to the opposition who then ran in between the posts unopposed.

Shame for up to that point you had to admire our tenacity and desire not to concede. On the flip side Middlesborough deserved the score for, like Park, they had shown that same tenacity to keep going until they scored. Conversion taken 26-7

Middlesborough ran everything with their scrum half at the heart of their attack. He was keeping Tom Robinson busy and as a consequence Tom’s shirt was as filthy as everybody else. Although they were enjoying possession time was against them. A fine interchange of passes created space for their left wing to break and make a swift dart to the corner. Toby Davison was across and made his tackle, taking the wing into touch. The tackle was brilliant and again demonstrated Park’s desire not to concede even when the game was won. The referee blowing time as the Middlesborough player took to his feet. 26 points to 7. A five point win that saw Percy Park make ground in the table to fourth place. If we can maintain this form a shot at third is on the cards.

Percy Park Lions recorded a good win against Middlesborough’s second string and with the Panthers winning another league game on Sunday, rugby is definitely on the up on the coast.

Representing Percy Park RFC:

From 15: Toby Davison, Andrew Walker, Seb Reece, Paul Spowart, Howard Stock, Ash Smith and Charley Miller.

From 8: Leo ‘the dish’ Caulfield, Jonny Dubois, Mikey Fisher, Josh Hedley, Chris Reekie, Sam Digman, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith.

Finishers: Adam Hay, Tom Robinson and Andrew Dunn.

Regional 2 North

Percy Park RFC 59 v Stockton RFC 5

First half blitz seals the deal

A bonus point try in the 30^th minute of this game had put Percy Park so far ahead of the visiting team there was little chance of any meaningful opposition recovery. Much in the same way as my pint of beer found itself, when pooled across the table, as the Stockton ‘pres’ joined our table for the pre match lunch. As the golden liquid found gaps in our wooden dance floor, so did Percy Park find gaps in Stockton’s defence. A further two tries gave further distance and an unassailable lead at half time. The home pack were so dominant that a wag in the crowd made comment that ‘Stockton are going back like an Italian tank with 5 reverse gears’. Park played this game with real pace. A velocity that had scrum half Charley Miller complaining that he couldn’t breathe. Stockton caught Percy Park on a good day and parity was only achieved when the game went to uncontested scrums.

Sam Digman scored Percy Park’s first try on 8 minutes. Stockton started well but were quickly ground down. In the opening salvos they kept the ball for what seemed like 20 phases. Park were patient and made their tackles driving Stockton back to the half way line where they knocked on. A scrum infringement saw Andrew Walker drill a fine kick to the corner. The line out move went blind before the ball was returned to the middle. Josh Hedley and Chris Reekie made ground before debutant Keith Laughlin took us behind the defensive line. Sam Digman was on hand to find the killer touch. Conversion points taken and Park were ahead by 7.

The second try came curtesy of Charlie Miller. With the try converted and an early 14-point lead taken. The score had the arriving Lindsey Langlands conversing with all around, in an attempt to gain a low down on the game, so she could glibly convince her husband Michael that she had been there from the beginning. She missed a superb try. Paul Spowart was over the ball to steal Stockton ball. The Park player demonstrating great technique. Keith Laughlin provided the muscle to keep Stockton at bay. After that it was all about pace, hands and support. Charley Miller was on the ball like a dart. Andrew Walker made good yards on the right drawing the defending player in before releasing the ball to the supporting Miller on his left shoulder. With an open field Miller could not be caught. Try converted 14 nil to the home side.

A dodgy conversion attempt from fly half Paul Spowart had him flat on his ‘jacksy’ as he tried to put the cream on the top of Dan Shuttleworth’s try. A try missed by Dan’s partner Emily who, like Lindsay Langlands, had arrived late to the game and was not only aghast that Dan had scored, but knew she had to convince him that she had seen his effort. It appears that our Percy Park women like to spin a yarn! Stockton infringed at the ruck. The resulting penalty drilled into the car-park corner. Dan Shuttleworth took the throw and collected the ball off the ‘catch and drive’. Stockton had no answer as Park trundled the length of the 22 to score. A great forwards effort. An unfortunate slip had ‘our’ Spow looking like a upside down tortoise. The ball being collected by an amused Stockton player as the conversion points went begging. 19 points to the good.

Percy Park missed several chances to extend their lead. A move involving wing Kiran Sutherland and Jamie Wrigley came close. On the half hour Michael Langlands crossed for our fourth and bonus point try. Park played out of the back with Jamie Wrigley eating the space, aided by a wicked side step that saw several Stockton players catching air. Andrew Walker picked the ball up from the breakdown and covered the green to the stand side. In the 22 Stockton went off their feet in an attempt to slow the ball down. The resulting scrum saw the visiting team marched backwards. Scrum half Charley Miller having a minor wrestle with his opposite number. Michael Langlands kept the ball at his feet before dropping on the same as he crossed the Stockton line.

The faithful were in a jovial and animated mood. For the home support it was magical stuff that had an excited junior Vice President admonishing the authors head gear. Words used surrounded the resemblance of the author to that of a ferret breeder.

The highlight of the day came from the hands and electric pace of Kieran Sutherland. Strong running had Park to the Stockton try line, where they were unable to control the ball at the back of the ruck. The clearance kick was collected by a backtracking Jamie Wrigley. The full back was enjoying his game and that showed as he confidently stepped outside and in-between two players. Passing the ball, one handed to the supporting Kieran Sutherland. Moving at pace the speedster crashed and brushed aside several attempted tackles and with a little show of his hands stepped the advancing full back on the outside, allowing a clear run to the posts. Easy conversion taken. A debate followed whether Jonny Dubois had a better sided step than Jamie Wrigley. Opinion remains divided! Worryingly Kieran admitted that he would have ‘got the slipper’ if he had failed to score the try. Off whom has not been disclosed. Notwithstanding our safeguarding officer has been informed.

The half was brought to the end by another Percy Park try. Josh Hedley was hiding behind the back line when a disguised pass had the second row galloping through. Stockton were ‘all at sea’. Although the run was stopped the ball was not. The play spread right until the referee interfered with the pass. With the game taken to the scrum, Michael Langlands picked up and placed scrum half Miller into space. A pass on the tackle was collected by the advancing Jamie Wrigley and an unopposed trot to the line. Another conversion. 38 points to nil at the turnaround.

The half time break did not break Percy Park’s rhythm. Stockton were pressed and they were fortunate to have a player in their number who could kick a ball. Some monstrous clearances kept Park at bay and gave his side an opportunity to attack. Parks exit play was fantastic and that side step debate erupted once more as Jonny Dubois exhibited ballerina toes. The ball went to the Stockton line where Park went to the trenches rucking, twisting and rolling over the line. Josh Hedley using his massive frame to score the try. Paul Spowart converting once more.

From the kick off Stockton attacked Park territory. You had the feeling they ere a tad fed up. With aggression and offloads they attacked the posts. Park’s defence was really good forcing the attacking side out wide. Stockton kept at it eventually forcing their way over in the corner. The conversion was missed. 45 points to 5. Percy Park’s response was immediate. Another Wrigley side step (boy did that debate rumble on!) took the home side to the front foot. The ball was moved to the left. Quick hands moved the ball quicker than the Stockton defence. Dan Jackson on hand to finish the move with a score in the south west corner. If the try was good. Paul Spowarts conversion was better. A really good knock secured the 7 points.

A charge down put the home side in a spot of bother before the rangy legs of Josh Hedley found a gap taking his team over the half way line. The move broke down, yet it demonstrated Percy Park’s eagerness to get forward.

The game went uncontested and the play became looser. Stockton were enjoying the freedom at the set piece and were moving the ball really well. Park had to be sharp in defence. Frustration at an inability to break the home line resulted in the away team disrespecting our touch judge’s flag. Throwing the same onto the spectator gallery. Shame really as ‘Jobba’ had placed his flag on the floor to collect an errant ball for the away team, exercising his newly acquired plastic hips. He’s still working on his lifestyle choices.

The game became ‘even’ with Stockton very much on the front foot. As the game wound down Stockton were reduced by one. Chris Reekie drove in low and dipped before the tackling player. The contact was high and appeared about the head, momentarily poleaxing the second row forward. It didn’t look good and created a reaction from our players. With the referee on the spot the visiting player was, correctly, shown the yellow card. Taking advantage of the extra man Percy Park rounded off a fine afternoon with a catch and drive off the line out with, I believe, Andy Dunn getting the touchdown in what was a very brief cameo from the bench. What I can say is that Josh Hedley didn’t score and neither did Paul Spowart or Leo Caulfield! 59 points to 5 at the final whistle.

On a final note, can I assure all reading that this is a serious piece of literature and not a comic book. Please look beyond the headline and the pictures! Big game next week at home to Middlesborough. We need a win to continue our push up the league placings. Your support and voice are valuable to us. Kick off 2pm. See you there.

Representing Percy Park RFC

From 15: Jamie Wrigley, Andrew Walker, Seb Reece, Howard Stock, Kieran Stock, Paul Spowart and Charley Miller.

From 8: Michael Langlands, Jonny Dubois, Keith Laughlin, Chris Reekie, Josh Hedley, Sam Digman, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith.

Finishers: Andy Dunn, Dan Jackson and Marc Barry.

Regional 2 North

Penrith RUFC 43 v Percy Park RFC 35

Its rugby not netball!

A small contingent of the travelling faithful decided to make a weekend of what appeared to be a very attractive fixture to watch. Two sides capable of playing fast open rugby where the result was not certain; what was there not to like? We received a wonderful welcome in a local curry house where the conversation flowed around Newcastle United being a far bigger football club than Sunderland.The night meeting its bleary end in a dodgy bar playing country and western music. Surprisingly one of our number knew all the words to all of the songs! What followed was a weekend of exaggerated revelations and a breakfast reminder of lovers long gone.

Dressed to the nines and smothered in ‘Brut’, we were met by a carriage that barely resembled a motor vehicle. Thankfully a short journey up the hill brought the travelling companions to their destination of choice. There we met old friends who added to the bonhomie with more drink and good fare. The afternoon was set as we wandered over to the stand to watch our heroes in action on a premier RFU AGP pitch. Pristine plastic appreciated by one of the fellows remarking “It looks pretty flat” stunned silence was followed by mirth coupled with a gentle Cumbrian rebuke “It should do mate it cost enough”. The scene was set and all around were in good fettle.

Penrith started the game with real pace. Pace that rocked Park. For some reason we couldn’t lose our bus legs. Within 4 minutes we were a try down and had our first encounter with one of Roger Hargreaves Mr Men prowling within the Penrith technical area. We couldn’t decide whether he was Mr Grumpy or just plain Mr Rude. His side had scored a fine try from a quick ‘tap and go’ utilising space provided by the referee to blitz behind the Park defensive line. Really fast hands had Penrith darting toward the top left hand corner. The support play was really good with the home side crossing the try line as Percy Park desperately tried to cover. Instead of praising his side, Mr Grumpy complained about late tackles intimating that we were a dirty side “If that’s the way you want to play it”. He was buzzing around like a Bee caught in a glass. He obviously didn’t know us as that statement was wearily ridiculous, but at least the travelling support was able to appreciate Penrith’s fast start.

It took two additional minutes for that appreciation to be enhanced. From the kick off Penrith’s 6 Mason Lewthwaite broke the line and the subsequent offload was sublime. Straight through for James Thompson to score his second. 14 nil down and we hadn’t touched the ball! From a home side perspective, you couldn’t have wished for more. For ourselves it was a disaster.

On ten minutes Penrith nearly had a third. A knock on brought a fluid move to the end. The off load from the floor didn't go to hand. Scrum to Percy Park. If you are wondering what was happening to Mr Rude you needn’t worry as he was still caught in his glass. The scrum brought Percy Park some respite. We drew breath and dominated the set piece. Here was a glimpse of the area where we could get ourselves back into the contest. Shrink the game and we had a chance. At this conjecture we couldn’t see it (that would come later) and as we went forward, we tried to move the ball wide only for Paul Spowart to get stripped by Lewthwaite. The Penrith flanker was off and despite valiant high knees chase from hooker Dan Shuttleworth, Lewthwaite was over the line to score. The conversion missed. 19 points to nil, 16 minutes gone and Mr Rude was out of the glass complaining about something or other. He really needed to calm down. The whining brought a frustrated “Its rugby not netball” response from the fellowship.

Another scrum brought Percy Park a free ball. We went to the middle only for Leo Caulfield to have the ball stripped from his possession. Head coach Ash Smith took control and took us down the line to a position where we could attack. The throw was good. We rolled off Josh Hedley. Power and strength took us over, with Jonny Dubois getting the all-important ‘touchdown’. Conversion taken. 19-7. Strangle the game by keeping the ball in the forwards and we had our way back in.

Not only had we had a dawning moment so had Penrith. The Cumbrian side wanted a fast game and at the next scrum moved the ball straight from their 8 to their backs. Although we were off the side quickly we failed to release and the penalty was kicked deep into our 22. Their lineout was disrupted by our forwards. The scrum award won and the ball was cleared. Penrith knew they had to keep the ball moving as we had the advantage in the tight. A lesson not lost on scrum half George Graham who ducked under Michael Langlands flailing arm and was in behind. Sharp passing, coupled with Toby Davison missing the covering tackle, allowed Rob Coward to score the try. 26 points to 7.

Everything Penrith did was about pace. A quick line out came to nothing but we kicked through at the ruck. The penalty was taken…quickly…and Penrith kept the ball alive from the floor. Players constantly moving. Percy Park failed to bring the ball carrier to the wrap up. Penrith went around a static Tristan Grant to score under the posts. A good try. 33 points to 7 and for once Mr Bee was silent. Maybe he was starting to appreciate Mason Lewthwaite’s performance. The player was putting in a shift.

Percy Park started to slow the game down with meaningful possession. Some unfortunate errors gave the ball back; for example Chris Reekie passed the ball into space, Andrew Walker kicked away and Ash Smith was loose with a pass as we found ourselves in a favourable position. Despite the mishaps you could feel we were turning the contest around. Communication in defence was improving and that aided Howard Stock as he put in a great covering tackle. Dan Shuttleworth was getting annoyed. His comrades in the pack encouraging and demonstrating that same determination. All that effort came together from a well worked line out move. Penrith were penalised for not releasing. Ash Smith launched a kick along the line. Percy Park went short with Josh Hedley releasing Chris Reekie to crash over. Conversion taken 33-14 and into the half time team talk.

The second half belonged to the away side. Ash Smith had a handle on the game and his team listened. No sounds of bickering and that silence had the travelling support rubbing their hands. Despite the scoreline you knew if we stuck together we could win the game. Deluded not at all. Penrith had another fast start scoring off the back of the scrum. Going down the blind side with the kick ahead collected. 40-14. The scorer Mason Lewthwaite leaving the field thereafter with what looked like a hamstring tweak.

Percy Park remained in control penalising every infringement by peppering the line, taking Penrith to the set piece. With the home side penalised for holding on the subsequent lineout went to the pick and go. Penrith struggled to contain the Park pack, picking up a yellow card for persistent infringement in the red zone. Further penalties attracted a lecture from the referee. Percy Park decided to take the scrum. As scrum half Joe Cassidy was about to release he was unlawfully impaired. Back to the scrum and to the pick and go. A high tackle had the referee reaching for yellow and another home player despatched. Park had to score and that reward came from the youthful hands of debutante Charlie Turnbull who put Chris Reekie in space to score. Conversion taken 40-21.

Andy Dunn was using the personnel from the bench to inject energy into our performance. A short melee with Dan Shuttleworth in the midst. I’m told a Lancastrian and a Cumbrian rumble is a thing! Must have something to do with old border raids. What was evident? Park were coming back strongly and Penrith were struggling to contain what was now a very dominant Percy Park pack. Although Penrith were restored to 14 they couldn’t prevent another Percy Park score. Leo Caulfield picked a ball from the back of the scrum and set Captain Seb Reece away behind the Penrith defence before releasing wing Howard Stock to score a great try. His efforts converted by Ash Smith, who was having a fine game with the boot. 40 points to 28

Percy Park started to pick up a few injuries of their own with Josh Hedley and Tristan Grant leaving the arena. A reshuffle brought Andy Dunn to the fore. The changes did not affect Percy Park’s momentum with Leo Caulfield keeping Park on the front foot. Percy Park were keeping the ball really well and the physicality of the game was having an effect. Aaron Smith and a Penrith player receiving on field treatment. Park were camped in Penrith’s half. The home side were penalised for holding on. The home crowd along with the Penrith bench were turning on the referee. The tension was building as Percy Park grew. Chris Reekie went on a trundle dragging players in. Although stopped the tackling player stayed there preventing quick ball. The penalty going to the line. Up we went and off the top. Aaron Smith was on hand to muscle over. Conversion taken. 40-35 with three minutes to go.

George Graham had been a handful all game and for the first time in the second half he managed to get loose of the black and white shackle, slipping past a few defenders. The home bench were on their feet. Swift feet took him to our 22 before a fair-haired rocket took him to the floor. Charlie Turnbull chasing the player down to save a possible score. Knock on Percy Park. A Caulfield pick at the back took the game to the middle. We looked good for a break along the blind until the game broke up with a brief flurry of moving arms. It was hard to say who threw the first and to be fair to the referee neither could he. Both captains were brought together and a stern warning was given to both sides.

The resulting play went wide with Percy Park penalised for going in at the side. Penalty to Penrith with a difficult kick from out wide. The home support rejoiced as word filtered that the penalty was the last kick of the game. All we could hope for was the miss. A successful kick would result in the loss of a hard-earned bonus point. As we watched Fraser Nicholson studiously studied the posts before striking high. The kick was good and it has to be said well taken. The punt met with cheers as the game was brought to the close by 43 points to 35.

Congratulations to Penrith for winning a highly entertaining contest. With a better start I am in no doubt that Percy Park could have won and it was testament to their collective that they did so well. Criticism was levelled last week surrounding our ability to self-destruct by disputing decisions and bickering. The lack of all that bane appeared to bring a togetherness to claw their way back into a contest that seemed dead and buried. Many thanks to Tristan Grant for putting himself forward whilst carrying an injury and to Dan Jackson for stepping up to the bench only to rush home to get back to work and finally congratulations to Charlie Turnbull on making his first team debut. His youthful enthusiasm caught the eye.

Representing Percy Park RFC:

From 8: Michael Langlands, Leo Caulfield, Jonny Dubois, Josh Hedley, Chris Reekie, Tristan Grant, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith

From 15: Toby Davison, Andrew Walker, Seb Reece, Paul Spowart, Howard Stock, Ash Smith and Joe Cassidy

Finishers: Andrew Dunn, Charlie Turnbull and Dan Jackson.