Percy Park 47 Consett 12

Regional 2 North

(HT: 33-7)

After a chastening defeat at Amethyst Park in mid October, our only defeat thus far this season, Park were expecting a tough afternoon against our County Durham opponents notwithstanding their indifferent form of late. Park were looking to maintain their position at the top of Regional 2 North while Consett were looking to arrest their recent slump in form. With our game at Aspatria postponed last weekend, Northern had taken the opportunity to close the gap at the top of the league to just three points so a bonus point win was definitely the aim. An incredible first half had the bonus point secured after just 27 minutes and a further try before the break effectively had the game won by half time. The first half of the game was certainly a Park super show

There were three team changes from our game at Morpeth two weeks ago; Oli Bartles-Smith replaced the unavailable Ash Smith in the centre, James Black replaced Jonny Dubois in the back row and Matt Atkinson replaced Sam Digman in the front row. Both Dubois and Digman were on the replacements bench together with Robin Houghton. Jamie Wrigley and Ross Young remain sidelined through injury.

On a dry, sunny afternoon with little breeze, Park kicked off and were immediately on the attack, forcing an attacking lineout in the right corner. However, the catch and drive did not go quite to plan and an infringement allowed Consett to clear the danger. The start to the game was played at a frantic pace by both sides but after the ball was stolen in midfield Jake Smith was able to power into the Consett 22 and quick hands from Andrew Walker and Leo Caulfield allowed captain Howard Stock, at pace, a run to the right hand corner for an excellent try on 3 minutes. Centre Paul Spowart was unable to kick a difficult conversion (5-0).  

Despite the early setback, Consett began to play themselves back into the game. From the kick off, Park played their way into midfield but were penalised for holding on and this enabled the visitors to apply pressure which they did to good effect. As Consett drove for the line Park were repeatedly penalised by referee George Nuttall for offside with Consett eventually opting for a 5 metre scrum 10 metres infield from the left hand touch line. Several drives were held up by the Park defence, including one huge tackle from James Black, but scrum half Kyle Conellisen weaved his way through the defence to score behind the posts for a well worked try which was converted on 11 minutes by standoff Matthew Grimes (5-7). That really was as good as it got in the first half for Consett as Park took control of the match.

On 19 minutes, after playing themselves deep into the Consett 22, a Park lineout throw was deemed not straight but at the resultant scrum, the Consett 8 were splintered by a huge Park shove which resulted in a Park penalty, kicked to the right corner. The catch and drive were executed perfectly for Dan Shuttleworth to score the try. Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion from wide out (12-7). Just two minutes later Park scored a stunning try straight from the kick off. As they played the ball to their own 22, standoff Fergus Simpson jinked inside two defenders, Jake Smith took it on and slick passing to Oli Bartles-Smith and Lucas Rowell had the full back, from well inside his own half, leave four defenders in his wake as he turned on the gas to power over to the right of the posts for the try of the match. Spowart converted (19-7). 

Almost immediately, Park nearly scored again; Paul Spowart stripped a Consett player of the ball in midfield and as the ball came left, Rowell injected pace but left wing Sam McDonald was tackled as the try line beckoned. From the lineout, Consett struggled to get out of their 22 with Park applying pressure but eventually Grimes attempted a relieving kick. Unfortunately, it did not find touch but Park full back Rowell on halfway who set off at real pace along the right hand touchline evading numerous attempted tackles. An inside pass to Leo Caulfied whose quick hands to James Black had the Park No 8 galloping in under the posts for another stunning try, and the bonus point, on 27 minutes. This was converted by Spowart (26-7).  

The pressure on the Consett defence was unrelenting and after centres Spowart and Bartles-Smith had powered Park back into the Consett 22, a series of drives had Consett concede a penalty almost in front of the posts. A quick tap from Park scrum half Andrew Walker released Chris Reekie who crashed over on 32 minutes. The try was converted by Spowart (33-7). Consett did manage to gain some possession and territory as the first half ended but there was no further scoring.

HT: Percy Park 33 Consett 7

If Consett were to have any chance of reducing the deficit they needed to score first but it was Park, two minutes into the half, who scored their sixth try. From the Consett kick off, Park worked the ball to half way before Spowart kicked the ball into space. The chase put pressure on the Consett defence and the ball was eventually spilled, picked up by the alert Bartles-Smith who gave the scoring pass to Leo Caulfield, ever in support, who scored wide out to the right. Spowart kicked an excellent conversion (40-7).  

Although they continued to enjoy both the lion’s share of possession and territory, Park’s accuracy seemed to desert them and errors abounded. However, on 53 minutes, Consett had a lineout after a Park kick went straight into touch on the Park 10 metre line. As the ball was moved left standoff Fergus Simpson intercepted a pass from Consett skipper Richard Tetley, skipped past his opposite number and outpaced the cover to score to the left of the posts for Spowart to convert (47-7). 

The game settled down over the next ten minutes with Park still enjoying possession and territory but unable to breach a more resolute Consett defence. After 67 minutes, Park were awarded a penalty midway in the visitors half but in front of the posts after Consett were penalised for side entry into a ruck. In an effort to presumably bring up the half century of points, Park elected to kick for goal but Spowart pushed the kick wide. Two minutes later, Consett were again penalised for offside just on their 10 metre line but straight onto the posts but the normally reliable Spowart again pushed the kick wide. 

It was Consett who were to grab the final score; Park were penalised for a high tackle on the visitors 22 and suddenly Consett hooker Jack Yarrell took a quick tap. He evaded two tackles, was tackled, released the ball, regathered and stormed up to half way and when the ball went right full back Jack O’Leary ghosted through the defence and outpaced the cover to score an excellent try on 73 minutes which Grimes was unable to convert (47-12).

As the clock wound down, Park had two excellent chances to score; first, Chris Reekie was adjudged to have knocked on as he charged for the line and seconds later, as the visiting scrum disintegrated Park again knocked on with the line at their mercy.

FT: Percy Park 47 Consett 12

This was a comprehensive victory that keeps Park at the summit of Regional 2 North. After the game, prop Matt Atkinson said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it. Consett are a good team, as they showed at their place, but today we were really on the pace, especially in the first half and we scored some really good tries. I have always thought we are good individually but this season we have really come together as a team, as a squad, and if you look at both packs, I think we were much better drilled. A great win!”.

In the first half, Park were superb, at times scoring at will but they will look at their second half performance where, perhaps, they lost a little bit of focus but that is understandable given that they led by 40 points after 53 minutes. James Black had an immense game in the forwards, Jake Smith and Leo Caulfield were always in the thick of things and the second row pairing of Chris Reekie and Josh Hedley were excellent. Paul Spowart and Oli Bartles-Smith were a highly effective midfield pairing and Lucas Rowell excelled again at full back. For Consett, scrum half Kyle Conellisen was their man-of-the-match as he was playing at stand off in their win over Park earlier in the season, To their credit, they refused to cave in and put up stiff resistance in the second half, frustrating the hosts and scoring an excellent late try. We thank them for a great game played in the right spirit and wish them well for the remainder of the season. Our thanks, as always, to referee George Nuttall from the Manchester and District Society without whom, there is no game. We hope to see you again soon at Preston Avenue. 

Northern defeated Keswick 43-7 on Saturday and remain three points adrift of Park at the top of Regional 2 North, albeit having played one game more.

Park now have back-to-back trips on the road. Next Saturday, we travel to West Hartlepool, KO 2pm and the following week, 10 February, we make the journey to Cumbria to take on Aspatria in a rearranged fixture, KO again at 2pm. Park are next at home on Saturday, 17 February when we take on the inform Durham City, KO 2pm. All support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Lucas Rowell; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Sam McDonald; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jake Smith; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith.

Replacements: Sam Digman; Jonny Dubois; Robin Houghton

Saturday 13 January 2024

Morpeth 12 Percy Park 32

Regional 2 North

(HT: 12-20)

Park travelled the (relatively) short distance along the A192 for their second Regional 2 North league fixture of the new year at Morpeth RFC hoping to further cement their position at the top of the league table. This they did in a hard fought victory and in the process, maintained their excellent record of scoring a try bonus point in every league game played this season. Morpeth have struggled of late but the talk in the Clubhouse pre match was of the need for a strong Morpeth response to their “drubbing” at Durham City last time out and the home side did not disappoint, taking the game to the league leaders in a tough physical contest, particularly in the first half. The visitors made changes due to injury, illness and unavailability with Sam McDonald coming in on the left wing and youth graduate Lucas Rowell, on his Christmas break from Durham University, starting at fullback. Sam Digman started in the front row at tighthead prop.

On a dry, sunny (albeit cold) winter afternoon with very little breeze, Morpeth kicked off towards the Clubhouse with the slight wind at their backs. Rowell showed his intent immediately with a fine run to the left touchline and some good interplay with captain Howard Stock. On 4 minutes, a blistering run by Stock off his wing cut open the Morpeth defence with McDonald outside him with a clear run to the try line but the Captain could not get his pass away before the tackle. In their first meaningful foray into the visitors half, Morpeth were awarded a penalty just outside of the Park 22 for illegal hands in a ruck. Up stepped Morpeth standoff Jake McKay who was successful with the kick to the left of the Park posts on 6 minutes (3-0)

After the penalty, the game was played in the middle of the park for the next 10 minutes with neither side really able to generate momentum until Park were awarded two penalties in quick succession by referee Simon Williams that moved them into the right hand corner. From the lineout several drives were held up by Morpeth before Park knocked on and the hosts were able to clear their lines. As the game entered the second quarter, the visitors scored the first try of the match. In centre field, scrum half Andrew Walker in a clever loop move with second row Josh Hedley opened up space which was exploited by standoff Fergus Simpson. As the tackle came in he was able to pass to No 8 Leo Caulfield who was on his shoulder for a fine try on 22 minutes. This was converted by Paul Spowart (3-7).

Two minutes later Park scored again. From the kick off, Park played out of their 22 as they often do, showing adventure, with Walker again exploiting space to break the Morpeth defence. An excellent kick ahead was chased by Rowell at speed who managed to kick ahead, gather and score a great try 10 yards infield from the right touchline on 24 minutes. Paul Spowart converted (3-14). 

From the kick off Park again attempted to play out of their 22 but were penalised for crossing and with an easy kick at goal, McKay doubled the home team’s points on 26 minutes (6-14). Park were immediately on the attack from the kick off and another great line from Rowell off an inside pass from Josh Hedlay had the Morpeth defence stretched but an offence at an ensuing ruck allowed  Morpeth to clear their lines. As the home side attempted to put some phases together, Park blind side flanker Jonny Dubois was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on when attempting to intercept a Morpeth pass and was immediately given a yellow card on the half hour. Morpeth sensed their opportunity forcing the visitors to concede a penalty at a maul on the Park 22, 5 yards in from the right touchline which was duly despatched by McKay on 32 minutes (9-14). The last minutes of the half were littered with errors, both sides penalised for infringements; on 35 minutes Park were awarded a penalty for Morpeth not releasing in the tackle, kicked by Spowart (9-17) only for Morpeth to respond after a high tackle by second row Chris Reekie on the 22 to the right of the posts which was converted by McKay (12-17). With seconds to go in the first half, Park were awarded a penalty on the Morpeth 10 metre line but back chat to referee Williams resulted in a 10 yard march back enabling Paul Spowart to line up the penalty kick, to the left of the posts midway in the Morpeth half, which was duly despatched (12-20).

HT: Morpeth 12 Percy Park 20

The second half saw Park applying early pressure; a no arms tackle on scrum half Walker resulted in a line out in the right hand corner but the catch and subsequent drive broke down after the ball was knocked on and the chance was lost. The visitors were not to be denied for long. As the ball was moved left and then right around the Morpeth 22 a fine grubber kick by centre Paul Spowart was gathered by the alert Jonny Dubois at pace to score an excellent try wide on the right on 48 minutes. “That’s heads up rugby from Spow” our revered El Presidente was heard to mutter. Indeed it was. The conversion was missed (12-25). 

As the match progressed, Morpeth were struggling to stay in the game as Park applied pressure but a forward pass after Dubois was tackled on the try line and a Morpeth scrum penalty awarded with Park in an extremely promising position let the hosts off the hook and frustrated the visitors who were searching for the bonus point try. It finally arrived after 69 minutes when another catch and drive in the left hand corner broke down but the ball was gathered by second row Josh Hedley who was driven over 10 yards infield. The try was converted by Spowart (12-32).

The last 10 minutes had Park still testing the Morpeth defence but without troubling the scoreboard. Prop Tristan Grant on the charge shredded the Morpeth defence late in the game but the move broke down as the ball was recycled and again the chance was lost. 

FT: Morpeth 12 Percy Park 32

Try scorer Jonny Dubois admitted that it was a tough encounter but emphasised the fact that four tries were scored and numerous chances were created, just not taken. He stressed the excellence of Park’s defence, with no tries conceded in the last two league games. “A try bonus point away from home, still top of the league so we keep going and look forward to Aspatria next week”. Park’s man of the match Lucas Rowell had an excellent game at fullback, centre Paul Spowart was prominent in both attack and defence and in the forwards the back row played well with both Dubois and No 8 Leo Caulfield continuing their regular try scoring. The introduction of replacement scrum half Robin Houghton lifted the tempo and urgency as the try bonus point was sought.   

Morpeth took the game to Park, particularly in the first half, which frustrated the visitors as the home side forced penalties. However, the second half was a different story and, in truth, Morpeth never really threatened the Park try line, and there were a number of missed opportunities for the visitors to have added to the scoreboard. Defensively, Park were excellent and for the second successive game did not concede a try. We remain eight points clear of second place Northern, who won comfortably at Cockermouth on Saturday, at the top of the Regional 2 North table.

For Morpeth standoff Jake McKay played very well before injury curtailed his match but they lacked a real cutting edge. They now lie eighth in the league table and next face two tough away games at Upper Eden and Middlesbrough. We thank them for their wonderful hospitality and a good game played in the right spirit and wish them well for the remainder of the season. Our thanks also to referee Simon Williams, we hope to see him at Preston Avenue in the not too distant future.

Next week, Park are again on the road at Aspatria in the rearranged league game postponed in December, KO is at 2pm and all support would be most welcome. Aspatria are currently fifth in the Regional 2 North league table and boast a 100% winning record at Bower Park this season so Park can expect a very tough game. On Sunday, 21 January, the Panthers take on Gateshead at Preston Avenue hoping to strengthen their place as league leaders in NC 3 North (North) and, again, all support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Lucas Rowell; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Sam McDonald; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jake Smith; 6 Jonny Dubois; 5 Josh Hedley; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith.

Replacements: Matt Atkinson; Tristan Grant; Robin Houghton 

Mike Kitchen


On Monday 8 January 2024 Percy Park lost another much-loved and lifelong supporter of our rugby club. We are sad to inform you that ‘Mike Kitchen has passed away after a period of illness.

For many years Mike Kitchen was our Lions team manager at a time when many of our management team were young players. Mike created such a positive and friendly environment, passing down his commitment to Percy Park, that many of us took up his mantle and stuck around in different leadership roles, He will be a huge miss.

Mike's funeral will be held on Thursday 25 January 2024, 12:30pm at Mountsett, Crematorium Ewehurst Road Dipton Stanley DH9 9JP then on to the Gibside Hotel at 1.30pm. Pleas contact his daughter Andrea on 07708 559094 if you are able to attend to celebrate Mike's life. Family flowers only please.

Saturday 6 January 2024

Percy Park 24 Upper Eden 6

Regional 2 North

(HT: 12-6)

In this our first fixture of the new year, Park hosted Upper Eden RUFC and, given the respective league positions, anyone who thought that this game would result in an easy home victory was in for a rude awakening. On a heavy pitch, our Cumbrian visitors took the game to the league leaders, particularly in the first half enjoying the lion's share of possession, and it took, at times. a heroic defensive effort from the home side to stop them crossing the try line. Park were not at their free flowing best in attack but take nothing away from Upper Eden, they came to play and gave us a hard, physical battle, an extremely stern test that the scoreboard does not adequately reflect.

Prior to the start of the match, the club paid tribute to our late past President (and past County President) Alan Lockey who very sadly passed away last week. He was passionate about ‘all things Percy Park’ and was not only a great servant of the club but also a true gentleman. We send our sincere condolences to Alan’s family and friends. 

Park were forced into several changes in the backline with Ash Smith moving to full back in place of the injured Jamie Wrigley, Toby Davison replacing the unavailable Ross Young on the left wing and Ollie Bartles-Smith coming into the centre. In the fortwards, there was a welcome return for James Black and on the replacements bench, a bomb squad of a front row!

Under overcast skies, but thankfully dry with very little breeze, Park kicked off forcing an early scrum that produced a surging run along the right hand touchline by centre Paul Spowart but that was as good as it got for the home side for the next 30 minutes. Upper Eden had a stranglehold on possession in the first 10 minutes of the game but were unable to breach the Park defence with both Jake Smith and Ash Smith having to deal smartly with grubber kicks by the Upper Eden half backs. On 7 minutes the dam finally broke when Oli Bartles-Smith was penalised for a high tackle midway in the Park half and stand off Oliver Bennett kicked the goal from the left of the posts giving the visitors a deserved lead (0-3).

From the kick-off Park briefly threatened but indiscipline handed the initiative back to the Cumbrian side. Park were trying to get a foot hold into the game but mistakes (knock-on; ball kicked straight into touch) were hampering their efforts and as the first quarter ended, Upper Eden had two great chances to score following an excellent break by scrum half Oliver Rose from a lineout just inside the Park half. His inside pass to flanker Josh Winder was only stopped by a desperate tackle from Fergus Simpson but as the ball was eventually recycled right with the Park defence already committed No 8 Andrew Major was unable to hang on to the scoring pass with the try line at his mercy. Park were unable to escape as a result with Upper Eden applying sustained pressure and only excellent defence, with one huge tackle from James Black, keeping them out. However, on 22 minutes Park were penalised for obstruction in their 22 and up stepped Bennett to kick the points, again to the left of the Park posts (0-6). Despite the scoreline, there was a moment of lighthearted relief for the home support as replacement Matt Atkinson attempted to retrieve two balls that were trapped in a rather large tree… comedy gold!

Upper Eden again applied pressure from the kick off but were unable to cross the whitewash thanks to some outstanding defence by the homeside. Wave after wave of Upper Eden attacks were repulsed by a Park defence which refused to yield. After half an hour, Park managed to lift the siege courtesy of several Upper Eden infringements and for the first time in the match were able to put some meaningful phases together and test the visitors defence. After the Upper Eden hooker was penalised for taking too long to throw in at a lineout near halfway, Park gained possession and momentum. As play shifted to the left hand corner, several Park drives were repulsed before second row Josh Hedley was driven over on 36 minutes. Centre Paul Spowart was unable to convert with a very difficult kick from the left hand touch line (5-6). 

The score appeared to galvanise Park who were almost immediately on the attack from the kick off. Captain Howard Stock made ground on the right touchline and when he was tackled the ball was taken on by James Black before being moved left. Brilliant interplay between wing Toby Davison and hooker Jonny Dubois on the left touchline had the latter in for the try of the match to the left of the Upper Eden posts which was converted by Spowart on 39 minutes (12-6). There was no further play as the half ended and as it did so, Upper Eden must have wondered just how they found themselves behind on the scoreboard after dominating most of the match thus far.

HT: Percy Park 12 Upper Eden 6

Park began the second half as they ended the first, on the front foot. Fergus Simpson returned the Upper Eden kick off with interest and as he was tackled over halfway, the Park three quarters were able to take the ball on after, eventually, Ash Smith made ground. Howard Stock was stopped inches short of the visitors line. The ball was moved left and Park’s pressure forced the penalty after an Upper Eden forward was penalised for offside. Park kicked to touch and a classic catch and drive saw No 8 Leo Caulfield touch down in the left hand corner on 42 minutes with Paul Spowart kicking an excellent conversion from wide out (19-6).

The next 10 minutes saw our visitors lay siege in the Park 22 but outstanding defence denied them whether driving through their forwards or putting the ball wide. Time and again the Cumbrians were stopped on the gain line and as a consequence they never seriously threatened the Park line despite the pressure. Park gathered after an Upper Eden knock on and began to work their way upfield. A kick ahead was fielded by the Upper Eden fullback who made a poor clearance kick. It was gathered, taken on by second row Josh Hedley who drove into the Upper Eden 22 where the ball was moved at pace to the right. Captain Howard Stock was again held up on the line but as the ball was moved quickly left there was prop Sam Digman to crash over to the right of the posts for another good try and the bonus point on 52 minutes. It was unconverted by Spowart (24-6). 

The game was then largely played in midfield for the next 10 minutes with both sides struggling to put together any meaningful phases and mistakes and indiscipline littering play. Park began to assert pressure territorially and after 62 minutes were awarded a penalty only for the decision to be reversed by referee Dave Charlton after stupidity by Park scrum half Andrew Walker who shortly after was given a stern warning to behave. This seemed to again galvanise the home side who began to exert sustained pressure in the Upper Eden 22. In a short space of time, Park were held up twice on the Upper Eden try line and on 77 minutes, Park splintered the visitors pack at a scrum but as they rumbled over the line control of the ball was lost and it was knocked on. The last few minutes saw our visitors playing in the Park 22 but unable to trouble the scoreboard with, once again, excellent defence denying Upper Eden any real try scoring opportunities. 

FT: Percy Park 24 Upper Eden 6

After the game, Captain Howard Stock was his always honest self in his assessment: “We didn't play as well as we can but full credit to Upper Eden, they made it very difficult, particularly in the first half. The second half was better where we were more of a threat as we had more possession but we came out of the game with a bonus point win so job done”.

Defensively, Park were excellent and they needed to be, particularly in the first half, against a very dogged and resilient Upper Eden. James Black played well on his return to the side and Paul Spowart and Ash Smith had their moments in both attack and defence in the back line. For Upper Eden, both half backs excelled and with 3 home games coming up in quick succession, they will surely pick up points if they play as they did against Park. We thank them for a good, hard game played in a great spirit and we wish them every success for the remainder of the season. Our thanks too to our referee Dave Charlton without whom, there is no game.    

Park now have an eight point cushion at the top of Regional 2 North but face two successive tough games on the road, next Saturday at Morpeth and our rearranged game at Aspatria on 20 January, both games kicking off at 2pm. All support would be welcome.

Our Panthers side also sit proudly at the summit of NC 3 North (North) having beaten Consett away 24-38 on Sunday. The ladies next face Gateshead on Sunday, 21 January at Preston Avenue where, of course, all support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Ash Smith; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Toby Davison; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jake Smith; 6 James Black; 5 Josh Hedley; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Tristan Grant.

Replacements: Aaron Smith; Matt Atkinson; Dan Shuttleworth