Saturday 10 February 2024

Aspatria 25 Percy Park 30 

Regional 2 North

(HT: 11-22)

For 70 minutes at Bower Park, Percy Park were in control of what was a very hard, very physical game, leading by 30 points to 11 having secured the try bonus point early in the second half, when Aspatria burst into life scoring two late tries to secure a bonus point of their own but it was too late to deny Park a hard fought victory. It was no more than the visitors deserved and, with Northern not playing, Park have now opened up a nine point lead at the top of Regional 2 North with five games left to play for both clubs. With only one defeat at home all season, and the perceived injustice of their late defeat at Morpeth last time out, Aspatria were certainly up for this game which their programme noted ‘has been anticipated for sometime by Black Reds supporters’.

Jamie Wrigley made a welcome return to the side at fullback after injury, the speedy debutant Josh Sho-Perring replaced Max Bailey on the right wing with skipper Howard Stock still out and Toby Davison continued on the left wing in place of the injured Ross Young. In the forwards, Aaron Smith and Tristan Grant returned to the front row with Jake Smith returning to the back row after missing last week's trip to West Hartlepool. Jonny Dubois dropped to the bench with Sam Digman and Will Ponton. Leo Caulfield captained the side.

After two postponements and some very inclement weather earlier in the week, this game finally got under way on a dry, sunny afternoon with very little breeze. Park kicked off, playing towards the Clubhouse, and it was Aspatria who had the better of the early exchanges forcing two early penalties. The second, for offside, on the Park 10 metre line was punished by Aspatria centre Matt Irving who kicked the penalty on 3 minutes (3-0).

It took Park a minute to respond; the home side knocked on from the kick off and from the scrum, deep in the Aspatria 22, Toby Davison running a fantastic line took an inside pass from Ash Smith to score a sublime try behind the posts which centre Paul Spowart converted (3-7). From the kick off, Park, as they often do, attempted to play out of their 22 but Josh Hedley knocked on and from the resulting scrum inside the visitors 22, Aspatria turned the screw. A series of drives by the home forwards were stopped by an excellent defensive effort including a great tackle by Davison on Aspatria flanker Phil Dixon which stopped what would certainly have been a scoring pass to the right wing. An Aspatria infringement on the 22 relieved the pressure and from the lineout, Park moved the ball through the hands but the home side infringed again when a tackle on Davison was deemed by referee Martin Denvir to have been high.The penalty, which was just outside of the home 22, was kicked into the right corner. From the lineout, swift hands had second row Chris Reekie making ground before a great offload in the tackle to Fergus Simpson had the standoff score under the posts for another excellent try on 12 minutes. Paul Spowart converted (3-14). 

Back came Aspatria, clearly stung by the two early Park tries, and they had two opportunities to score, neither of which were taken. Firstly, from a scrum on the Park try line after a long Aspatria kick was knocked on, the ball moved quickly right but what might have been a scoring pass was put behind the right wing directly into touch. Shortly afterwards, fullback Grant Bethwaite moving into midfield seemed to glide through several attempted tackles only to spill the ball when the space behind the Park defence opened up in front of him and the chance was lost. The home side were to pay dearly as Park quickly scored again. Aspatria were penalised on their own 10 metre line for not rolling away after the tackle and the ball was kicked to the left hand touchline midway inside the 22. From the lineout, flanker James Black found himself in space and charged forward and his pass to Leo Caulfield had the skipper crash over 5 metres infield from the touchline on 19 minutes. The conversion was missed (3-19).

As the first quarter ended, Apatria were getting a little frustrated finding themselves three tries down without converting any of their own opportunities, and from the kick off, yet another high tackle earned home captain Jack Gaskell a stern warning from referee Denvir. It was not heeded as, on 23 minutes, shortly after Park had nearly scored again, Aspatria centre Irving was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on his opposite number, Park centre Paul Spowart. The next 10 minutes were littered with errors and infringements from both sides and the game was becoming a little bit feisty but Aspatria were controlling territory, the game being played in the Park 22. An excellent defensive effort was then undone when a defensive lineout was not secured, the throw to the back missing the jumper, and Aspatria seized the moment, second row Tom Gardner eventually crashing over 10 metres infield from the right touchline on 35 minutes. Irving, just back on the field, was unable to convert (8-19).  

Both sides then traded penalties as the clock wound down on the opening half. Firstly, Aspatria were penalised on their own 22 in front of the posts for Spowart to kick the points on 38 minutes (8-22) but their was still time for the home side to mount one more attack, Park being penalised for offside in front of their posts with Irving successfully scoring with the last kick of the half (11-22).

HT: Aspatria 11 Percy Park 22

Aspatria began the second half with real intent, immediately testing the Park defence deep in the visitors 22, but then came a moment of black and white magic. Prop Tristan Grant ripped the ball cleanly from an Aspatria forward and in the blink of an eye the ball had been transferred at speed to the returning Jamie Wrigley who set off at pace along the left touchline. In a magnificent length of the field sprint the fullback outpaced the home cover to score a fantastic try in the left hand corner. Paul Spowart was unable to convert the difficult conversion. The try bonus point in the bag, 42 minutes played (11-27).    

Park almost added to the score a short while later when Wrigley burst through the home defence to put wing Josh Sho-Perring into space. The wing sped into the home 22 and when he was tackled Aspatria infringed at the breakdown, the resultant penalty was kicked into the right hand corner. The catch and drive was executed perfectly but as the try line beckoned the ball was knocked on and the chance was lost. Park almost paid dearly for the error when a stray pass was intercepted by Aspatria second row Riley Thwaites on halfway who galloped towards the Park try line. Somehow, standoff Fergus Simpson got back to tackle him just short and excellent support helped secure the ball and gain a penalty (not releasing) to relieve the pressure. It was end to end play, Jamie Wrigley having another storming run along the left touchline, before the game became a little disjointed due to errors, replacements and injuries. 

On 67 minutes, Park were awarded a penalty (another high tackle) just outside of the Aspatria 22 but directly onto the posts which was kicked by Spowart (11-30). However, Park began to struggle a little up front due to enforced changes and the pressure began to build from the home side in the last 10 minutes. It was now that Aspatria produced their sting in the tail; Park were caught offside in midfield and the kick was launched into the left hand corner. The catch and drive faltered and a stop/start series of drives eventually succeeded with replacement Luke Jackson going over for the score on 73 minutes. Matt Irving converted (18-30).

For the remaining 7 minutes of the game, Park were on the defensive, Aspatria sensing a losing bonus point or better if they could score quickly but it took until the clock went into the red when fullback Grant Bethwaite broke through a tiring Park defence to score wide on the right which was converted by Irving with the last kick of the match (25-30).

FT: Aspatria 25 Percy Park 30

Captain for the day Leo Caulfield had this to say post game: “We talked all week about what Aspatria would bring to the game, that they would be a physical team and that we would have to match that. All of the lads stood up and put a massive defensive effort into the game. We know it’s not the best we have played but to come here to a team that has only lost once at home all season and get five points, I think we have shown why we deserve to be sitting on top of the league”. It is hard to disagree with the skipper’s assessment. Aspatria were very physical and Park defended extremely well but what was most impressive was how well, when the opportunities to score came, they were taken and it is probably fair to say that some points were left out on the field of play. Unforced errors are problematic, perhaps, but the ability to score tries, resolutely defend when the pressure is on, and the character of this team cannot be disputed.

In the backline, both Jamie Wrigley and Toby Davison (before injury) excelled, Paul Spowart, Ash Smith and Fergus Simpson were rock solid in midfield and debutant Josh Sho-Perring is definitely one for the future. Up front, all of the forwards played well, particularly as the pack were disrupted by injury and necessary replacements, and Caulfield led by example as captain. Will Ponton also did well on his debut from the replacements bench. For Aspatria, the second row pairing of Tom Gardner and Riley Thwaites carried well and Matt Irving played well in the centre. The hosts are currently fifth in Regional 2 North and look set for a mid table finish which will continue their recent trend of year upon year improvement and we look forward to the return at Preston Avenue next month and thank them for their hospitality. Our grateful thanks too to referee Martin Denvir.  

The Lions also won on Saturday, beating a very good Sunderland side scoring 12 tries to 2 and the Pumas, joining with Whitley Bay Rockcliff in a Barbarians side, lost to Morpeth at Hillheads but it was excellent to see some third team rugby. Sadly, the Panthers were denied the chance to further cement their place at the top of NC3 North (North) by the weather with their game at Blaydon being called off on Sunday. 

Next Saturday, Park entertain Durham City RFC, KO 2 pm. Durham, who sit in third place in the league table, have won seven of their last eight fixtures and so come to Preston Avenue in excellent form and presumably full of confidence so it should be a great game. The Lions are also hopeful of entertaining Durham City at home next Saturday, KO also at 2 pm. All support for our teams would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Josh Sho-Perring; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Toby Davison; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield ©; 7Jake Smith; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements: Sam Digman; Jonny Dubois; Will Ponton

Saturday 3 February 2024

West Hartlepool 33 Percy Park 37 

Regional 2 North

(HT: 19-12)

The First XV made the journey south along the coast for a Regional 2 North encounter with West Hartlepool RFC with the aim of maintaining their position at the top of the league table with Northern only 3 points behind in second place. Brinkburn is a fantastic community facility and it is a credit to the West Hartlepool Club after all of the trials and tribulations since their halcyon days in the Premiership, so it was fitting, on the day of a visit by the President of the Durham RFU, that West President Dave Laycock made presentations to several ‘unsung heroes’ which were warmly applauded by the representatives of both clubs. The hosts were expecting a hard game as their programme notes made clear; “Welcome to our only home game in February - and it couldn’t be tougher as our old rivals and friends Percy Park arrive in top spot”. However, in the Clubhouse prior to the game there was a quiet air of optimism from our opponents and boy, was that optimism justified! In a roller coaster of a match, Park just about survived a white knuckle ride to edge out the hosts by 4 points, claiming a try bonus point in the process. 

Park were forced into several changes; in the backs, with Jamie Wrigley, Ross Young, captain Howard Stock and Oli Bartles-Smith all injured, Lucas Rowell continued at fullback, Max Bailey replaced Stock on the right wing, Ash Smith returned to partner Paul Spowart in the centre with Toby Davison replacing Sam McDonald on the left wing. In the forwards, Sam Digman came in as loose head prop in place of the unavailable Aaron Smith and in the second row, Joe Thompson replaced the unavailable Josh Hedley. Luke Foster came onto the replacements bench together with Tristan Grant and Robin Houghton. Flanker Jonny Dubois captained the side.

On a sunny, dry day it was the visitors who kicked off towards the Clubhouse into a stiff breeze. Park showed their intent, putting the ball out wide but an early knock-on was a sign of things to come. In contrast, it was a nervy start by West  who conceded a scrum and then a penalty deep in their 22 in the opening exchanges. The penalty was kicked into the left hand corner and although the catch and drive faltered, flanker James Black found a way to the try line for the opening score of the match on 4 minutes. There was a suspicion of a knock-on in the build up but referee Simon Barker awarded the score. Paul Spowart was unable to convert the difficult kick from the left touchline (0-5). 

If West had a sense of injustice about the Park try, it did not show as from the kick off they gifted Park possession but as the visitors again began to move the ball with confidence, Spowart was penalised for straying offside at a breakdown and this was the catalyst for West to get into the game. From the resulting lineout on the left just inside the Park half, West mauled with real intent, releasing the ball and moving it wide. After infringing at a breakdown, Park were marched back 10 yards for knocking the ball away with the resulting kick into the left corner. For several minutes, West laid siege to the Park try line with Black and prop Sam Digman leading the defensive effort but after 14 minutes West had their reward when prop Adam Hutchinson burrowed his way to the line for the score to the left of the posts. The try was unconverted (5-5). Park certainly knew they were in a game.

The next 10 minutes saw Park gain the ascendancy in terms of possession and territory but repeated knock-ons and infringements halted any meaningful progress. One kick ahead by stand off Fergus Simpson after West had spilled the ball had the hosts scrambling in defence but the ball was eventually safely touched down. From a scrum on their own 10 metre line after Park had again knocked-on, West scrum half and skipper Ryan Painter exploded along the right touchline and his infield pass found stand off Ollie Connolly in support. Connolly evaded two attempted tackles to score an outstanding try behind the posts on 24 minutes which he then converted to turn the game on its head (12-5).

From the kick off, Park were immediately on the offensive with full back Lucas Rowell injecting real pace but several promising phases which appeared to involve every Park player were eventually stopped by yet another knock-on. However, referee Barker had seen a West Infringement and the resulting kick was put into the right hand corner. A perfectly executed catch and drive had hooker Dan Shuttleworth touch down on 28 minutes. Spowart kicked an excellent conversion from wide on the right to tie the scores (12-12).

As the half entered the final 12 minutes, West began to apply real pressure, constantly probing the Park defence in the visitors 22. After 35 minutes, West got their reward when, after the hosts turned over possession, Park attempted to play out of their 22 as they often do but knocked on yet again. From the scrum, West moved the ball at speed out to the left for wing Max Tennant to score wideout. Connolly kicked an excellent conversion (19-12).

Seemingly shocked by the score, Park attacked from the kick off, earning a penalty that was kicked into the right hand corner. Frustratingly, as Park drove for the line the ball was somehow knocked-on and the chance was lost.

HT: West Hartlepool 19 Percy Park 12

If Park lacked accuracy in the first half they certainly did in the opening exchanges of the second, knocking-on three times in the first few minutes. Firstly, from the kick off, great play involving Rowell and skipper Jonny Dubois split the West defence only for the ball to be spilled as the try line beckoned. Moments later, as the Park 8 splintered the opposing pack, the ball was knocked on and seconds later, when West turned over possession, the ball was spilled in the tackle in midfield. West sensed an opportunity and when Park conceded a penalty and then a scrum in quick succession, they took it, with West skipper Painter scoring his second try of the match, jinking through the Park defence from a scrum in the visitors 22 on 46 minutes. Connolly converted the bonus point try to open up a commanding 14 point lead (26-12).

Although they were penalised on the West 22 almost immediately from the kick off, Park began to gain some useful possession and keep hold of the ball, probing the West defence. An attack along the left was halted illegally with the resulting penalty kick being put into the left hand corner. As the catch and drive stalled, and the West defence sucked in to stop it, hooker Dan Shuttleworth peeled off to score his second try of the match on 54 minutes but Spowart was unable to convert (26-17).  

As the game entered the final quarter, Park were still trailing by 9 points and yet another knock on gifted possession to the hosts. But in the space of 3 minutes, Park miraculously reduced the deficit to just one point. On 62 minutes, West were penalised midway in their own half for a not releasing offence and up stepped Paul Spowart to kick the penalty (26-20). 

Two minutes later, Park scored a fabulous try. From a lineout on the West 10 metre line, the Park forwards mauled the ball deep into the West 22, it was released at speed right along the line for full back Lucas Rowell to score in the right hand corner. Spowart was unable to convert (26-25). Park had their bonus point try.

As the game was entering the final 10 minutes, West were still leading and sensed an upset, storming into the Park 22 searching for the clinching score. Park were penalised three times in quick succession for offside and for not releasing in the tackle and as a consequence, No 8 Leo Caulfield was shown a yellow card on 70 minutes. It was not too clear for which offence he was sanctioned. Behind on the scoreboard and down to fourteen men, Park seemingly had a mountain to climb but were not to be denied. West elected a scrum on the left hand side with Park a man down and they moved the ball at speed right but the move broke down with the ball ending up in the hands of left wing Toby Davison who sprinted almost the entire length of the field, As he tired and was about to be tackled, he passed infield to the speeding Lucas Rowell who in turn passed infield to the supporting Andrew Walker who scored a breathtaking try under the posts on 73 minutes for Paul Spowart to convert (26-32).

Two minutes later Park scored again, another scintillating try from full back Rowell on 75 minutes. From the kick off, Park moved the ball right, stand off Fergus Simpson injected pace, shredding the West defence, and gave the scoring pass to Rowell who sprinted in wide on the right. Spowart was unable to convert (26-37). There was still time for another score as the clock ticked down to the end of the match. As Park moved the ball in midfield the ball was spilled in the tackle and the ball was hacked on. The Park defence was unable to deal with the ball on the floor and as it squirmed out of reach it was hacked on again by West centre Will Hilditch who scored wide out on the left for Connolly to convert on 77 minutes (33-37). That was no more than West deserved but there was insufficient time for any further scoring in a breathless match.

FT: West Hartlepool 33 Percy Park 37  

“What a game! I enjoyed that!” was the verdict of the Cumbria Referees Society assessor sitting behind me in the stand and I cannot disagree. The game ebbed and flowed with the hosts taking the game to the league leaders and with just 10 minutes to go they surely fancied their chances after the Caulfield yellow card and still holding the lead, albeit by a point. But my word, did Park show resilience and a real desire to win, an outstanding effort that shows the character of this team. Yes, there was a frustrating lack of accuracy at times but as player/coach Ash Smith reflected post game “Last season, we would have lost that game but we have developed the ability to deal with pressure and crucially to score points when we have to. It wasn't the greatest performance today, far too many mistakes, but with the changes it was difficult but we found a way to win. Credit to West Hartlepool, they made it tough!”. West were magnanimous in defeat, proud to have run Park so close and more than happy with two bonus points in their quest for a mid table finish. For Park, Lucas Rowell and Dan Shuttleworth were standout performers, with the West half backs Ryan Painter and Ollie Connolly playing extremely well.

Northern won 12-19 at Upper Eden but with Park gaining the bonus point we now extend our lead over the City side in second to four points with a game in hand. West remain in eighth place on 34 points, the same number as Stockton in seventh, but with a game in hand. We thank them for their generous hospitality and wish them well for the remainder of the season. Our thanks, as always, to referee Simon Barker without whom there would be no game. 

The Lions also travelled to West and, with several Colts in the side, triumphed over West Hartlepool Stags to make it a Park win double. 

Next Saturday, 10 February, Park travel to Aspatria for our rearranged league game, KO at 2pm. All support would be welcome. If you are unable to make the trip to Cumbria, the Lions are at home to high flying Sunderland Shipwrights in what should be an excellent game and the Panthers are also in action next weekend when they are away to take on Blaydon hoping to cement their place at the summit of NC3 North (North) on Sunday, 11 February. Again, all support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Lucas Rowell; 14 Max Bailey; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Max Bailey; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jonny Dubois ©; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Joe Thompson; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Tristan Grant; Luke Foster; Robin Houghton.

Funeral Arrangements for John Pescott

Percy Park are sad to announce the passing of our former uncomprimising front row forward John Pescott: a long standing supporter of our rugby club. John was always an active and vocal member who had the best interests of his beloved Percy Park at heart. John would often challange the status quo and enjoy a good debate on all aspects of rugby at Preston Avenue. Every rugby club needs a John Pescott - when he spoke you listened. We will miss him.

His funeral will be held at The Church of the Holy Saviour.Tynemouth Priory, 2 The Broadway, Tynemouth at 1:30pm on Tuesday 13th February 2024 followed by a celebration of his life at The Spanish City, Whitley Bay. All are welcome. Percy Park club ties and blazers welcome.

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