Boxing Day rivalry

This year the Boxing Day rivalry between Percy Park and Whitley Bay Rockcliff takes place at Lovaine Avenue, Whitley Bay. The day starts off at 11.30 am with the Colts competing for the inaugural “Albi Duhrin Cup”. Albi sadly passed away earlier in the year and was a stalwart of both clubs. At 1.15 pm Dan Duhrin will be there to hand over the cup to the winning side. The 1^st XV game kicks off at 2.15pm.

Percy Park v Rockcliff on Boxing Day is one of the oldest traditional rugby fixtures to be held and has been a season highlight for over 125 years. A massive family day presenting a great opportunity to catch up with familiar faces.

With the main Club bar opening at 10am, plus can bar and horsebox bar, Rockcliff aim to keep everyone well refreshed and even have the NUFC v Forest game on the big screen to keep you entertained in-between games.

All are welcome to join the faithful as we travel along The Broadway and offer support to our beloved ‘Black and Whites’ as they cross swords with our nearest and dearest. Come on Park!

Boxing Day Itinerary at a glance:

10.00 am: Clubhouse at Whitley Bay Rockcliff opens

11.30am: Albi Duhrin Challenge Cup. Rockcliff Colts v Percy Park Colts

1.15pm. Cup Presentation

2.15pm: Moore Cup. Rockcliff Senior XV v Percy Park Senior XV. Followed by Cup Presentation.

REGIONAL 2 NORTH

KESWICK  25 – 31 PERCY PARK

If ever there was a match of two different game plans, this was it, with the home side electing to kick for points, position, chase and defend and the visitors bludgeoning there way first with the heavy pack and then trying to cut loose with pacey backs. Both worked in their own way and despite Park scoring 5 tries to Keswick’s 1, the powerful boot of Glen Wightman kept the home side in touching distance right up to the end.

Park got off to a flying start from the kick off with Josh Hedley dispossessing the home side and setting away Drew Walker down the left flank but the chip through went dead in the small in goal area so play was brought back for a scrum on the 10 metre line. The early couple of scrums were even until Park’s juggernaut pack began to get on top.

After 8 minutes Park were penalised for not rolling away in the tackle and up stepped Glen Weightman to kick an easy 3 points. A bright start by the visitors began to waiver as the Cumbrian side kept them pinned in their 22. Instead of opting to clear with a kick, Park decided attack was the best form of defence, only it wasn’t and fly half Kieran Mews obviously shrouded in a cloak of invisibility snaffled a pop pass to go through for an interception try and with the Weightman conversion the Davidson Park boys were 10 – 0 ahead.

Percy Park hit back within a couple of minutes with scrum half Andrew Walker evading the home side back row and racing to the try line, a candidate for the most outrageous dummy of the season was surprisingly effective before setting Fergus Simpson through to score, with Ash Smith kicking the extras – 10-7.

A Park indiscretion gave Glen Weightman another pop at goal on 18 minutes for the home team to lead 13-7.

Percy Park then got into their stride as a dominant scrum tied in the Keswick back room, with Leo Caulfield picking up at number eight and feeding Drew Walker to set the Park backs away down the right touch line. Jamie Wrigley came into the line to score in the corner. Ash Smith’s conversion gave the visitors the lead for the first time 13 -14 after a quarter of the game had gone.

A difference of opinion between Keswick prop Jamie McKenzie and Drew Walker saw them both shown yellow which on another day could have been a different colour, and Fergus Simpson stepped in to the scrum half berth as Ash Smith moved to fly half.

Park then scored their 3^rd try of the day with Jake Smith benefitting from a deft pass from Josh Hedley to cross the line for the try and with the conversion Park lengthened their lead. 13-21.

Any thoughts of the Tyneside team stretching further ahead was snuffed out as another two penalties in quick succession by Weightman kept his side in the hunt as half time approached.

Park then went on the offensive with several driving mauls from the line out. Blind side Stephen Moss was sent to the bin for collapsing the maul, again on another day this could have been a penalty try. Park persevered with the catch and drive and eventually Leo Caulfield crossed for the try bonus point and Park led at half time 19-26.

As the mist descended Keswick started the brighter in the second half and 2 further penalties from the unerring Weightman boot took his side to within a point of Park 

25 -26.

Percy Park declined several kickable penalties, opting instead for the line out, and time after time the Keswick defence held firm, with several warning too from the referee for collapsing the maul. Eventually after much pressure Jamie Wrigley scored his second try of the day when an attacking scrum in the Keswick half allowed the Park full back to use his pace to burst through a gap to score an unconverted try.

With 10 minutes remaining the visitors led by 6 points, so a converted try by the hosts could give them a narrow 1 point win. A speculative chip through by Mews should have been cleared up but the ball skidded on the greasy surface and a kick through meant a foot race to the line which Keswick looked to be winning, a tackle off the ball by Drew Walker stopped the advance and he was shown his second yellow card. Cries from the Keswick players and supporters for a penalty try were dismissed by the referee and Park had played their get out of jail free card as they held out for another bonus point win to remain 8 points clear at the summit of Regional 2 North ahead of local rivals Northern. Keswick’s performance belies their league position and they were well deserving of their losing bonus point on the day.

This year the Boxing Day rivalry between Percy Park and Whitley Bay Rockcliff takes place at Lovaine Avenue. The day starts off at 11.30 am with the Colts competing for the inaugural “Albi Duhrin Cup”. Albi sadly passed away earlier in the year and was a stalwart of both clubs. Maggie, Dan and Theresa will hopefully be there to hand over the cup to the winning side. The 1^st XV game kicks off at 2.15pm.

Finally we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. League rugby returns to Percy Park on 6^th January 2024 when our visitors are Upper Eden.

Photo Courtesy Julie Hedley
For more photos  - Click Here

Friendly

Percy Park RFC XV 34 v Tynedale RFC Raiders 7

Percy Park demonstrate strength in depth as Tyne struggle to deal with forward power.

Biblical rain falling on saturated ground had fingers crossed that we could provide a surface fit to play on. Armed with pitchforks, rollers and brushes a dedicated team of volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure match fit conditions; albeit with one or two puddles. Our anxiety wasn’t helped when our Regional 2 opposition were unable to field a team and as a consequence had to concede the game along with league points. Fortunately, Tynedale RFC answered our SOS and their Raiders side travelled east along the 69 to provide valuable game time and entertainment for a packed clubhouse enjoying their annual pre game Xmas lunch. Many, many thanks to Tynedale RFC for (literally) saving the day and to all our volunteers who ensured that we had game time and a full clubhouse. In today’s financial climate you cannot measure how important that was. And on that note:

Our thoughts are with Cockermouth RUFC who did everything they could to provide a team and fulfil the fixture. Sixteen players and no front row scuppered their efforts. They have our thanks for at least trying. And here is a message to the RFU and to our own CB. Playing numbers are rapidly decreasing, games are being cancelled, Rugby Clubs are struggling and what are our governing bodies doing?.......sleepwalking that’s what they are doing. To whom it may concern…..., time to wake up, listen and support grass roots rugby or there won’t be a game to govern!

Both sides began the contest by fielding their strongest starting XV and as we looked upwards the sun came out providing a really pleasant afternoon for the spectator. Not so sure what the players had the same thought. Tynedale kicked off by launching a high kick toward the Cricket Club end. Park collected and showed real intent to play. With ball in hand, moving left and right we constantly asked questions of a Tynedale defence.

A well taken lineout had the Percy Park forwards rumbling toward the visitors try line. A professional foul brought the move to and end. Park elected to go to the line. Chris Reekie, Matty Atkinson and Aaron Smith attacked. With Andrew Walker marshalling the attack Tyne were on the back foot. Chris Reekie came back around to crash over. A great forwards try and within minutes Tynedale knew they were in a game. Paul Spowart converted. 7 nil

Tynedale were unable to match Percy Park’s power in the scrum and our line out work gave the home side a real advantage. Tynedale were more than useful in the loose and had some really good young players on the ball. Park defended with discipline and when the opportunity arose, we attacked! Jamie Wrigley and debutant Josh Sho-Perring were graceful on the eye. As the game progressed the mud and wet ground began to have an effect with one or two knock ons. Another great line out brought the catch and drive. Tynedale were struggling to contain our forwards and as we approached the line we were awarded a penalty. Tynedale’s second row given a yellow card for deliberately blocking and preventing a scoring opportunity. A quick tap and pass put Chris Reekie over an undefended line. Score converted.

Our third try was a real gem. Once more from a well performed line out move, we brought Tynedale in field before stacking the stand side to attack the space. A great run from Fergus Simpson attracted the cover before a sublime pass put the supporting Jamie ‘Dubai’ Wrigley over in the cover. On this occasion Paul Spowart was unable to convert. 19 nil to Percy Park.

Tynedale introduced former Percy Park second row Ben Bell into the fray. The Tyne coaching team looking to Ben’s on field experience to shore up their team. Great to see him once more at Preston Avenue. Always welcome. Tyne continued to struggle in the set piece. Josh Hedly was having a great success in taking the away sides line out ball. It was in open play that Tyne excelled with their fly half Cam Stuart showing great promise and as the half wore on Percy Park were pegged back. The contact area became a slide and the ball difficult to pass, catch and hold on the ground. The referee Rebecca Rees doing well to keep her feet as she followed the play narrowly avoiding a full-face plant.

Park ahead at the turn. Both teams providing a very entertaining game for the faithful to watch and rightly ran both benches ensuring game time for all.. The game restarted with Tynedale receiving. The changes did not disrupt Percy Parks dominance in the set play. And it was that dominance that brought our fourth try of the afternoon. A line out at the bungalow corner; Park collecting for a catch and drive that could not be stopped. I’m not sure who landed the try all I know it was someone in a very black shirt!  I think it was Mikey Fisher or Dan Shuttleworth. For one very good sponsorship reason I will stick with Mikey Fisher. Paul Spowart unable to convert from out wide.

The attempted conversion proved to be Paul’s last effort of the afternoon being replaced by James Towell. And so the family names keep rolling through the Percy Park team-sheets. Where James followed his dad it was fabulous to see Will Ponton make his debut Will following his dad and grandfather to grace the fields of Preston Avenue. Another remarkable day in the history of Percy Park.

Percy Park’s fifth try of the afternoon was a repeat of the fourth. On this occasion two of our backs joining the push to ensure Team Captain Dan Shuttleworth was there to score the try. I suppose I should recognise his well taken effort this time. James Towell was unable to convert. 29 points to nil

The game continued with some really entertaining rugby that flowed from end to end with many a player taking to the floor to gather a ball and either sliding past or gathering leaving a wet smear across the turf. Percy Park’s final score came from a penalty infield that was dispatched to the Cricket Club corner for a lineout in front of the Tynedale defensive line. Another well worked lineout had the ball moved to the back. A hefty shove had the home side moving before Captain Dan Shuttleworth slid in to score expertly avoiding the large puddle that had gathered there. The conversion was difficult and not taken. Mind the ball was no more akin to a brick

Tynedale managed a consolation try at the death following a good move in centre field. Final score 34 points to 7. Very impressive display from Percy Park who demonstrated some real strength in depth.

The game had great import as the fixture marked the retirement of our Club Management team in Brian and Margaret Scorer. Brian and Margaret have been at the heartbeat of Percy Park Rugby for twenty years and are irreplaceable. Their reputation as generous and genial hosts is well known throughout rugby circles in Northumberland and Northern England. We will miss them.

Coach Ash Smith made comment on the game:

 “Firstly, I was gutted when the league game was cancelled. Many thanks to Tynedale for coming over and giving us a game! A runout was much needed after having 2 weeks of no rugby, especially with what we expect will be a very tough trip to Keswick next weekend. As for the game itself, it was brilliant to have a larger squad to watch the lads play. Midweek, we discussed how physicality is important when the conditions are in no one’s favour, and I think the lads bought into wanting to make contact with the opposition. Hats off to the pack; set-piece wise, they were strong and worked well off the ball. There are a couple of things to fine-tune in the backs, but in such messy conditions, you have to expect some things not to work quite right. I know it would have been said on Saturday, but from myself and the lads, we are massively thankful and always grateful for the effort Brian and Margaret put in to make playing rugby at Percy Park easy! Thanks for everything you have done, and all the best for the future”.

Representing Percy Park RFC:

From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Mikey Fisher, Josh Hedley, Chris Reekie, Matty Atkinson, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith

From 15: Jamie Wrigley, Josh Sho-Perring, Ollie Bartles-Smith, Paul Spowart, Paddy Browne, Fergus Simpson, Andrew Walker

Finishers: Tristan Grant, Marc Cook, Joe Thompson, Mark Barry, Will Ponton, Joe Cassidy, Sam MacDonald, James Towell and Teddy Summers

REGIONAL 2 NORTH

PERCY PARK 28 -15 MIDDLESBROUGH

Percy Park maintained their 7 point lead at the top of Regional 2 North with a bonus point win over 3^rd placed Middlesbrough. An overnight deluge meant condition were soggy underfoot but the rain held off throughout the game and mild conditions brought out a decent crowd to watch an entertaining game. Park kicked off with a Simpson grubber style kick which nearly caught out the visitors but a bobbling ball was retained and a platform set up to clear to half way for the first line out of the day.

The Park support along with match day sponsors Muckle LLP and their guests were treated to a fine early try from skipper Howard Stock with only 4 minutes gone. Ball from the top of a line out was spread wide and Jamie Wrigley cut through the defence to draw the last defender to put Stock on the right wing in at the corner. Paul Spowart sporting a natty Freddie Mercury style moustache in support of Movember slotted the difficult kick and Park led 7-0.

Although Park seemed to have the bulkier front 5, Middlesbrough held their own in the early scrums until  Josh Lynas incurred the wrath of referee Simon Williams of the Durham Referees Society. The Middlesbrough loosehead prop had been warned for his binding on a couple occasions before being penalised. Some backchat saw the visitors marched back 10 metres before Lynas was shown a yellow card. Park kicked to the corner and a text book catch and drive took the home side to the try line as scrum half Andrew Walker spotted a gap and sniped through to score. Spowart was again on target from wide out and Park doubled the lead to 14-0 after 15 minutes.

From the restart Park gathered the ball but Chris “Tank” Reekie was pinged for holding on and the visitors opted to kick to the corner rather than taking the easier 3 points. The line out was won and the drive progressed to the Percy Park try line. A couple of pick and go’s were repelled before the burly framed tight head Myles Colvin barrelled his way over the whitewash for the try  that centre Brendan Hill converted. 14 – 7.

A superbly weighted restart kick by Fergus Simpson allowed wing Paddy Browne to pluck the ball out of the air and tear off down the left hand flank. Although stopped in the Middlesbrough 22, the recycled ball was spun through the backs and found full back Jamie Wrigley who weaved his way through the defence to score under the posts for Park’s third try and Spowart’s third conversion. 21-7.

Percy Park were scoring at a rate of a point a minute and when Boro were penalised for going off their feet in a ruck, the kick to the corner set up another attacking move. Although the initial catch and drive was held up, man of the match Drew Walker stepped his way through several would-be tackles to score his second try of the game and earn his team the 4 try bonus point with only 24 minutes gone. Paul Spowart was again on target with a 100% conversion rate so far on the day as Park went into a 28-7 lead. 

The home side had a couple of opportunities to extend the lead as the first half came to a conclusion, but the greasy conditions did not make handling easy with final passes not going to hand.

Boro kicked off for the second period with the slope and Park with the lowering sun in their eyes. Any thought that this would be a rout for the home team was soon dispelled and the maroon clad Middlesbrough upped their game and pinned Park deep in their own half for long spells. Percy Park were penalised for not rolling away as Josh Hedley had looked to have jackled the ball fairly. With the kick to the corner Park were caught napping at the front of the line out as the ball was thrown in then quickly back to hooker Joe Sawdon for a well planned and executed try. Brendan Hill couldn’t make good the extra points. 28 -12

Percy Park still tried to play expansive rugby, which given the conditions was proving difficult, although Jamie Wrigley nearly broke through the defence but was stopped 5 metres out. Park were awarded a penalty after a no-arms tackle on Chris Reekie. Spowart stepped up to take the kick at goal but the left footed kicker hooked the ball right of the posts for his only miss of the day.

Middlesbrough were then awarded a kickable penalty some minutes later which Hill slotted to reduce the deficit for his side to 28 -15. With a full 25 minutes of the game to go both sides attacked and defended in equal measure without being able to add to the score line. Jake Smith showed so good attacking moves off the bench linking up well at one point with Josh Hedley only for a potential try scoring opportunity to be pulled back for a forward pass, which on the video proved to be the correct call.

Percy Park will be pleased with yet another bonus point win, and despite leaving Preston Avenue empty handed and unable to secure a losing bonus point Boro remain in third place behind Northern in second.

On the far pitch Park Lions took on Middlesbrough Wasps and ran out 33-28 in a tight game with the Lions down to 14 men for a long spell due to injury.

Next week we take a break from league rugby as the 1^st XV entertain Alnwick in the Northumberland Senior Cup.