Saturday 14 October 2023

Consett 43 Percy Park 24

Regional 2 North

(HT: 30-10)

After a two week break, Percy Park returned to league business at Consett RFC on Saturday  hoping to maintain their unbeaten record with a sixth successive win but our hosts had other ideas, romping to a comprehensive 19 point victory as the Park Express well and truly derailed. Although both sides scored four tries, indiscipline, turnovers and, particularly in the first half, a lack of tactical nous perhaps in dealing with a stiffening breeze put paid to Park’s efforts in a disjointed performance but make no mistake, Consett thoroughly deserved the win. Our hosts have suffered three very narrow defeats this season and have been in excellent form at home so this was always going to be a tough game and so it proved with their New Zealand stand off Kyle Cornelissen in inspired form. Park debutant Paddy Browne replaced unavailable skipper Howard Stock on the wing, Joe Thompson moved into the second row to partner Chris Reekie with James Black returning to the pack after injury. Hooker Jonny Dubois captained the side.

On a bright sunny autumnal day, Park kicked off against a strong breeze and made an excellent start, moving the ball along the line, left and right, probing the Consett defence with Browne at one point showing great dexterity in keeping the ball in play. In midfield, Park were awarded a penalty after Consett failed to release the ball in the tackle and Centre Ash Smith kicked for the left hand corner, a sign of the visitors intent. After an untidy lineout and yet another penalty put into the same corner, a catch and drive from the lineout had Captain Dubois going over 10 metres infield on 7 minutes. Smith could not quite convert, the ball hitting the upright (0-5). Sadly, and as has happened far too often this season, Park conceded points immediately from the restart. A knock on, a scrum penalty awarded to the hosts and up stepped No 8 Matt Grimes to kick Consett’s first points of the match on 10 minutes (3-5).

Park again began to move the ball wide but as full back Jamie Wrigley joined the line his pass to Browne was intercepted by his opposite number Jack O’Leary who raced in from his own 10 metre line to score under the posts, the try being converted on 13 minutes by Grimes (10-5). Park continued to move the ball wide but were unable to straighten the line in order to create anything meaningful and playing with width was not being helped by a strengthening breeze. As Park probed, a pass from scrum half Robin Houghton was intercepted and Consett were able to kick deep into the Park 22. As the first quarter ended, Consett began to exert real pressure, with their pack tearing into rucks, tackling hard and enabling Cornelissen to dictate play. On 23 minutes, a poor clearance kick from wing Toby Davison gave full back O’Leary the chance to run from halfway and several missed tackles later he touched down close to the posts. Grimes converted (17-5).

This was definitely not in the script but Park were able to hit back immediately, After a Park scrum midway in the Consett half, Jamie Wrigley was somehow kept out wide out on the left by an excellent defensive effort but as the ball came back infield, Second Row Chris Reekie smashed his way through two defenders to score to the left of the posts on the half hour. Ash Smith could not convert (17-10). However, the last 10 minutes of the half were a Park horror show, conceding 13 points. Firstly, immediately from the restart Park tried to play out of their 22 but conceded a penalty for crossing which Grimes duly converted (20-10). Two minutes later, Park lost possession midway in their own half and superb interplay between centre James Herdman and fullback O’Leary had the Consett number 12 scoring an excellent try which was converted by Grimes (27-10). As the clock ticked down, Park were under intense pressure with the Consett pack rampant. They were held up over the line but Park were adjudged to have been offside in the build up and Grimes converted the resultant penalty on 39 minutes (30-10).

HT: Consett 30 Percy Park 10

With a mountain to climb, Park had to score first as the second half got under way and they immediately put Consett under pressure with three quick penalties awarded for home side infringements. However, Park could not turn early territory into points and as Consett counter attacked at speed, Stand off Cornelissen was high tackled around the Park 10 metre line and up stepped Grimes to kick the penalty on 46 minutes (33-10). This appeared to galvanise the visitors and from the restart they forced Consett into conceding a penalty that was kicked to the right hand corner. As Park mauled their way to the line it was taken down illegally and Park elected to go with the same strategy; kick to the corner, line out and drive. This time, replacement hooker Dan Shuttleworth scored on 50 minutes and with Smith converting the deficit was reduced (33-17). Four minutes later, Park scored again, Jamie Wrigley scoring under the posts after Consett infringed again as Park mauled to the line. With advantage being played the ball went wide and the fullback was able to cross unopposed for the bonus point try. Ash Smith converted (33-24).

With the deficit now just nine points, and with the third quarter not yet over, could Park produce the miracle comeback? Alas no, a penalty for not releasing had Grimes give Consett some breathing space with the successful kick on 57 minutes (36-24). Park were now under sustained pressure and only a Consett infringement enabled Ash Smith to kick the ball into Consett territory in order to relieve it. The next 5 minutes were to prove crucial with Park having two excellent chances to score but spurning them both. After penalty awards, Park twice kicked to the corner and from the resultant catch and drives endeavoured to turn the ball over on each occasion when it seemed easier to score. As a consequence, the fight seemed to go out of them and as the match ended, Park’s misery was compounded when Cornelissen weaved his way over under the sticks for an easy conversion from Grimes on 78 minutes (43-24). It could have been worse, Grimes missing with a last second penalty kick.   

FT: Consett 43 Percy Park 24

On the day, Park were well beaten. The Consett pack were ferocious in both attack and defence and with Cornelissen (my personal man-of-the-match) expertly directing operations from standoff, this was simply a bridge too far. There were positives; Paddy Browne had some excellent touches and proved solid in defence and, with four tries, a bonus point was gained. Post match, stand-in Captain Jonny Dubois was honest in his assessment. Not a lot, he said, had gone right with too many mistakes and a lack of discipline with even the warm-up not going according to plan. He admitted that the result “has been a wake up call”, sentiments echoed by No 8 James Black but both were at pains to point out that nothing should detract from an excellent Consett performance. Park remain top of the table despite the defeat, 5 points clear of Middlesbrough. Our hosts move up to fifth. Our thanks to Consett for a great game and their wonderful hospitality and we look forward to reciprocating in January. Our thanks also, as always, to referee Louis Dinsdale. It was not all doom and gloom as the Lions were also in action at Consett, winning 15-70 and making his first start for the club on his return was Jake Smith. Welcome home Jake!

Next Saturday, we entertain West Hartlepool who beat Durham City 29-27 at the weekend. It should be a great game, kick-off is at 3pm.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Toby Davison; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Paddy Browne; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Robin Houghton; 8 James Black; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Michael Langlands; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Joe Thompson; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Jonny Dubois ©; 1 Sam Digman

Replacements: Dan Shuttleworth; Oli Bartles-Smith; Andy Dunn

Consett Photo Gallery

Saturday 30 September 2023

Percy Park 49 Morpeth 16

(HT: 10-13)

Regional 2 North

On Saturday, Percy Park hosted our friends and rivals from Morpeth RFC in an eagerly anticipated top of the table clash between the only two sides with 100% records in Regional 2 North. Park, courtesy of four try bonus points in their opening games, sitting proudly on top of the league with our visitors one place below them. Morpeth had enjoyed home wins over Stockton and Consett before winning a close game at West Hartlepool 23-27 and, last weekend, ending Durham City’s unbeaten start to the new campaign 18-12 at Mitford Road in another close encounter.  A hard fought game was expected and that proved to be the case in a tight first half where Park were hampered, at times, by over elaboration and by an unacceptable lack of discipline. However, the second half was a completely different match with Park rampant and at their best to record a comprehensive victory and consolidate their position at the summit of Regional 2 North. 

Park kicked off in dry but overcast conditions with a slight breeze. They showed their attacking intent almost immediately, full back Toby Davison hitting the line at pace only for wing Ross Young to unfortunately knock-on. Young made amends soon afterwards when he made ground off of his wing wide on the right and as the ball was moved quickly left, prop Sam Digman made ground before the ball was shifted left again at speed into the hands of second row Josh Hedley who crashed through several attempted tackles to score the opening try to the left of the posts on 6 minutes. Ash Smith converted (7-0).

Morpeth were able to hit back almost immediately when from the kick-off after try scorer Hedley was penalised for a high tackle. Morpeth full back Jake McKay made no mistake with the kick on 8 minutes (7-3). Worse was to come 3 minutes later; Park stole the ball from the malfunctioning Morpeth lineout on the left and the ball came infield. The move collapsed and with Park at sixes and sevens Morpeth were able to rip the ball from Park hands with a two on one advantage. A quick pass and left wing James Turner streaked away from his own 10 metre line to score an excellent opportunist try to the left of the posts which was converted by McKay (7-10). Park were struggling with their discipline, Morpeth able to relieve any pressure from the resultant penalty kicks, and Park scrum half Andrew Walker was being given a torrid time by his opposite number Jack Elliott. However, as the first quarter ended Park were again penalised (not releasing in the tackle) midway in the Morpeth half only for the penalty to be reversed after the referee Mr Morrisson spotted Morpeth foul play. Ash Smith kicked the penalty to tie the score (10-10). Park were looking to play an expansive game but were hampered by a lack of accuracy as demonstrated when a storming Josh Hedley charge and excellent off-load ended almost at the Morpeth try line with a home side knock-on.

As the first half progressed, the Park forwards were gaining ascendancy and a catch and drive from a lineout in the Morpeth 22 almost resulted in a try but Morpeth were able to disrupt and gain a penalty. The struggle with their discipline continued and this allowed Morpeth to gain possession and territory. On the half hour mark, as Morpeth applied pressure in the Park 22 with a series of forward drives, the hosts were penalised several times in quick succession with advantage being played but when Morpeth failed to capitalise, play was stopped. Park skipper Howard Stock was spoken to regarding the penalty count by referee Morrisson and McKay kicked the penalty from wide out on the left (10-13). As the second quarter clock ticked down, Park had the upper hand territorially but could not convert their pressure into further points.

HT: Percy Park 10 Morpeth 13     

Morpeth kicked off the second half with a kick which went straight into touch, a sign perhaps of things to come. Park gained an immediate penalty award as the Morpeth eight began to splinter from home pressure at the scrum. Ash Smith kicked the penalty from just inside his own half to again tie the score (13-13). But, as happened in the first half, Park were immediately penalised themselves after scoring when, attempting to play out of their own 22 after the restart, stand-off Fergus Simpson was adjudged not to have released the ball after being held in the tackle and up stepped McKay to kick the penalty, putting Morpeth ahead after just 4 minutes of the half (13-16). The Park eight began to dominate, winning another scrum penalty which was kicked to the right hand corner by Smith. The catch and drive was halted illegally and Morpeth No 8 Josh Williams received an immediate yellow card from the referee. Park elected a scrum and although untidy it resulted in Park second row Chris Reekie eventually being driven over for the try on 49 minutes. The score was not converted (18-16).

From the restart, as Park played out of their 22, hooker Jonny Dubois was the recipient of a  high tackle with the penalty kick putting Park on the Morpeth 10 metre line. The ball was moved right infield from the lineout where both Park second rows made ground. The ball was taken on by Smith and left wing Ross Young but when the move broke down the ball was quickly moved right for prop Sam Digman to crash over from 5 metres to the left of the posts. Smith converted (25-16).

Morpeth were becoming ragged, the restart again going straight into touch gifting the home side possession. Park were beginning to eliminate the mistakes, keep their discipline and play expansively. The reverse was true of our visitors who under pressure were losing their own discipline and as the third quarter ended, a sweeping Park move along the right hand touch line involving both forwards and backs was halted after Morpeth scrum half Elliott killed the ball illegally, receiving a yellow card for his trouble, 5 metres from their try line. The resultant penalty kick was put into touch with Park hunting the bonus point try which duly arrived after a catch and drive had Jonny Dubois scoring wide out on the right. Ash Smith was unable to convert (30-16).

Now struggling up front, a Morpeth put in at a scrum midway in the Park half for a knock-on had their forwards splinter under pressure from the home pack and it was now the Morpeth captain who was spoken to by referee Morrisson regarding the penalty count. From the resulting lineout, Park moved quickly up field, forwards to the fore, and as Park moved towards the try line yet another penalty was awarded to the home side for a Morpeth player making no effort to roll away after a tackle, much to their captain's frustration. Smith kicked the penalty to touch in the left hand corner, a catch and drive from the lineout and it was that man Mr Dubois scoring again on 68 minutes. Smith converted (37-16).

On 74 minutes, Park scored again; Ross Young with a jinking run made ground from half way and when tackled the ball was moved quickly right to find captain Howard Stock moving at pace along the right wing and his inside pass, taking out the last defender, found centre Paul Spowart who dived over for an excellent try which was converted by Ash Smith (44-16). 

The Morpeth restart again went straight into touch allowing Park possession and an attacking platform. Swift movement almost had the forwards scoring again but they were held up over the line. As the clock ticked down, Park were hunting try number seven and exerting great pressure on their visitors to achieve it with a Morpeth prop receiving a yellow card, their third of the game. The pressure eventually told with the quick thinking Spowart giving the scoring pass from a tap penalty to second row Josh Hedley for his second try of the match to the left of the posts which was unconverted by Ash Smith (49-16).

FT: Percy Park 49 Morpeth 16

The second half performance was exceptional and after a difficult first half, all credit to Morpeth, whatever was said at the break clearly worked. The Park eight were excellent, particularly the second row pairing of Chris Reekie and Josh Hedley together with hooker Jonny Dubois. Five wins from five games, five try bonus points to sit at the summit of Regional 2 North. Centre Seb Reece, sadly injured with a hamstring problem but watching from the sidelines, believes that this team has the confidence and ability to make a real challenge for promotion this season and when player/coach Ash Smith was asked his opinion of the second half performance he made a one word reply: “Class”. It is hard to disagree. Morpeth worked exceptionally hard in the first half to deservedly lead at half time but were overwhelmed after the break with three yellow cards not helping their cause but their start to the season has been excellent and they will be there or thereabouts at the season’s end. We look forward to the return at Mitford Road in January. Our grateful thanks as always to today's referee, Adam Morrisson. There is no 1st XV game next week, the Alnwick County Cup game being postponed, with a visit to Consett in a fortnight the next league outing. We look forward to the return

Percy Park: 15 TobyDavison; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Michael Langlands; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Andy Dunn; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Joe Thompson; Aaron Smith; Robin Houghton. 

REGIONAL 2 NORTH – WEEK 4

UPPER EDEN RUFC 3 – 32 PERCY PARK RFC

Percy Park travelled across to Cumbria for the second time in 2 weeks this time to take on league new boys Upper Eden promoted as champions of Cumbria 1 last season. With the Cumbrians also playing in black and white, Park changed to a red white and black combo on a sunny bright day in scenic settings. This was the first time the two sides had met and promised to be a close affair with Park un beaten so far this league season, and the hosts having won two from three losing narrowly by a single point last week at Durham City.

The visitors started brightly and were on the score board after only 3 minutes after skipper Howard Stock crossed the line for a try on the left flank. Park kicked to the corner from a penalty and from the resulting line out spread the ball right then back left to allow Park’s left wing to go over, with Ash Smith converting. 0-7.

Three minutes later Smith slotted a penalty after the home side were penalised for not rolling away in the tackle.0-10.

Upper Eden were awarded a kickable penalty after Park were spotted with hands in the ruck and fly half Oliver Bennett was on target to claim the points for his side which would be their only score of the day. 3-10.

Percy Park had scrum dominance and pressed the Upper Eden line, and after a few forward carries Josh Hedley crashed over and with an extended arm dabbed the ball down. The force of placing the ball saw it bounce up after grounding and the referee who was on the other side of a mass of players judged the ball had been knocked on and the try was disallowed.

Eden were awarded a scrum on their 5 metre line and number 8 John Blue showed his skill and pace to pick up from the base of the scrum going backwards and ran a full 50 metres before being brought down in the Park half.

The Cumbrians defended well for the remainder of the half with Park being held up over the line and being denied their second try of the game, however they were reduced to 14 men with a player sent to the sin bin. Park ended the half with another Ash Smith penalty 3-13.

Percy Park started the second half as they did the first with the returning Leo Caulfield going over 3 minutes in. From a line out in the home 22 the ball to the back found the Park number 8 in space and he burst through and over the line to score with Ash Smith claiming the extras. 3-20.

Park claimed their bonus point with a Jamie Wrigley try 5 minutes later. From a scrum in the Upper Eden half the ball was spread through the back line with the Park fullback cutting through a gap to score, and once again Ash Smith was on target to extend the lead to 3-27.

With half an hour still to go the visiting supporters could be forgiven for expecting a large score, but Pennine Park side had other ideas and defended stoutly, the nearest Percy Park coming to scoring was when Ash Smith burst through the defensive line and chipped through but losing the foot race to line with the defender dotting the ball down for the goal line drop out.

Both sides were down to 14 players when Michael Langlands and the Upper Eden number 18 were sent to the side lines to cool down after an altercation saw them nose to nose in front of the referee.

With 3 minutes to go, Park finally breached the Upper Eden line with a try by fly half Fergus Simpson in the left hand corner. Ash Smith was unable to convert and the game came to a conclusion shortly afterwards with Park the victors 3-32

On the adjoining pitch Park Lions took on the Upper Eden Boars, with the home side coming out winners  60 -30 in an entertaining high scoring encounter.

Next week Percy Park take on second placed Morpeth with the game being sponsored by Past Presidents, Life Members and Ground Committee.

Saturday 16 September 2023

Percy Park 31 Keswick 12

(HT: 17-12)

Regional Two North

On Saturday, Percy Park hosted Keswick RUFC in game three of the new season with the club sitting proudly on top of Regional 2 North following wins over Northern and newly promoted Cockermouth. Keswick, in contrast, have not had the best of starts, suffering defeats at West Hartlepool and, last weekend, at home to Durham City. However, despite differing starts to the season, Park were still expecting a tough game and so it proved. Although not being quite at their fluent best, a bonus point win over our Cumbrian visitors meant mission accomplished in what was an entertaining encounter.

Park were disrupted by late withdrawals, with Andy Dunn coming into the back row, Aaron Smith moving to hooker and Adam Hay back in the first team squad on the replacements bench. The backline showed one change, Jamie Wrigley returning at full back after missing the trip to Cockermouth last week. The only other change was in the weather; a scorching 26 degrees last weekend, a chilly, damp 13 degrees here on Saturday. 

Keswick kicked off playing with the slight breeze to their backs. In the opening exchanges, it was Keswick who started the stronger, their pack showing aggression and when the opportunity arose, putting the ball through the hands into the wide open spaces but without offering any points scoring threat. When Park did secure ball in those opening 10 minutes, they showed their attacking intent, particularly through Wrigley, captain Howard Stock and wing Ross Young but both sides gave up possession all too easily, stalling momentum. An enforced injury break then seemed to galvanise the home side and on 14 minutes they made the breakthrough. A scrum, after a Keswick knock on just outside of the visitors 22, offered the platform with Stock coming in off of his wing to carve open the Keswick defence. When he was tackled, the Park forwards carried the ball almost to the try line but it was moved quickly left for Young to score in the left hand corner. The conversion was missed (5-0)

Keswick responded almost immediately. From the restart, the Keswick eight kept possession with both second row Mark Trow and flanker Karl Smyth carrying well and wing Ryan Weir probing the Park defence. Keswick gained a penalty in the Park 22 after a Park high tackle and with advantage being played by referee Ben Glover, Weir with a jinking run breached the Park defence and from the ensuing ruck, Smyth was on hand to scamper over wide on the right on 19 minutes  (5-5). The try was converted by outside half Stephen Holloway (5-7).

After the restart, the home side began to dominate possession but they lacked accuracy with the ball being knocked on, passes going astray and players being penalised. Second row Chris Reekie and prop Tristan Grant were carrying strongly and centre Ash Smith had one barnstorming run but every Park endeavour seemed to break down and it was Keswick who scored next with a blistering try from deep on 27 minutes. From a scrum just outside the Keswick 22, the ball was fed to centre George Holme who crashed through several attempted tackles to power through the Park defence and a slick pass to wing Danny Price outside him saw Price accelerate to the line to score an excellent try wide out on the right. The try was unconverted (5-12).

Park needed to eliminate the mistakes which had hampered their efforts thus far and this they managed to do in the remaining 13 minutes of the half with two tries before the break to turn the game on its head. From the restart, Park secured possession and from a Keswick high tackle in midfied Park were able to kick to the right hand corner. From the 5 metre line out, the ball was moved quickly left but as the move broke down on the left wing the ball came out to the very alert Ash Smith whose accurate cross kick was expertly gathered by back row Leo Caulfied, contesting the catch with Keswick wing Weir, who scored the try which was converted by Smith on 31 minutes (12-12). 

Percy Park were attempting to play an expansive game but it was the forwards who struck the final blow of the first half. Another Keswick infringement in midfield (high tackle) resulted in an identical kick to the right hand corner but on this occasion a textbook catch and drive from the Park eight had Keswick in trouble and Andy Dunn was able to touch down on 39 minutes. The try was unconverted by Ash Smith (17-12).

HT: Percy Park 17 Keswick 12

Park kicked off the second half and for the opening 10 minutes, the Keswick pack applied pressure with (before injury) second row Trow, No 8 Stephen Moss and scrum half Jack Thompson working hard. What possession Park gained came to nothing with infringements hampering momentum. However, defensively Park were equal to it and for all their early possession, Keswick did not create any scoring opportunities. After 50 minutes Park gained the put-in at a scrum on halfway after an accidental offside offence. The ball was quickly shifted right with Ross Young and Jamie Wrigley making ground. As the ball came infield, Andy Dunn and Chris Reekie made ground before outside half Fergus Simpson swerved around his opposite number to give the scoring pass to Ash Smith. The centre accelerated between two defenders before diving over for the try to the left of the posts which he converted on 50 minutes (24-12). The try bonus point secured.

As the game entered the final quarter, Park were finding it difficult to put meaningful phases together. Uncharacteristic errors and penalties awarded against them in promising positions (hands in the ruck, knocking the ball forward) gifted Keswick possession but they were not able to ever really threaten the Park try line, eventually conceding possession after being penalised at a ruck. From the resultant kick to touch, Park struck with what for me was the try of the match to put the game beyond the reach of our opponents on 73 minutes. The ball was passed in field from the lineout with Simpson eventually putting full back Wrigley into space. He powered over half way before an outside pass put wing Ross Young away along the left touchline. As Young moved in field, his inside pass to replacement centre Oli Bartles-Smith took out his opposite number, the last line of defence, for a stunning try scored under the posts. This was converted by Simpson (31-12).

As the clock ticked down, both sides could not retain possession for a sufficient amount of time to threaten the scoreboard.

FT: Percy Park 31 Keswick 12

Player/Coach Ash Smith was pleased with the bonus point win but a little disappointed with the performance, particularly the error count. However, in mitigation, he said the late changes did not help preparation and he pointed to the positives; an excellent defensive display, particularly in the second half, and the way the team came back to lead the game late in the first half after finding themselves 5-12 down on the half hour. 

Tristan Grant and Chris Reekie excelled in the forwards, Simpson and Smith look an excellent 10/12 partnership and our new players again all played well and some of the tries were straight out of the top drawer. Seventeen tries in just three games demonstrates our attacking intent and how we want to play the game. Perhaps Messers Borthwick, Sinfield et al should come up to Preston Avenue for a visit…. The bonus point win has Park with a 100% record after three games and top of Regional 2 North. Our opponents also  played very well and scored two good tries and although they have yet to win a game this season, it is early days, and they will surely pick up results in the not too distant future. We wish them well and look forward to the return fixture in Cumbria. Our thanks also go to referee Ben Glover.

Next Saturday, 23 September, both the first team and (hopefully) the Lions travel to Upper Eden. The newly promoted Cumbrian side have had an excellent start to life in Regional 2 North and only lost their unbeaten start to the season by the narrowest of margins, losing 15-14 at Durham City on Saturday. A tough challenge awaits.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Joe Thompson; 6 Andy Dunn; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Aaron Smith; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Adam Hay; Oli Bartles-Smith; Paddy Hargreaves