Saturday 25 January 2025

Huddersfield 42 Percy Park 28

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 14-14)

For the second weekend in succession Park were on the road, this time travelling to West Yorkshire to take on high flying Huddersfield in the rearranged fixture from December. After an excellent display at league leaders Scunthorpe last week, the hope was to follow this up with an equally robust display at Lockwood Park. And, it has to be said, for large parts of the game, it was but for a total loss of concentration in a ten-minute period late in the second half that saw the visitors concede three quick tries to completely undermine their efforts although, in the dying minutes, they rallied to score the all important bonus point try to at least leave with some reward.

As has been the case for most of the season, there were a number of changes to the side that narrowly lost to Scunthorpe last week due to injury and unavailability. Will Ponton made a welcome return from injury at fullback with Sol Kench coming in on the left wing. Seb Reece moved into the centre to partner Paul Spowart. Jacob German was drafted in as scrumhalf, moving from fullback, after the injury last week to Tom Robinson. In the forwards, there was a completely new back row, the returning Jonny Dubois, Karl Thompson (moving from the second row) and player/coach Ash Smith, moving to the flank for the second time this season. Chris Reekie returned to the second row to partner Josh Hedley. There was a welcome return from injury for Aaron Smith who joined Sean Nairn and Frazer McGlashan on the replacements bench.

On a cold, sunny but dry day, Park kicked off and it was the home side who started the better, putting the visitors on the back foot inside their 22. When Park were caught offside from a lineout, Huddersfield elected to tap and go with No 8 Billy Hammond powering over after just three minutes, standoff Will Milner converting (7-0). From the restart, Park began working themselves into the game, gaining possession and territory. After Huddersfield were penalised twice in quick succession for high tackles, the ball was kicked into the left corner. The catch and drive was stopped by the home side but the ball was quickly spun right for captain Howard Stock to score out wide on eleven minutes. Centre Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion to level the scores (7-7). From the restart, Huddersfield attacked, moving the ball into the Park 22 only to infringe and enable the visitors to relieve the pressure but back came Huddersfield and when Park were again caught offside in front of the posts, the home side again elected a tap and go and reap the reward when prop Ethan Myers forced his way over, Milner converting on 21 minutes (14-7).

The ball was kicked straight out from the restart to give Huddersfield possession at the resulting scrum which was the springboard to enable them to again move into the visitors 22. The pressure was relieved through a touchline run from wing Sol Kench and when the ball was moved infield, a storming run from prop Sam Digman. Although the ball was eventually spilled, Huddersfield were again penalised shortly afterwards for another high tackle, the penalty being put deep into the home 22 on the right. The catch and drive was faultless with emergency flanker Ash Smith (much to his delight) touching down. Another excellent conversion from Spowart tied the score, thirty-two minutes played (14-14). The remainder of the half saw Park under sustained pressure but an excellent Jonny Dubois turnover and a steal from an attacking home lineout ensured that there was no further score.

HT: Huddersfield 14 Percy Park 14

The home side kicked off and were immediately on the attack after Park were quickly penalised for not rolling away after the tackle enabling the home side to quickly get into the 22. The visitors’ defence initially held firm with a great turnover by captain Howard Stock and then a huge effort to stop Huddersfield on their own try line keeping the scores tied. Home fullback Fin Stewart was becoming more influential, and it was his mazy run that eventually put his side into the left corner. Although the attack was stopped, the recycled ball again came left, and hooker Harry Moore squeezed over despite a last ditch tackle from Spowart on fifty-four minutes. Milner kicked an excellent conversion from the touchline (21-14).

The game then became a midfield battle, both sides struggling to retain possession through indiscipline. On sixty-four minutes, Park second row Chris Reekie was shown a yellow card, as the result of a high tackle, by referee Jamie Hanson. Huddersfield were initially unable to take advantage of the extra man as an excellent midfield counter ruck gave the visitors the platform to attack forcing the home side to infringe twice in a couple of minutes to set up an attacking lineout in the left corner. Another well executed catch and drive had replacement Aaron Smith scoring, Spowart kicking another excellent conversion from wide out on sixty-seven minutes (21-21).

As the game moved into the final ten minutes, the combination of the yellow card and several key injuries seemed to affect the visitor’s concentration as in five quick minutes, the home side scored three converted tries to put the game out of reach. Firstly, from the restart, Huddersfield attacked but Park secured possession, only for a relieving kick to miss touch but find fullback Stewart. Barely a hand was laid on him as the visiting defence melted to allow him to score a superb solo try under the posts on seventy-one minutes. Milner converted the home sides bonus point try (28-21).

Two minutes later, Stewart scored again to all but secure the match. Gaining possession from the restart, Huddersfield moved the ball right for Stewart to cruise along the right touchline, again without a hand laid on him, to score the try wide out which Milner effortlessly converted (35-21). Huddersfield were now in full flow, and they scored again on seventy-six minutes when, after securing the ball from the restart, they again  attacked along the right touchline but when the move stalled, the ball was moved swiftly left for wing Ben Cawte-Davey to go over, Milner converting to put the game beyond the reach of the visitors (42-21).  

To their great credit, Park rallied in the dying minutes to score their own bonus point try to at least come away from the game with something. Gaining possession from the restart, they were able to move the ball right to allow captain Howard Stock to score wide out on the right on seventy-nine minutes with another excellent conversion from Spowart (42-28).

As the game entered the final seconds, a brief exchange of handbags between the forwards held up play with Park being awarded a penalty on halfway but they were unable to trouble the scoreboard further before the referee signaled the end of the match.

FT: Huddersfield 42 Percy Park 28

A huge effort from the team against one of the form sides in the league, falling short late in the game when for a few minutes, their defensive game evaporated. Prior to that mad five minutes, despite injuries and disruption and a yellow card, they had stood toe-to-toe with the home side in another very tough and physical game, a fact acknowledged by many of the home faithful. Credit to Huddersfield, they took their opportunities ruthlessly and in Fin Stewart have a real match winner, and it is no surprise that they sit third in Regional 1 North East, just three points behind second place York with a game in hand. We thank them for the game and for their excellent hospitality and look forward to the return on Tyneside in March. For Park, the bonus point helps keep us above Blaydon (who lost at home to Cleckheaton but collected two bonus points) and Selby who did not play yesterday. Both have also played a game more than ourselves. The side played really well, pegging the hosts back three times, before succumbing late on and post-match there was huge disappointment with the defensive lapses but, there are positive signs that a win is just around the corner. We also thank referee Jamie Hanson, who came up from the Midlands Society, and who refereed both sides superbly. 

The Lions travelled to Blaydon and secured a 19-33 win in what was, by all accounts, a great game. Next week, the 1^st XV are at home to bottom club Selby in what is a very important Regional 1 North East game, KO 2pm. Prior to the game there is a Past Players lunch which is open to EVERYONE, bookings can be made to Club Secretary Mick Ishida at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tickets are priced at £20 including entry/programme (£15 to members) and a notice to all parents, bring your child(ren) in Percy Park kit and you will gain entry to the game for FREE! Support for this vital game would be extremely welcome. The Lions are also at home to Selby 2’s in a league game, KO 2pm, so a feast of rugby is on offer. The Panthers have a rest weekend.

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Sol Kench; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Jacob German; 8 Jonny Dubois; 7 Karl Thompson; 6 Ash Smith; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Aaron Smith; Sean Nairn; Frazer McGlashan

Saturday 18 January 2025

Scunthorpe 35 Percy Park 29

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 21-21)

Percy Park travelled to league leaders Scunthorpe on Saturday for their first ever visit to Heslam Park, looking to put in a much improved performance from the 7-62 reverse suffered at Preston Avenue in October and my word, they did not disappoint, taking the game to the wire and seeing a certain late score not given which would have won them the game. It was no more than they deserved, taking the game to Scunthorpe in what was a hard physical game played on a heavy pitch, but they did gain two vital bonus points to give themselves a six point cushion over Blaydon and Selby with games in hand. It was a hard battle with, sadly, both Leo Caulfield and Tom Robinson picking up injuries, the latter necessitating a lengthy second half stoppage and a trip to hospital though thankfully he is now home but facing a long period on the sidelines. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Injury and unavailability meant that up front Park were missing Aaron Smith, Matt Atkinson, Chris Reekie and Jonny Dubois and in the backline Jordan Carey, Andrew Walker and Ross Young.

On a dull, overcast and bitterly cold afternoon Park kicked off and early Scunthorpe pressure had the visitors on the defensive but after ten minutes, a brilliant move down the left hand side started by the returning Fergus Simpson put left wing Seb Reece away and when the move broke down, Scunthorpe were caught offside with the ball kicked into the left corner. Scunthorpe illegally stopped the catch and drive, and the ball was again put into the left corner but as the ball moved infield from the lineout the ball was spilled. Park were beginning to put real pressure on the home side and it was rewarded on seventeen minutes with a try by centre Paul Spowart. After Scunthorpe had managed to clear their lines, Park won a lineout on halfway after excellent work by No 8 Matthew French. As the ball went right Spowart made an excellent break to score by the posts which he converted (0-7).

The home response was immediate and direct from the restart. The ball was allowed to bounce and Scunthorpe No 8 Ben Hyde pounced to score, the try being converted by standoff Ethan Taylor on nineteen minutes (7-7). If the home sides response had been swift, so was the visitors with standoff Fergus Simpson scoring an interception try as Scunthorpe moved the ball left on their 10 metre line from the restart. Spowart converted, twenty-one minutes played (7-14). Park conceded a scrum as the game restarted allowing the home side to pile on the pressure but superb Park defence, including one last ditch tackle on Scunthorpe centre Laurence Pearce, kept the league leaders at bay. When Scunthorpe were eventually caught offside, Park were able to clear their lines but the kick missed touch and as Scunthorpe moved the ball left centre Ash Smith intercepted a pass to move the ball quickly left allowing wing Seb Reece to canter over to the left of the posts on twenty-six minutes. Paul Spowart kicked the conversion (7-21).

Scunthorpe top the table for a reason and the score spurred them into action and for the next few minutes Park had to defend which they did to a man but the dam was forced on thirty-five minutes when, after a Park knock on, Scunthorpe attacked in midfield with a series of strong drives and when the visitors ran out of cover, wing Josh Lugsden ran in at the corner, around under the posts to give Taylor an easy conversion (14-21). As the clock ticked down to half time, Scunthorpe applied the pressure, but the visitors were equal to it, one last ditch tackle by scrumhalf Tom Robinson on the Scunthorpe left wing epitomising the defensive effort. As the forty minutes were up, Scunthorpe moved the ball right; a brilliant tackle from fullback Jacob German looked to have stopped the attack in its tracks but the ball fell straight into the hands of flanker Marcus Payne who went over to the delight of the home support. Taylor kicked an excellent conversion to tie the scores as the referee signalled half time (21-21).

HT: Scunthorpe 21 Percy Park 21

Scunthorpe kicked off the second half, but it was the visitors who seized the early initiative, attacking from the off with second row Josh Hedley to the fore and when Scunthorpe were penalised on their own 10 metre line up stepped Spowart to kick the resultant penalty on forty-four minutes (21-24). Play was halted just after the restart when visiting No 8 Matthew French required treatment. Park were looking comfortable but when the ball was spilled in midfield, the resulting scrum gave the home side the opportunity to attack. They were able to put the ball into the right corner after Park were penalised for a high tackle. Although Park stole the lineout, Scunthorpe quickly regained possession with second row Nick Dyson spotting a gap to canter over on fifty-two minutes. Taylor converted to put the home side ahead for the first time in the match (28-24).

From the restart, a superb counter ruck saw Park quickly on the offensive but a serious looking injury to visiting scrumhalf Tom Robinson held up play for some time. When the game resumed, both sides showed their attacking intent in a full blooded contest but handling errors impeded the progress of the two teams. When Scunthorpe were penalised (coming in from the side), both sets of players were able to catch their breath as the ball was kicked into the left corner. A perfectly executed catch and drive had Phil Crichton (I think) touching down on sixty-seven minutes to put the visitors ahead with their bonus point try. The conversion was missed (28-29).

Scunthorpe came again but excellent defence kept the home side at bay but when Park were caught offside on their own 10 metre line, the kick was put into the left corner and Scunthorpe repaid the compliment with their own well executed catch and drive for replacement Will Harrison to score on seventy-four minutes. Taylor kicked an excellent conversion (35-29).

In the last few frantic minutes, Park pushed for the winning score, putting the league leaders under severe pressure. Superb play put them into the home 22, the half backs Simpson and German (who had moved to scrumhalf after Robinson’s injury) dictating play. Park gained a penalty after a ruck offence with second row Nick Dyson being shown a yellow card by referee Jack Johnson. Park elected the scrum, but the ball was knocked on at the base and Scunthorpe were able to clear their lines. A further stoppage occurred when referee Johnson was knocked over after the resultant lineout but after he had received treatment and play resumed, Park gained a penalty midway in the Scunthorpe half and the ball was kicked into the right corner. The catch and drive was stopped illegally resulting in a second home yellow card, this time replacement Will Harrison. Park laid siege to the Scunthorpe line and thought they had scored with a forward (it was impossible to see who) going over but the referee deemed that Park had been held up. As the eighty minute mark approached, the pressure eventually told when centre Paul Spowart forced his way over. The reaction of the players said everything, Park elated, Scunthorpe with heads in hands but the referee was unsighted and eventually, after some confusion, signalled the Park had again been held up. There was barely time for the restart before the match ended, joy and relief for Scunthorpe, utter dejection for the visitors.

FT: Scunthorpe 35 Percy Park 29

Post game, there was a feeling of what might have been, but I have to say, what a Park performance. Each player gave everything, the forwards magnificent, the backs back to their best and while it seems unfair to single out any individual player in such a fantastic team effort, Paul Spowart deserves praise for the way he dominated the centre battle with Laurence Pearce, our chief tormentor in the heavy defeat at Preston Avenue, as does Jacob German who had an excellent game both at fullback and, after the injury to Tom Robinson, as an emergency scrumhalf.

Player/Coach Ash Smith was full of praise for his side when he spoke after the game: “We have worked so hard in training over the last couple of weeks, especially in ways to get the best out of our backline and that showed today. We are gutted at the result and know that we scored twice at the end to win the game. That decisions even out over the season really doesn’t help at the moment, but we have to lift ourselves for a tough game at Huddersfield next week. The lads are not too down as they know how well they played today”.  

Credit to Scunthorpe, they may have been relieved at the final whistle, but they showed what an excellent side they are, scoring five tries to maintain their promotion push and we wish them well for the remainder of the season. It was a great game played at full tilt by two fully committed sides and we thank them both for the game and for their wonderful hospitality and look forward to meeting them again in the not-too-distant future. Thanks, as always, to referee Jack Johnson, without whom there is no game.

There was no other rugby played by the Club at the weekend, with both the Panthers and the Lions having their games postponed. Next week, the 1^st XV are again on the road when they travel to Huddersfield in what will be another tough game, KO at 2pm. Closer to home, the Lions travel to Blaydon in the league, KO also at 2pm. All support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jacob German; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Phil Crichton; 6 Leo Caulfield; 5 Karl Thompson; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Otis Collingbourne; Sean Nairn; Sol Kench;

Thursday 26 December 2024

Percy Park 31 Whitley Bay Rockcliff 18

Festive Friendly

(HT: 10-6)

As is always the case on Boxing Day, both sides gave everything in a hard-fought encounter, but it was Park, after a tight first half, who turned on the gas in the third quarter to score three tries and effectively put the contest beyond the visitors’ reach despite a late Rockcliff fightback to retain the Moore Cup.

In the first half, both sides looked evenly matched. Park scored early through hooker Jonny Dubois though the score was unconverted. Rockcliff standoff Jack Rendles (a guest from North Shields RFC) reduced the deficit through a penalty only for wing Mack Bridges to touch down wide out, the try also being unconverted. A late Rendles penalty again reduced the deficit.

HT: Percy Park 10 Whitley Bay Rockcliff 6

Three tries from the home side in the first twenty minutes of the second half put the contest beyond Rockcliff with, firstly, centre Harry Paul finishing off a real team try, forwards and backs all involved, to score in the left corner, fellow centre Paul Spowart converting (17-6).

Shortly afterwards, Park broke at pace from their own half for Mack Bridges to score his second try in the right corner with Spowart converting (24-6). As the third quarter ended, a perfectly executed catch and drive had Eddie Saint scoring, Spowart again converting (31-6).

To their great credit, Rockcliff refused to fold and two late tries from replacement Ciaran Bounds and scrumhalf Sam Train after sustained Rockcliff pressure was no more than they deserved. Rendles was able to convert the latter.

FT: Percy Park 31 Whitley Bay Rockcliff 18

A good, hard game played in the right spirit in front of a large appreciative crowd, and it was a delighted home skipper, Jay Bartoli, who accepted the trophy post-match. But this Boxing Day fixture is not just about rugby; the bond between the two clubs, the camaraderie and the banter were so evident in the clubhouse afterwards so long may this fixture, which dates back to the nineteenth century, continue. It was great to see Jamie Wrigley back in a Park shirt too.

The senior fixture was preceded by the Colts game, played for the Albi Durhin Cup. In an exciting game, it was Park with their dangerous backs who had the upper hand over the more powerful Rockcliff forwards. Tries from centre Matt Dunn and second row Ewan Charlton opened up a 10-0 lead for the home side at the break but in the second half, the Rockcliff forwards began to take control. Two tries from No 8 Idris Pritchard, one from a catch and drive and one from a tapped penalty put the visitors ahead but when home standoff George Bogg intercepted a stray pass to score, Park led 15-12 going into the final few minutes but Rockcliff were not to be denied. A yellow card for Park fullback Joe Wotton seemed to further galvanise the already dominant visiting forwards and two late tries, both again from the excellent Pritchard with one a superb break from some fifty metres out, gave Rockcliff a well-deserved victory 15-24.

As always, our grateful thanks to the players, officials, volunteers and staff who give up their Boxing Day for us to enjoy the two games. All in all, it was a fantastic day and we thank Rockcliff and look forward to Boxing Day next year!

Next week, it’s all about Alnwick! On Saturday 4 January, our 1^st XV travel to Greensfield to take on Alnwick in Regional 1 North East, KO 2pm, accompanied by the Lions to also take on Alnwick 2’s in the Candy League, KO also 2pm. On Sunday, 5 January, it is the turn of the Panthers to travel north to our Northumbrian rivals to take on the Alnwick ladies, KO 2pm. All support would be most welcome.

Saturday 21 December 2024

Ilkley 31 Percy Park 10

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 14-7)

Park travelled to West Yorkshire on Saturday for their last league fixture of 2024 to take on Ilkley and in a hard fought encounter, played in challenging conditions, suffered a fifth consecutive loss 31-10. And yet, with just nine minutes of the match to go, just four points adrift of their hosts and with their forwards winning so much possession, Ash Smith sliced through a gap into open space with support on either side but referee Higgins signalled an offence of crossing and from that point, the visitors imploded, conceding two late tries to give Ilkley a convincing victory. In truth, Ilkley deserved the win. The Park forwards were excellent and provided the platform, particularly in the second half, that the backline were just not able to exploit due in part to superb Ilkley defence and in part to the conditions but, sadly, across the board mistakes and indiscipline again blighted the Park effort

There were several changes to the side defeated by Heath last weekend with Sam Digman returning to the front row in place of Louis Adamson, Josh Hedley returning to the second row to partner Chris Reekie and Keith Laughlin moving to the flank to replace Harry Paul. In the backline, there were positional changes, Andrew Walker moving from scrumhalf to fullback, Jordan Carey fullback to standoff, Ash Smith from standoff to outside centre, Seb Reece centre to left wing and Tom Robinson left wing to scrumhalf. The replacements were Sean Nairn, Jonny Dubois and Harry Paul.

On a sunny but extremely blustery day with rain clouds gathering, Ilkley kicked off with the visitors gaining an early penalty. From a lineout on halfway on the right, the Park forwards probed the Ilkley defence with the ball coming out right to captain Howard Stock at speed on the right touchline. Two sublime sidesteps later he was scoring to the right of the posts, centre Paul Spowart kicking the difficult conversion. As in last weeks game against Heath, an excellent start, five minutes played (0-7).

It did not take Ilkley long to respond. From the restart, Ilkley attacked and an excellent 50/22 kick gave them a lineout in the Park 22 on their left touchline. As the lineout was won, a Park high tackle gave the home side a penalty on the 22 directly in front of the posts but Ilkley elected the scrum. It was an astute decision given the swirling wind and as the ball was moved right the Park defence came up quickly only for standoff Matty Sheard to put an excellent kick in behind the defence for centre Freddie Clark to chase and score on ten minutes, fellow centre Charles Morgan converting to tie the score (7-7).

The rain began to fall after a quarter of an hour with Park securing the lion’s share of possession. A scrum penalty was won on the Ilkley 22 which was kicked into the right corner. It looked as if the catch and drive was executed perfectly but when almost at the line the ball was spilled, and Ilkley were able to clear their lines. Park were to rue the mistake as shortly after Ilkley scored their second try to take a lead they were never to relinquish. From a home scrum in the Ilkley half, the ball was kicked to touch but a valiant effort to keep the ball in play only diverted the ball into the hands of Ilkley wing Ben Walker who raced in unopposed to score under the posts on twenty-three minutes, Morgan converting (14-7).

Park almost responded immediately from the restart. A penalty for a high tackle on their own 22 gave Park the opportunity to put the ball in the right corner. From the lineout, both second row Chris Reekie and replacement flanker Jonny Dubois were held up on the line and the home side were able to clear. As the clock ticked down on the first half Ilkley should have scored again when, after a fantastic hand off by Clark, a forward pass prevented wing Harry Harrison from scoring. Park were pushed off the ball at the resultant scrum and only a knock-on prevented another certain Ilkley score. The last few minutes of the half saw Park defending well and there was no further score.

HT: Ilkley 14 Percy Park 7

Park kicked off the second half and quickly earned a penalty almost in front of the posts. Perhaps because of the conditions, the visitors elected to kick the ball to the corner, but the wind carried the ball over the dead ball line and the chance was lost. However, shortly after Ilkley again infringed in midfield (offside) and some stupid back chat gave Park another ten yards and a chance to kick for goal. Spowart made no mistake on forty-three minutes (14-10).

The Park forwards were winning possession but credit to Ilkley, they were able on several occasions to halt Park momentum by either turning the ball over or winning scrum penalties. Ilkley were unable to escape the territorial pressure being exerted by the visitors and one great run from wing Seb Reece had Park knocking on the door but as the third quarter ended, Park were in the home 22 but after losing possession, an Ilkley kick ahead had Park in trouble, standoff Jordan Carey rescuing the situation to allow the visitors to reclaim the ball.

The pendulum began to swing in Ilkley’s favour on the sixty minute mark when two quick Ilkley penalties gave the home side an attacking scrum under the posts but a huge effort from the Park eight gained a scrum penalty to relieve the pressure. As Park regained the initiative up front, the possession and territory gained could not be turned into points; dropped passes and penalties littered their play. With under ten minutes of the match remaining, centre Ash Smith (now playing at standoff due to injury) saw a gap on his own 22 to slice through the Ilkley defence. With options right and left, a score was possible but the referee had seen an offence of crossing and play was called back. Morgan made no mistake with the kick on seventy-one minutes (17-10).

The penalty seemed to invigorate the home side and from the restart they quickly won a lineout on the Park 10 metre line. As the ball came left infield Ilkley centre Morgan seemed to have nowhere to go as the Park defence came up but two brilliant sidesteps had him through to give the scoring pass to fellow centre Freddie Clark who cantered over on seventy-four minutes. Morgan kicked an excellent conversion to all but seal the game (24-10).

Ilkley were immediately on the attack from the restart, the bonus point try the aim. They gained a penalty immediately (holding on after the tackle) and, when a succession of penalties had the home forwards on the visitors try line, scrumhalf Ed Brown was able to wriggle over to score their fourth try on seventy-seven minutes. Morgan converted to give Ilkley a well-deserved, if slightly flattering, victory (31-10).

As the clock counted down there was no further scoring.

FT: Ilkley 31 Percy Park 10

A very disappointing result after so much effort but we were just unable to convert possession and territory into points on the board, particularly in that third quarter. Post match, player coach Ash Smith had this to say: “Our forwards were simply fantastic. I cannot fault their effort and commitment. They deserved better but everything we tried in the backs just didn’t work; we tried changing the backline around after Tom Robinson was injured but still nothing worked. It is so frustrating. I take nothing away from Ilkley, they are a good side, but honestly this is a game we could easily have won with the amount of ball we had. We just couldn’t use it”.

I certainly concur with what Ash had to say in respect of the Park forwards. They were excellent with, particularly, Sam Digman and Matthew French tackling themselves to a standstill. Ilkley’s defence was good throughout, and their backline was always dangerous especially Freddie Clark and Ben Walker when they received the ball. We thank them for a great game and their wonderful hospitality and hope to meet them again next season. Our thanks also to referee Mr Higgins.

The lads could at least console themselves with a ‘Twelve Ales of Christmas’ sojourn around Ilkley, suitably attired as Santa’s or Elves, before the long trip back to Tyneside.

The Colts played a hastily rearranged game under the Preston Avenue lights on Friday against Durham City losing 26-73 in a high scoring game. On Boxing Day, we welcome Whitley Bay Rockcliff for the annual festive fixtures. The Colts take on their counterparts from Rockcliff for the Albi Durhin Cup, KO 11.30 am, followed by the senior game, KO 1.30 pm. If that feast of rugby was not enough, the NUFC vs Aston Villa Premier League game will be on the clubhouse TV’s from 3 pm. Rugby, footy, ale and convivial company, what more could you wish for on a Boxing Day?

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Percy Park: 15 Andrew Walker; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Jordan Carey; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Keith Laughlin; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Sean Nairn; Jonny Dubois; Harry Paul