Saturday 12 October 2024

Sandal 57 Percy Park 41

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 29-12)

As a clearly disappointed player/coach Ash Smith came off of the pitch after the full-time team talk, it took him several minutes to give his assessment of the game: “A really frustrating Saturday for us, we score forty-one points away from home and still lose. Sandal are a good side, no doubt about that, they ran hard but on reflection, we really let one go. We have talked repeatedly in recent times about our mentality in defence and the need to tackle and win the collisions. If we don’t, we ship fifty-seven points, if we do we put ourselves in a position to win games because we have talented strike runners in our side that can inflict real damage. Today was so, so disappointing”.

The hard truth was that the game was almost over after the opening 15 minutes, Sandal having scored three tries and opened up a twenty-two point lead. Park barely played, missing numerous tackles and allowing Sandal to almost score at will. Thereafter, it’s a case of what might have been. Park ‘won’ the remainder of the half 7-12 and the second half 28-29, scoring seven tries but the early Sandal points onslaught was simply too great for the visitors to overturn.

After resting several players for the Northumberland Cup game last weekend, Park had injury and unavailability issues with Ash Smith, Will Ponton, Jordan Carey, Dan Shuttleworth and Matthew French sidelined and Matt Atkinson unavailable. Sadly, wing Sol Kench was injured in the warmup, so replacement Paul Spowart moved into the centre with Seb Reece moving to the wing. On a bright, breezy day but with dark clouds not too far away, Sandal kicked off with the breeze at their backs. With the game barely 2 minutes old, a poor Park pass in midfield on halfway was gathered by Sandal flanker and captain Will Henshall who broke along the right touchline to give the scoring pass to wing Jake Adams who scored wide out. Fullback Tom Hodson missed the conversion (5-0).

Sandal attacked from the restart and from a poor Park defensive kick, a series of Sandal drives had No 8 Dec Thompson crash over just to the right of the posts on 9 minutes, Hodson converting (12-0). Almost from the restart, Park were penalized in possession on half way for not releasing in the tackle and Hodson kicked an excellent penalty from half way to extend the home sides lead on 12 minutes (15-0). Park just could not get into the game, with Hodson missing another penalty attempt when Park were again penalised for not releasing almost straight from the restart. But worse was to come when, on 15 minutes, No 8 Thompson, from halfway, evaded three or four would be tackles to score an excellent try just to the right of the posts converted by Hodson (22-0).

At last, from the restart, Park started to gain some possession and get into the game. With Sandal infringing twice in quick succession, Park were able to kick deep into the home 22 in the left corner. The catch and drive was illegally halted, the second wasn’t with ex-Sandal player Nathan Newbound touching down on 22 minutes. Paul Spowart missed the conversion (22-5). Four minutes later, Park scored again. An excellent 50/22 kick from fullback Andrew Walker gave Park a lineout just inside the home 22. Park drove forward and the ball was spun infield and Oli Bartles-Smith, running a superb line, powered over for Spowart to convert on 26 minutes (22-12).

The two quick tries from the visitors spurred the home side into action with No 8 Thompson almost over again after unforced errors and indiscipline had given Sandal possession and territory. The game then settled down with both sides having opportunities but both defences held firm. As the clock entered the red zone, Sandal intercepted a wayward pass on halfway but outside half Mihali Joannou appeared to pull up, when well clear of defenders,  with a hamstring problem and Park were able to snuff out the danger but almost on the half time whistle, Park lost concentration to allow centre Eden Kelly to ghost through the defence wide out and score the hosts bonus point try by the posts. Hodson converted to put Sandal back in control as the whistle went for half time (29-12).

HT: Sandal 29 Percy Park 12

Within two minutes of the second period getting underway, Park scored their third try. After securing possession from a line out on their own 22, they drove into home territory and a long pass out right (from Josh Hedley? My view was obscured) found Bartles-Smith who sprinted in for an excellent score. The conversion from wide out on the right was missed (29-17).

The Sandal response was instant; driving into the Park 22, with centre Eden Kelly prominent, they were held a metre short but the visitors were unable to stop replacement Cam Allen from crashing over with Hodson converting (36-17). Worse was to follow when, after desperate defence, prop Tristan Grant was shown a yellow card after a high tackle on 49 minutes. With driving rain and a strong breeze making life very difficult for both sides, the home side were putting intense pressure on Park, intent on taking advantage of their opponents being a man down and this they achieved on 58 minutes when after a great break by standoff Joannou wing Jack Handley went over for Hodson to convert (43-17).

An act of stupidity had a penalty decision reversed and the referee marching Park backwards for Sandal to put the kick into the left hand corner. An excellent catch and drive had second row Austen Thompson touch down. Hodson kicked an excellent conversion and with 65 minutes played, Sandal were effectively out of sight (50-17).

The last 10 minutes of the game produced five tries, four to one in favour of the visitors. If only this had been the first 10 minutes instead of the last! The first, after 70 minutes, had replacement Luke Foster scoring the bonus-point try after a series of pick and go’s close to the Sandal line, the conversion missed (50-22). The second had prop Sam Digman run in after a fantastic break from second row Chris Reekie, the try being converted by Paul Spowart (50-29). The restart saw Jonny Dubois gather and two side steps later Park were back on the attack only to be penalized. Again, a lack of concentration allowed Cam Allen to put in an excellent cross kick for Luke Adams to stroll in unopposed on 78 minutes with Hodson again adding the extras (57-29).

Park scored twice in the final two minutes with Nathan Newbound scoring his second after a good midfield break, the conversion missed, and as the final whistle approached Reekie scored in a final Park flourish, the try converted (57-41).

FT: Sandal 57 Percy Park 41

If the opening 15 minutes were not bad enough, there were other crucial parts of the game where Park did not help themselves. The Sandal try right on half time gave them a comfortable cushion but if Park could just not have conceded then the early second half try from Oli Bartles-Smith would have made it a 5 point game giving Park something to aim for. In addition, two lapses of concentration allowed Sandal to score 14 points and the yellow card did not help. That said, the lads never gave up and to score seven tries away from home at this level is no mean feat, particularly against a side who pride themselves on their defence, and so there were positives. Sandal were ruthless in that opening quarter and always had the wherewithal to stay far enough ahead in order that the Park revival never seriously threatened the result. A number of the Percy Park Panthers ladies were at the game supporting the men and I asked Panther’s skipper Steph Gicquel on her view of the game: “I don’t think anyone would argue that in the opening 20 minutes, we were asleep, not in the game at all. But I thought it was an awesome performance in the second half with some great tries scored. It was a game we could, perhaps should, have won but this league is tough, and you are going to have days like this. The lads will get over the result and kick on”.

For Sandal, No 8 Dec Thompson was outstanding up front as were centres Edan Kelly and Luke Adams behind the scrum.  Fullback Tom Hodson kicked some excellent goals. For Park, once they got into the game, Josh Hedley and Chris Reekie played well as did Oli Bartles-Smith in the backline. It was great to see both Howard Stock and Leo Caulfield back in competitive action. It was a tough day at the office. Sandal were magnanimous in victory and we thank them for their marvellous hospitality as we do to the referee for the match from the Yorkshire Society. We look forward to the return in January.

The Lions entertained Novocastrians in a friendly at Preston Avenue winning 10-7 in a tight game and on Sunday, the Panthers inflicted a comprehensive defeat on Consett away at Amethyst Park winning 10-64 in a highly impressive performance. Next Saturday, 19 October, the 1^st XV are at home to league leaders Scunthorpe in what I believe is the first ever competitive game between the two sides, KO at Preston Avenue is 3pm. The Lions are at Sunderland on Saturday, KO 3 pm in what is likely to be a tough fixture and on Sunday the Panthers entertain Gateshead at Preston Avenue, KO TBC.

Percy Park: 15 Andrew Walker; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Tom Robinson; 1 Tristan Grant; 2 Jonny Dubois; 3 Sam Digman; 4 Chris Reekie; 5 Josh Hedley; 6 Nathan Newbound; 7 Karl Thompson; 8 Leo Caulfield.

Replacements: Luke Foster; Aaron Smith;

Saturday 5 October 2024

Percy Park 13 Alnwick 20

Northumberland Senior Cup (Semi-Final)

(HT: 0-17)

For the second week in succession, Alnwick were the visitors to Preston Avenue on Saturday last. Having narrowly lost the Regional 1 North East league game last weekend, this Northumberland Cup game gave them the chance to turn the tables on their Tyneside hosts which they achieved, courtesy of a 13-20 victory. Alnwick, the cup holders, built a commanding lead in the opening 40 minutes which Park, much improved in the second period, could not quite overturn.

There were several changes to the Park side from the league encounter with only Jonny Dubois, Nathan Newbound and Matthew French retained in the forwards and in the backs, the welcome return of both captain Howard Stock and centre Paul Spowart. The game was overseen by referee Yannick Debil.

On a bright sunny, breezy day, Alnwick kicked off and it was the visitors who had the better of the early exchanges and they very nearly scored after 5 minutes. Park, playing out of their 22, had a pass intercepted and wing Andrew Spark was only stopped a metre or so from the line with Alnwick eventually knocking on. However, they got their reward for the early pressure when, from a scrum on the Park 22 after another home knock on, a series of carries had standoff Callum Burn go over just to the right of the posts on 8 minutes, the try converted by scrumhalf James Blackett (0-7).  

From the restart, Park gained some possession and momentum and gained a swift penalty when three of the Alnwick backline were caught offside. The resultant kick to the left touchline gave Park a lineout on the Alnwick 22 but the throw was not straight, and the attacking chance was lost. As the first quarter ended, Park were struggling with both indiscipline and very good Alnwick defence but in a rare foray into the visitors 22, a high tackle gave Park the opportunity to get onto the scoreboard but the resultant penalty kick was pushed wide on 20 minutes. The game became bogged down, both sides infringing frequently, but after Alnwick were awarded a scrum on the Park 22, an excellent series of drives with centre Cameron King prominent saw fellow centre Rob Cuthburt score to the right of the posts on 27 minutes. Blackett converted to extend the lead (0-14).  

Park gathered from the restart and when Alnwick were penalized, both for a high tackle and for coming in at the side, Park kicked into the left corner. From the lineout, the ball was quickly into midfield but after it was turned over, Park were penalized for a high tackle and the visitors were able to clear their lines. When Park infringed yet again, off their feet at the breakdown, on their own 22 Alnwick elected to kick for goal. Blackett was on target to extend the lead on 34 minutes (0-17). In the last few minutes, both sides were unable to convert promising positions into scores through mistakes and indiscipline.

HT: Percy Park 0 Alnwick 17

Park kicked off the second half and were immediately on the attack and quickly on the scoreboard as the visitors were penalized for not rolling away after the tackle and up stepped Will Ponton from in front of the posts to kick the penalty on 43 minutes (3-17).

Park were beginning to play with width, something they had found difficult in the first half, and from a Park lineout on the Alnwick 22, the ball moved quickly left infield. At a breakdown, scrum half Tom Robinson saw the gap and ran through unopposed to score under the posts. The try was converted, 48 minutes played and Park back in the match (10-17). This stirred Alnwick into action and the next few minutes saw Park under pressure. The home side thought they had halted the visitor’s momentum after Alnwick knocked-on but Park were penalized at the resulting scrum, on their own 22, and Blackett made no mistake with the penalty kick (10-20).

The restart saw Park on the offensive but again, a knock-on gave possession to Alnwick who were quickly into opposition territory and it was only desperate defence by Park on their own try line that denied the Northumbrians. As the game entered the final quarter, Park were attempting to use width but the final pass was letting them down, too many balls spilled thus handing possession to Alnwick. However, when Alnwick themselves infringed in midfield, just outside of their 22, a successful penalty kick on 63 minutes gave the hosts hope (13-20).

Although Park showed attacking intent from the restart, Park were putting pressure on themselves in an effort to salvage the game through needless mistakes. As the 70 minute mark passed, Alnwick missed the chance to probably seal the game when they missed a relatively straightforward penalty from just outside of the Park 22 but this led to a frantic finish as Park sought the score to bring the sides level. On 76 minutes, Park won a scrum on halfway and from it, Seb Reece powered into the Alnwick half, winning a penalty. This galvanized the home side. From the lineout in the Alnwick 22, the drive rumbled forward only to be held up and Alnwick clear. Next, Park attacked right and won another penalty which was put into the right corner.  Two successive lineouts were lost, much to the frustration of the Park faithful, but Alnwick infringed again and this time scrum half Robinson elected to tap and go. The forwards could not break the Alnwick defensive line and after yet another tap penalty, the ball was lost and time was called.

FT: Percy Park 13 Alnwick 20

With our Northumberland Cup run ending at the first hurdle, maintaining our excellent start in the league can now be the focus. In truth, Alnwick deserved the victory. In the first half they were much the better side and the seventeen-point half-time deficit was, on this occasion, just too much to overcome for Percy Park in a much improved second forty minutes. For Alnwick, scrum half James Blackett was excellent and, particularly in the first half, their two centres made some strong carries. For Park, Sam Digman and Tristan Grant played well in a pack that was slightly second best to their opponents and Tom Robinson had a good game at scrumhalf. We wish Alnwick well for the rest of the competition and with one win each, we look forward to the ‘decider’ at Greensfield in January.

Next Saturday, 12 October, Park travel to Wakefield to take on Sandal RUFC in our second away league game of the season. KO is at 3pm. Closer to home, the Lions take on Novos at Preston Avenue, KO also at 3pm. On Sunday 13 October, the Panthers travel to Consett in NC 3 North (North), KO 2pm. All support would be most welcome.

Regional 1 North-East

Saturday 28th September 2024

Percy Park 26 – 23 Alnwick

Alnwick made a relatively short journey to Preston Avenue for a Northumberland derby for  week four of the 2024-2025 league campaign. The visitors hadn’t had the best of starts and lie at the foot of Regional One North-East with Park now at the dizzying height of third top as a consequence of 3 home wins and a couple of bonus points.

The visitors kicked off, playing west to east and Park decided as is their wont to run the ball from their own 22. After a couple of phases, they turned over the ball and Alnwick gave siege to the home side line eventually winning a penalty for offside. Alnwick kicked to the corner and whilst the catch and drive was repelled, the ball was played out to the backline with centre Cuthbert cutting back inside to be stopped short. Hooker Alistair Blackett was in support and picked up, going over in the 3^rd minute for the try which Evan Moir converted. 0-7.

Park went further behind shortly after when some injudicious back chat was punished and Moir stepped up to kick the penalty from just inside his own half 0-10.

Percy Park were stung into action and from a penalty following a high tackle, Park opted for the kick to the corner. Park won the line out mauled the ball close to the Alnwick line and then spun the ball out to the back line which saw Andrew Walker score under the posts from the left wing rather than his accustomed position of scrum half. With Ash Smith out injured, Will Ponton assumed kicking duties and converted to bring the score to 7-10.

On the 20 minute mark play was halted with what looked like a serious knee injury to one of the Alnwick wingers who had to be stretchered from the field of play, we hope he recovers quickly.

With the relatively new tackle-height law in play, referee interpretation can be somewhat of a lottery and Louis Adamson was shown a yellow card for a high tackle and Moir punished Park with the boot to stretch the Alnwick lead 7-13. Ponton traded penalties with Moir before Alnwick improved their lead after Park were penalised for a line out infringement. The visitors kicked to the corner and although the original catch and drive was repelled after a couple of phases one of the Alnwick locks crashed over for the try shortly before half-time. With the touch down under the shadow of the posts the conversion was a mere formality for the left foot of Moir as both side trotted off to the changing rooms for a 15 minute tea break with the visitors 10 -20 to the good.

Park started the second half brightly and just 4 minutes in turned the ball over from an Alnwick line out. Tom Robinson made a break but bumped into the referee so a scrum was awarded. Park pushed fellow Northumberland side Alnwick backwards before the ball was shipped out and a deft outside of the foot chip by Ponton had the defence turning to face their posts. Jonny Dubois was beaten by the bounce of the ball but Nathan Newbound managed to cross the line for a Percy Park try once again converted by Ponton.

The home side were again reduced to 14 men when Tristan Grant was carded for a “no-arms” tackle although even with 7 in the pack, Park had superiority in the tight and levelled the score with another Ponton penalty whilst a man down.

Another high tackle was punished, this time it was the Alnwick replacement prop Drew Thompson who was shown yellow shortly followed by his name-sake Drew Walker for being over vociferous.

Both sides were defending well and it soon became apparent that a tight game would be settled with penalties. Percy Park were awarded a kickable penalty to break the 20-20 deadlock, but Will Ponton was off target and the score remained tied.

With 10 minutes of the game to go, the home side were again awarded a penalty which was duly converted by full back Jordan Carey, although just 2 minutes later Evan Moir brought his side back level with another penalty.

With just minutes to go Alnwick had a line out in their own half and opted for back ball which was pounced on by Jonny Dubois who secured possession for Park. Eventually Alnwick were penalised for not rolling in the tackle and Carey kicked the crucial points to snatch a slim but valuable win for Percy Park who hadn’t beaten Alnwick in the league for several years.

The two sides lock horns again this Saturday, again at Preston Avenue in the Northumberland Senior Cup.

On the far pitch the Lions played Alnwick 2^nd XV in the Candy League running out winners 65-12 scoring 11 tries in the process.

Referee - Adam Tweddle

Saturday 21 September 2024

Percy Park 29 Ilkley 21

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 3-14)

Wow! What a game, what a comeback and in a display that showed real heart and character, Park came back from an eighteen-point deficit early in the second half to score twenty-six unanswered points to secure a fantastic bonus point win after what can only be described as a chastening first half effort. Credit to Ilkley, their first half performance was excellent and when they scored early in the second half to extend their lead 3-21 many of the Park faithful must have thought the game lost but this, as the old cliché goes, was definitely a game of two halves!

After last week’s defeat at Heath there were changes to the Park side with Oli Bartles-Smith returning in the centre to partner Ash Smith, returning to more familiar territory after his game on the flank at Heath, and in the forwards, hooker Adam Hay and prop Sam Digman, moving from flanker, joined Tristan Grant in the front row. Karl Thompson joined Chris Reekie in the second row, with debutant Nathan Newbound joining captain Jonny Dubois and the returning Matthew French in the back row. Tom Robinson, Josh Hedley and another debutant, hooker Louis Adamson were on the replacements bench.

On a dry, overcast day, with almost no breeze , Ilkley kicked off and Park, gaining possession, immediately showed their attacking intent, moving the ball and gaining a quick penalty but after the home side infringed on halfway, Ilkley quickly got into their stride. The penalty was kicked deep into the home 22 on their right and a series of drives from the lineout had Park under sustained pressure. Another penalty award kept the visitors very much on the front foot and, after a strong drive toward the Park line, the ball was moved left for Ilkley centre Harry Harrison to go over to the left of the posts on 7 minutes. Standoff Charles Morgan converted (0-7).

From the restart, Ilkley quickly regained possession and began to turn the screw. A kick and chase had Park in all sorts of trouble, Oli Bartles-Smith managing to save the day and from the resulting 5-yard scrum, Ilkley attacked right only for right wing Aaron Jones-Bishop to knock-on. Shortley afterwards, from a lineout on the Park 10 metre line, a clever crosskick almost had Jones-Bishop in at the right hand corner. The visiting forwards were dominating the home eight, expertly marshalled by their half backs, particularly scrumhalf Jack Maplesden. There was brief respite when home scrumhalf Andrew Walker was able to kick a good 50/22 but Park indecision in midfield from the lineout gave Ilkley a penalty. Park infringed again at the resulting lineout and Ilkley were back deep in the Park 22. When Park, defending desperately, infringed yet again, quick thinking by Maplesden had him go over 10 metres infield from the right touchline on 19 minutes. Morgan converted (0-14).

Park were making far too many mistakes, struggling for possession and unable to offer any consistent passages of play. From the restart, a clever cross kick from Ilkley fullback Matthew Sheard almost had Jones-Bishop in again at the right corner but the wing could not quite hold on to the ball. The Ilkley pack were relentless, and Park were being forced to infringe repeatedly with the pressure being exerted. On 26 minutes, Morgan hit the post with a penalty kick from the park 10 metre line on the left but 3 minutes later, Park received a lifeline when, after a storming run from wing Seb Reece, Ilkley were caught offside, and centre Ash Smith was able to kick the resulting penalty (3-14).

The last ten minutes of the half had Ilkley in Park territory but the home defence improved and as the clock wound down, it was the visitors who began to lose their discipline and give away penalties, one for a high tackle, one for not rolling away but, with a misfiring lineout, Park were unable to build any real momentum. The half ended with both sides scrapping for possession on halfway.

HT: Percy Park 3 Ilkley 14

With the replacements on and Park needing to get back into the game quickly, the second half opened disastrously for the home side when, from the kick off, a mix-up in the Park defence allowed Ilkley centre Freddy Clark to gather and scamper over unopposed with a minute of the half played. Morgan converted with Park facing a mountain to climb (3-21).

The third Ilkley try galvanised the home side and from the restart, they quickly gained possession and began to at last play some front foot rugby. Standoff Fergus Simpson and replacement second row Josh Hedley made good breaks with Park playing at speed and, in the Ilkley 22, a series of Park drives resulted in prop Tristan Grant powering over on 44 minutes to the right of the posts, but Ash Smith was unable to add the conversion (8-21). As the game restarted, Park were quickly on the offensive and gained a lineout on their left on the Ilkley 10 metre line. A storming run from debutant flanker Nathan Newbound had Park into the Ilkley 22 but momentum was illegally halted by a high tackle almost in front of the posts. The referee immediately showed a yellow card to Ilkley flanker Max Jones and Park skipper Jonny Dubois elected to take a scrum. It was a great call as from it, No 8 Matthew French crashed over and Park were very much back in the game. Ash Smith converted, 49 minutes played (15-21).

The next few minutes had Ilkley steady the ship and after winning a scrum penalty midway in Park territory, standoff Charles Morgan was off target with the kick at goal. Gaining possession from the restart, the visitors began to move through the phases only for Josh Hedley to strip them of the ball in midfield and launch Park on a quick counterattack. This was stopped by another high tackle on 57 minutes but Ash Smith was unable to convert the penalty kick. As the game entered the last quarter, Park were playing as we know they can, putting some excellent phases of play together and when necessary, defending well. Ilkley indiscipline allowed Park the opportunity to kick deep into their 22 and a throw to the front, followed by a great drive had Matthew French touching down for a great try wide on the Park right on 65 minutes. To loud cheers from the home support, Ash Smith kicked an excellent conversion to put Park ahead for the first time (22-21).

Ilkley looked stunned and as play restarted, they could not halt the Park momentum. After another excellent passage of play which was stopped illegally, Smith kicked the penalty into the visitors 22 on the right and from the lineout, Park drove relentlessly towards the Ilkley try line. As the move broke down, the ball was moved infield and when Ilkley were caught offside, Smith kicked into the left corner. An impressive catch and drive had replacement scrumhalf Tom Robinson touchdown on 74 minutes to the delight of his teammates and the Park faithful. The bonus point secured. Ash Smith kicked another excellent conversion from wideout, the ball going over in off the post (29-21).  

Park continued to play on the front foot in the last five minutes of the game, an excellent Fergus Simpson break the highlight, but they could not add to their score.

FT: Percy Park 29 Ilkley 21

An incredible game, with Ilkley dominant in the first half, Park the mirror image in the second. In what was a very physical, though very fair match, Ilkley dominated up front in the opening period, their halfbacks, particularly scrumhalf Jack Maplesden, running the show. After their try in the first minute of the second half, Park looked dead and buried but the introduction of replacement second row Josh Hedley galvanised the Park eight. Matthew French was excellent, captain Jonny Dubois led by example and debutant Nathan Newbound grew into the game as it progressed. Replacement hooker Louis Adamson, another debutant, also did well. Tom Robinson at scrum half gave standoff Fergus Simpson, who had a great second half, the time to get the backline moving at pace with Smith and Reece prominent. Ilkley just seemed to wilt under the Park resurgence.

Immediate past President Keith Atkinson had this to say post-match: “I don’t know what happened in the first half, we were awful, indecisive and slow. We looked disorganised and, in truth, Ilkley should have scored more. I thought the game was up when they scored early in the second half but, boy, did we then start to play. Credit where credit is due, a huge turnaround by the lads and in the end, a great but hard-fought win”.

The Park coaches will be perturbed by the first half performance but delighted with that of the second. Spare a thought for Ilkley who returned home empty handed after playing some fantastic rugby in the opening period and they must have thought that they were home and dry after they scored their third try early in the second half, but they could not cope with the intensity of a fired up Park side in the last half hour. We thank them for an extraordinary game, played in the right spirit, and their graciousness in defeat. It was great to play them after so many years and we look forward to the return in Yorkshire in December. Our grateful thanks also to our referee for the day from the Manchester Society who had an outstanding game. The win was however marred by what looked like a very nasty leg injury to prop Sam Digman but thankfully not as bad as first feared so, hopefully, Sam will be back in action very soon. It was certainly a bruising encounter with physio Caroline Jones kept busy.

The Lions travelled to Middlesbrough in the Candy League in a tough looking fixture and so it proved, the Teesiders winning 45-14, scoring seven tries to two.

Next week, the 1^st XV are again at home, when Northumbrian rivals Alnwick are the visitors. We have not played Alnwick in a league fixture since (I think) 2016 although we have met several times in recent years in the Northumberland Cup. KO is 3pm. In a ‘double header’, the Lions entertain Alnwick 2’s in a league game, KO is also 3pm (TBC). All support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Toby Davison; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Matthew French; 7 Jonny Dubois ©; 6 Nathan Newbound; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Karl Thompson; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Adam Hay; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Louis Adamson; Josh Hedley; Tom Robinson