Panthers Claim Victory:

Percy Park Panthers 49 - 17 Alnwick Ladies 
Sunday 22nd September 2024

This Sunday, the Panthers hosted Alnwick RFC Women at Preston Avenue, eager to rebound after a hard loss the previous week. The squad was determined to showcase their abilities, and they certainly did not disappoint.

Right from the whistle, the Panthers asserted their control with a powerful scrum, applying constant pressure that left Alnwick struggling against their strong pack. Just six minutes into the match, Livia Shanks opened the scoring with her first try, quickly followed by her second, putting the Panthers ahead 10-0.

The team's momentum continued when Captain Steph Gicquel executed a brilliant line break, outpacing the Alnwick defence. Despite being tackled just before reaching the try line, Gicquel made a precise offload to our number 10, Caitlin Ward, who scored under the posts and converted her own try, extending the lead to 17-0. The Panthers were clearly finding their rhythm.

With strong offensive plays, the Panthers continued to pressure Alnwick, keeping them pinned in their 22-meter area. Winger Sarah-Jane Laybourne made an impressive run along the sideline, passing to Ward, who was making ground until an unfortunate knock-on interrupted the play. Not to be deterred Clari Beaumont secured the next points on the board scoring a spectacular try for the Panthers.
The closing moments of the first half saw the Panthers dominate, culminating in a line break by Emily Mather, who breached Alnwick's defence to secure another try. Ward converted, bringing the halftime score to 27-0.

In the second half, the Panthers maintained their aggressive approach, leading to Beaumont adding her second try. However, Alnwick fought back, scoring and converting their first try, followed by a second, narrowing the score to 27-12.

Refusing to back down, the Panthers responded swiftly with a try from winger Alice Goodwin, marking a stellar debut for her. Flanker Nesha Wood also contributed with another try, but Alnwick kept up the pressure and managed to score again. The Panthers quickly countered with a try from Sheona McIntyre, finishing the match with a decisive score of 49-17 in Favor of the Panthers.

Acknowledging standout performances, the Players of the Match awards were given to Forward Clari Beaumont, Back Amber Hyde, and Caitlin Ward, who received recognition from the opposition for her significant contributions.

As the Panthers look forward, they are excited to take on Novo’s 2nds in the Papa Johns Junior Cup, with kickoff set for 2 PM at home. The team is eager to build on this victory and maintain their positive momentum as the season unfolds!

Penrith v Panthers
15-09-24
Final score - 41-5

On Sunday, the Panthers made the journey to Penrith for their first league clash of the season, eager to showcase their hard work and determination. From the whistle, it was evident that the match would be a physically demanding game, with both teams applying significant pressure on one another.

The first half saw Penrith strike early, scoring their first try within 20 minutes, quickly followed by a second try. As the half-time whistle blew, the score stood at 12-0 in favour of Penrith. Despite the score, the Panthers remained focused and committed, gearing up for a stronger performance in the second half.

As the second half commenced, the Panthers were fired up and ready to make their mark. However, Penrith managed to break through the Panthers' defence a few more times, extending their lead. With the Panthers fighting back our flanker Nesha Wood made a decisive move, breaking through the defence with our new winger, Joanne Clayton, in support. Wood's effort paid off, resulting in a try for the Panthers and bringing the score to 31-5.

Penrith continued to add more tries to their tally before the final whistle blew, concluding the match with a score of 41-5 in favour of the home team.  While the final score may not reflect the effort put in by the Panthers, the team's determination and focus remained unwavering until the very end. The players displayed great resilience and a strong team spirit, which will undoubtedly serve them well in future matches.

Recognizing individual performances, the Forward of the Match award went to Sheona McIntyre for her outstanding contributions in the pack, while the Back of the Match was awarded to Joanne Clayton for her crucial support play on the wing. The Captain, Steph Gicquel, also received recognition as the opposition's player of the match, highlighting her leadership and tenacity on the field.

Despite the challenging result, the Panthers are ready to regroup and build on the positives from this match as they prepare for the upcoming fixtures in the league. The season is just beginning, and the Panthers are determined to rise to the challenge ahead!

Wednesday 25 April 2026

Consett 59 Percy Park 35

Regional 2 North Play-Off Final

(HT: 42-21)

Percy Park’s hopes for promotion and the season itself came to an end on Saturday when they suffered defeat at Consett in the Regional 2 North Play-Off Final at Amethyst Park. Four weeks after suffering a high scoring, albeit narrow, league defeat at the same venue, there was a quiet confidence that we could engineer the win against the odds just three days after the County Plate Final defeat to Novocastrians but, after a bright start, a ten minute period before the first quarter had ended saw the home side score four tries that effectively decided the game. From then on, Park were always chasing the game and with a twenty-one-point deficit at the break, there was a mountain to climb. The Consett back line, much like the Novo’s threequarters last Wednesday, were electric and, particularly in that first half, the Park defence had no answers. Consett will now travel to Pocklington, winners of the Regional 2 North East Play-Off Final 34-20 against Morley, next Saturday to decide who plays York (who lost 20-14 at Middlesborough in the Regional 1 North Relegation Play-Off) for the right to play at Level 5 next season.  

There were a number of changes to the side defeated by Novo’s in the Plate Final. In the backline, Joe Wotton replaced Dan Jackson at fullback and Paul Spowart replaced Oli Bartles-Smith in the centre. The halfback combination saw George Chapman move from scrumhalf to standoff in place of the injured Jacob German with Tom Robinson coming in to the number nine shirt. In the forwards, In the back row, Austin Phillips replaced Seth Henderson, moving from the second row where he was replaced by Josh Hedley. In the front row, Dan Shuttleworth replaced Nick Macklin-Copeland who dropped to the replacements bench alongside Ethan Wilson and Charlie Miller. Sam Digman continued to captain the side in the absence of injured skipper Howard Stock.

On a sunny, hot day and on a bone-dry pitch, Park kicked off and were quickly into their stride, winning an early penalty which was kicked to touch in the home 22. From the line out, second row Chris Reekie crashed through the home midfield but as the ball was recycled it was knocked forward. However, Consett conceded another penalty at the scrum and a quick tap had skipper Sam Digman in under the posts after two minutes, scrum half George Chapman converting, the perfect start (0-7).

The lead lasted just three minutes. From the restart, Park won ball from a lineout in their 22 but the clearance kick was fielded, moved at speed right and ending with a superb break along the right touchline by Consett fullback Reece Plumtree that set up the try for centre Kevin Slow which was converted by wing Lewis Bowman (7-7). Consett scored again almost from the restart, a brilliant solo effort from standoff Ish Perkins who, with the aid of two sidesteps, ran in unopposed from his own 10 metre line, carving through the Park defence without a hand being laid on him. Bowman kicked the conversion (14-7).

Things went from bad to worse when Consett scored their third try after sixteen minutes, when quick hands again from a scrum on half way opened up the Park defence with left wing Bowman scoring in the right corner. He converted his own try (21-7). Just two minutes later, on eighteen minutes, Consett scored again, this time turning over the ball from a Park lineout throw. The ball was scooped up, moved at speed into midfield where quick hands allowed flanker Brad Smith to run in unopposed, the try converted by Bowman (28-7). The game was out of reach before the first quarter had ended. Park were struggling in the lineout and their defence, as in the second half against Novo’s, was almost non-existent.

Park struck next though, flanker Leo Caulfield scoring from a quick tap penalty on twenty-two minutes after the home side were caught offside in their own 22. Chapman converted (28-14). Consett almost replied immediately, another inventive attack from their backs only thwarted by a fantastic turnover from hooker Jonny Dubois in the visiting 22 but the home side were not to be denied for long, a Park indiscretion allowing Consett to kick into the right corner. Although the catch and drive was held, the ball was moved infield for flanker Aaron Harlow-Stephenson to go over on twenty-nine minutes, Bowman converting (35-14).

The visitors hit back three minutes later, scrumhalf Tom Robinson scoring after second row Chris Reekie made ground in the 22 and a great line from Dubois allowed Robinson to go over, Chapman converting (35-21). A high scoring half was brought to a close by another excellent try from the home side, Bowman scoring his second after Perkins made another scintillating break from his own 10 metre line, the ball secured after a Park knock-on, to give the wing the scoring pass, He converted his own try, thirty-eight minutes played (42-21).

HT: Consett 42 Percy Park 21

Consett kicked off the second half and were immediately able to exert pressure after yet another Park line out throw was turned over but the visitors returned the favour shortly afterwards, turning the ball over as Consett were at the whitewash and clearing their lines. With the visiting defence much improved, Consett, despite the lion’s share of possession, were unable to add to their score and their frustration boiled over when fullback Reece Plumtree received a yellow card on fifty-four minutes for punching. Park took advantage, Matt Dunn scoring three minutes later, after a kick and chase from fullback Joe Wotton. The ball was secured and excellent work and hands from Reekie, flanker Austin Phillips and No 8 Matthew French saw the centre score by the posts to give Park hope, Chapman converting (42-28).

With Park playing much better, their defence holding firm and only fourteen points adrift, it was no surprise that, with just under twenty-minutes left to play, Consett elected to kick for goal when Park strayed offside in midfield, Bowman adding the three points on sixty-two minutes (45-28). The game was becoming feisty, an all-out brawl erupting after a Park player was slammed into an advertising hording which held up the game for several minutes, players warned and Park gaining the penalty. However, injuries and the effects of the heat and the game on Wednesday began to take their toll on the visitors who conceded two late tries. The first on seventy-four minutes when centre Kevin Slow found a gap after sustained Consett pressure, Bowman converting (52-28) and after seventy-seven minutes when Slow secured his hat trick, intercepting the ball after Park attempted to play out from their 22 metre line. Bowman converted (59-28).

It was the visitors who completed the scoring, a kick ahead fumbled on the touchline just inside the Consett 22, wing Freddie Hara picking up and scampering over, Chapman converting (59-35).

FT: Consett 59 Percy Park 35

Player/Coach Ash Smith commented post-match: “It’s been a tough week. We spoke after the Cup Final defeat about our defence and our discipline but after a good start we lost our shape and our focus, falling off tackles which allowed Consett to take control early in the game. Conceding forty points plus in the first half left us too much to do and after a hard game Wednesday night we tired late on. That said, our discipline was much better I thought and to be fair, finishing third in the league and reaching the play-offs is something to be proud of. Good luck to Consett, they are a good side and more than capable of promotion”.  

Consett thoroughly deserved their victory, the four try blast in just ten first half minutes effectively deciding the contest; it was always going to be a tough ask to come back from 28-7 down so early in the game. Their backline was exceptional with Ish Perkins at standoff absolutely superb. We thank them for a tough, if occasionally feisty, game and for their wonderful hospitality. Congratulations on the win and we wish them all the very best for their game at Pocklington this coming weekend, I am sure that they will do the North-East proud. We also thank our match referee and his assistants from the Durham Society.

For Park, a disappointing end to the season after the third place league finish. To lose the Plate Final and the league Play-Off Final inside a few days is heartbreaking but should not detract from what has been a fine season from the lads after the sadness of last season’s relegation. It was heartening to see the togetherness in the squad post-match which bodes well for next season.

Elsewhere, our incredible Colts wrapped up a league and cup double on Sunday with a fantastic 10-57 win at Rockcliff (see separate report). On Saturday the Lions suffered a 49-14 defeat at Novocastrians while on Sunday the Panthers suffered a heavy 46-0 defeat at Berwick to finish fourth in NC3 North (North).

The Percy Park 7s take place at Preston Avenue on Saturday, 16 May, always a great way to celebrate the end of the season!

Percy Park: 15 Joe Wotton; 14 Freddie Harra; 13 Matt Dunn; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Tom Bird; 10 George Chapman; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Austin Phillips; 5 Josh Hedley; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Sam Digman ©; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Dan Shuttleworth

Replacements: Nick Macklin-Copeland; Ethan Wilson; Charlie Miller;        

Wednesday 22 April 2026

Percy Park 24 Novocastrians 42

Northumberland County Plate Final

(HT: 24-15)

The mood in the clubhouse pre match was bullish; silverware to be won, a strong side selected, a place in the Regional 2 North Play-Off Final secured, confidence high but Novo’s didn’t bother to read the script. Trailing 24-10 after thirty-five minutes, the Newcastle side then proceeded to score six unanswered tries, five in a dazzling second half display, to outclass the home side and claim a thoroughly deserved victory in the County Plate Final under the Preston Avenue lights.

In a league campaign that has ebbed and flowed but still claimed third in the league standings, this scribe has rarely seen Park so thoroughly outplayed, at times in the second half looking completely lost, unable to stem wave after wave of inventive Novo’s play, their discipline at times evaporating completely. If we needed a wake-up call before Saturday’s Play-Off trip to Consett, this was indeed it.

Park selected a strong side for the game against the DN1 Champions who have only lost one league game all season, a tough match expected and notwithstanding the Play-Off game this coming weekend.

Novocastrians got the game underway and it was the visitors who struck first after eight minutes. Two quick Park infringements (the first two of far too many throughout the match) had the City side with an attacking 5 metre lineout, the catch and drive executed perfectly for the score, the try converted (0-7). The response from the home side was immediate, centre Oli Bartles-Smith capitalising on turnover ball in the Novo’s 22 to go over to the right of the posts on eleven minutes, the conversion attempt from scrum-half George Chapman hitting the post (5-7).

After the early exchanges had seen Novo’s enjoying the lions share of territory and possession, Park began to get into the game and they went ahead on eighteen minutes, prop and skipper Sam Digman scoring after excellent work from No 8 Matthew French and hooker Jonny Dubois. Chapman was successful with the conversion (12-7). Overeagerness in the tackle, midway in the Park half gifted the visitors a penalty which was kicked reducing the deficit as the first quarter ended (12-10). The favour was quickly returned, Novo’s penalised on their own 10 metre line, the kick from Chapman straight into the right corner. From the catch and drive, Matthew French scored, the conversion missed from wide out (17-10).

Park continued to press, relentless pressure in the Novo’s 22 which was rewarded when the visitors were caught offside in their own 22, the penalty kicked to the left corner. Although the catch and drive was stopped, the ball was moved right, the ball popped up to Digman running a great line, to crash over to the right of the posts, Chapman converting (24-10), thirty-five minutes played. And that, sadly, was that from the home side. What looked like a very comfortable fourteen-point lead just before the break had evaporated just eight minutes into the second half. Novo’s scored with the last play of the first period, scoring in the right corner after sustained pressure in the park 22. The conversion was missed (24-15).

HT: Percy Park 24 Novocastrians 15

The visitors showed their attacking intent within seconds of the second half starting, a searing break from the backs splitting the home defence with only a stumble preventing a scoring pass but Novo’s retained possession and with the home defence at sixes and sevens they were able to work an excellent score in the left corner on forty-four minutes, the conversion missed (24-20). Just four minutes later, the Sutherland Avenue side went ahead for a lead that they would never relinquish. From a scrum on the Park 10 metre line, excellent hands and a shredded defence had the visitors in under the posts, the try converted (24-27).

Park tried to rouse themselves but when they turned over the ball just outside the Novo’s 22, the clearance kick from deep was allowed to bounce and the fast visiting backs were able to scoop up the loose ball and score in the right corner, the home defence absent. The conversion was missed, fifty-five minutes played (24-32). As the third quarter ended, the home sides discipline vanished with referee Graham Crozier marching the side back after several decisions were questioned. On sixty minutes, yet another needless penalty allowed Novo’s to kick to the left corner where another successful catch and drive had the City side scoring again, the conversion missed from the touchline (24-37).

The visitors missed a straightforward penalty goal attempt soon afterward but it mattered not, they scored again in the right corner after sixty-eight minutes. A poor Park clearance kick from inside their 22 missed touch had the Novo’s right-wing speeding along the touchline and a kick ahead had him scoring in the right corner, the cover defence non-existent, the conversion missed (24-42). There was no further scoring.

FT: Percy Park 24 Novocastrians 42

At the final whistle the home side looked shell shocked, as well they might, as the victors celebrated. Flanker Leo Caulfield commented post-match: “I can’t really explain what happened. We seemed to be playing well, had the game under control, but the second half we just seemed to fall apart. They are a great side and we struggled at times to deal with the speed of their backs. Too many penalties given away and games are not won with poor discipline”.

Park must have been penalised over twenty times during the course of the game and their indiscipline hampered any real chance of momentum, particularly in the second half. Defensively, Park were not at the races, seemingly unable to deal with the speed of their opponents who, at times, appeared to be scoring at will. But credit where credit is due, Novo’s were superb and worthy victors over their Regional 2 North opponents. If we are not successful in our play-off aspirations, we will have the pleasure of playing our opponent’s next season. Our thanks to them for a very well contested game and our thanks also to our match referee Graham Crozier, always a welcome guest at Preston Avenue.

The play-off game at Consett in just two days’ time will be a real test of character after this sobering defeat, KO at Am Park is 3pm. All support would be very welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Dan Jackson; 14 Freddie Harra; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Matt Dunn; 11 Tom Bird; 10 Jacob German; 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Leo Caulfield; 5 Austin Phillips; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Sam Digman ©; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Nick Macklin-Copeland

Replacements: Dan Shuttleworth; Joe Ford; Josh Hedley; Ethan Wilson; Charlie Miller; Paul Spowart