Saturday 31 January 2026

Percy Park 29 Sunderland 14

Regional 2 North

(HT: 14-0)

Percy Park hosted third placed Sunderland on Saturday, the game played on the second team pitch for the second home game in succession due to the inclement weather. In a much-improved performance after the heavy defeat at Northern two weeks ago, Park established a 26-0 lead early in the second half before allowing the visitors two late tries to minimise the scale of the defeat.

As has been the norm this season, there were several changes to the team that succumbed at Northern. In the backline, captain Howard Stock resumed his normal place on the right wing from fullback, Will Ponton taking the number 15 shirt moving from standoff. Paul Spowart, apparent jack-of-all-trades after recent deployments on the flank and Number 8, moved back to his usual position of inside centre with Freddie Hara switching wings to replace the injured Tom Bird. Fergus Simpson moved to standoff from centre with George Chapman making a welcome return at scrumhalf. In the forwards, Jonny Dubois made a welcome return from long term injury replacing Joe Ford. There was also a welcome return from injury to the back row for Leo Caulfield with Seth Henderson also returning after missing the game at McCracken Park. Josh Hedley replaced Sean Nairn in the second row. On the replacements bench, Fraser McGlashan joined Ford and Nairn.

On a muddy, heavy pitch, with both sides struggling to adapt it was Park who struck first after a first quarter of stalemate, George Chapman pouncing to score after centre Oli Bartles-Smith charged down an attempted clearance kick. Chapman converted his own try, twenty-two minutes played (7-0).

As the game neared halftime, Park extended their lead in similar circumstances, this time Will Ponton charging the ball down and scoring after thirty-seven minutes. Chapman converted (14-0). There was no further scoring before the break.

HT: Percy Park 14 Sunderland 0

The second half opened with two quick home tries in three minutes. After forty-three minutes Park put together multiple phases with Josh Hedley finishing off with the score, the conversion missed (19-0). Just three minutes later captain Howard Stock scored the all-important bonus point try after quick hands following a Sunderland knock on, Chapman converting (26-0).

Sunderland were able to get onto the scoreboard in the fifty-first minute with a converted try (26-7), but Park responded almost immediately when sustained pressure brought a home penalty in front of the posts, duly kicked by Chapman to complete the home scoring (29-7).

A Will Ponton yellow card enabled Sunderland, after some good handling, to score their second try which was converted after sixty-minutes (29-14). There was no further scoring.

FT: Percy Park 29 Sunderland 14

An excellent result that sent that means the home side replace the visitors in third in the Regional 2 North league table, still a long way behind runaway leaders Northern and high flying Consett. We thank Sunderland for a good, hard game and wish them well for the remainder of the season. We also thank our match referee.

Elsewhere, The Lions travelled to Medicals losing 54-27 but came back strongly in the second half after being 42-10 in arrears at halftime and on Sunday our unbeaten Colts with just thirteen players travelled to Hartlepool Old Boys winning 38-53 against a side able to field a full strength side. Trailing 24-12 early in the game, they turned the game around to win convincingly, a truly epic result.

Next weekend, both the first XV and the Lions are not in action but on Sunday the Panthers travel to Consett to resume their league campaign, KO 2pm. The Colts also have a rest weekend. The 1^st XV are next in action when they travel, with the Lions, to Upper Eden on Valentine’s Day, KO 2pm.

The Six Nations begins on Thursday and all of the matches will be available to watch in the clubhouse bars.

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Freddie Harra; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Leo Caulfield; 5 Mark Barry; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Dan Shuttleworth

Replacements: Joe Ford; Sean Nairn; Fraser McGlashan

Saturday 17 January 2026

Northern 38 Percy Park 0

Regional 2 North

(HT: 21-0)

After the comprehensive defeat of Wigton a week ago, belief was high that we could give league leaders Northern a run for their money at McCracken Park on Saturday but, sadly, a much changed team (yet again) suffered a heavy defeat to our city rivals, failing to score for the first time this season and conceding six tries in a 38-0 loss.

In truth, Park were never in the game from the fifth minute after conceding the first try, with very little offered in attack, gifting the hosts possession on far too many occasions with defensive lapses proving costly at crucial times. That said, stubborn defence for the most part restricted Northern, who did not quite reach the heights that they displayed in their win at Preston Avenue earlier in the season, in a game that was short on quality but long on niggle.

Park, with so many players injured or unavailable, made changes to the side that took the field against Wigton. In the back line, captain Howard Stock found himself at fullback for the first time this season, Freddie Hara replacing him on the wing. Will Ponton moved to standoff from fullback to replace the unavailable George Chapman. In the forwards, Jake Bell replaced Mark Barry in the back row, Barry moving into the second row to partner Sean Nairn, the regular pairing of Chris Reekie and Josh Hedley unavailable. On the all new replacements bench, Archie Graham, Josh Sho-Perring and Isaac Nokes.

Northern kicked off on a cold overcast day and were ahead in just under five minutes, Park caught offside on their own 22 metre line, the kick into the corner giving the hosts the chance to catch and drive which they took, No 8 Rob Lenderyou touching down with standoff Will Jobling kicking the extras (7-0).

Park could not seem to get a foot hold in the game, too many penalties halting any attempt at momentum. It seemed to be all Northern but Park were matching the home sides attack with excellent defence, firstly winning an excellent turnover on their own 10 metre line (Matthew French to the fore) and then Northern giving away a needless penalty after an off the ball shove, stupid niggle that was a feature throughout the game. As the first quarter ended, wing Tom Bird, the five try hero last week, so close to an interception that surely would have seen him score but he was just unable to hold on to the ball. On twenty-three minutes, Northern showed their class, swift handling right from a scrum on half way, two missed tackles along the right touchline, an inside pass and Lenderyou was in for his and Northern’s second try just to the right of the posts, Jobling again converting (14-0).

The next few minutes showed the best and worst of Park on the day. Another excellent turnover by No * Matthew French on their own 10 metre line was wasted the ball was lost cheaply with Northern again attacking at speed along the right touchline with only a desperate cover tackle by (I think) skipper Howard Stock preventing the score. Park were having trouble holding on to possession and it was to cost them again in the thirty-first minute with another home turnover and another missed tackle in midfield seeing centre Nyle Godsmark scoring underneath the posts, Jobling converting to give the hosts a substantial half time lead (21-0).

HT: Northern 21 Percy Park 0

The second half started with the home side exerting pressure but unable to penetrate the Park defence and just when the visitors looked to have broken the stranglehold a penalty was gifted to the home side, made worse by stupid backchat that had Park marched ten yards back by referee Yannick Debit. Park lost the plot with Northern attacking along the left and two missed tackles later on prop Josh Coombes, Lenderyou was completing his hat trick, in at the left corner on fifty-two minutes. Jobling missed the difficult conversion (26-0).

As the third quarter ended, Park seemed to be gaining some parity with the hosts in terms of possession and territory with replacement Josh Sho-Perring showing some real pace. A wayward Park kick was ruthlessly exploited by the home side, wing Jimmy Howarth initiating a counter attack that was finished by captain and flanker Tom McCullough crashing over on 70 minutes, the conversion missed (31-0).

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when wing Tom Bird was shown a yellow card for retaliation as the clock wound down, Northern taking full advantage, second row Dom Warby scoring under the posts with the last move of the match after excellent work from replacement Murray Brown, Jobling’s conversion signaling the end of the match (38-0).

FT: Northern 38 Percy Park 0

A sobering afternoon but one put onto context by injured player coach Ash Smith: “I was proud of our commitment and at times our defence was outstanding but, with the players we have missing, it was always going to be a struggle. We could not secure enough ball to really see what our backs could do but credit to Northern, they are a very good side and they are deservedly top of the table. We have to regroup for Sunderland in a fortnight”.

Despite the scoreline, Park were competitive throughout and it is not often that we do not trouble the scoreboard in a game. A weakened team fought well but the league leaders were just too strong on the day. We remain third in the table behind our hosts, who have a commanding lead at the top of the table, and Consett but there are teams just below us, Sunderland and Keswick, with a game in hand. The race for the play-of places will be tight.

We thank our hosts for their hospitality and a hard fought game together with referee Yannick Debbit, without whom there is no game.

Elsewhere, the Panthers have had a good start to 2026, there game at Ponteland being awarded and forcing a 14-14 draw at home to second placed Alnwick last weekend. They remain third in NC 3 (north) North.

The 1^st XV do not have a game next weekend and they are next back in action on Saturday 31 January when Sunderland are the visitors, KO 3pm. Next weekend however, the Lions are scheduled to host Alnwick on the Saturday, KO 2pm, the Panthers and Colts have no fixtures.

 Percy Park: 15 Howard Stock ©; 14 Freddie Harra; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Tom Bird; 10 Will Ponton; 9 Jacob German; 8 Matthew French; 7 Jake Bell; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Mark Barry; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Dan Shuttleworth

Replacements: Archie Graham; Josh Sho-Perring; Isaac Nokes

Saturday 10 January 2026

Percy Park 57 Wigton 17

Regional 2 North

(HT: 19-5)

In our first game of the new year, Park enjoyed a convincing win against bottom of the league Wigton with in-form wing Tom Bird scoring five tries. The victory moved Park up to third in the Regional 2 North table though this was only one of two games played in the league owing to the freezing weather of late. Late pitch inspections revealed that the first team pitch was not playable so the game took place on the second team pitch in sunny, though extremely cold, conditions. The game was closer than perhaps the final score suggested with Wigton more than playing their part in an entertaining game, unlucky not to come away with a losing try bonus point. As no scribe was available for the game this is a truncated report with, hopefully, normal service resumed next week.

As is sadly the case, week in week out, there were the usual changes necessary to the team that played in our last home league game just prior to Christmas. In the back line, the injured Seb Reece and unavailable Matt Dunn were replaced by Fergus Simpson (moving from standoff) and the returning Oli Bartles-Smith. Tom Bird returned to the left wing in place of Jacob German who moved to scrumhalf. George Chapman moved to standoff from scrumhalf. In the forwards, Chris Reekie returned to the second row replacing Fraser McGlashan and in the back row, centre Paul Spowart resumed his back row conversion replacing Seth Henderson.

It took just six minutes for Park to register the first score, Tom Bird opening his account, the conversion missed. Four minutes later, fullback Will Ponton scored, George Chapoman converting. Wigton got a foothold in the game, scoring after thirty-six minutes but Park replied instantly two minutes later, Sam Digman scoring with Chapman converting.

HT: Percy Park 19 Wigton 5

The second half was really one way traffic with the home side putting the game beyond Wigton within thirteen minutes of the match resuming. Quick fire tries from Bird (two) and centre Fergus Simpson, all converted by Chapman, gave the hosts an almost unassailable lead 40-5 and although Wigton hit back on eighteen minutes with a converted try, a further Bird try effectively put the game to bed.

A yellow card for hooker Joe Ford (tip tackle) on thirty-four minutes allowed Wigton the opportunity to score their third try a minute later. Park, however, finished with a flourish, Sam Digman and Tom Bird scoring late tries, one converted, to take an emphatic win.

FT: Percy Park 57 Wigton 17

The only other game in the league took place at West Hartlepool, with the hosts defeating Upper Eden 32-21.

The first XV travel to league leaders Northern next Saturday (17 January) in what is bound to be a very hard fought game. KO is 2pm. The Lions have no scheduled fixture but please check club social media platforms as that may change. The Panthers are due to host Alnwick in a league encounter on Sunday 18 January, KO 2pm. The Colts host Redcar on Sunday, KO 1pm. All support for our teams would be gratefully received.

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Tom Bird; 10 George Chapman: 9 Jacob German; 8 Matthew French; 7 Mark Barry; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Dan Shuttleworth

Replacements: Nairn; Hara; Bell

Saturday 20 December 2025

Percy Park 46 Guisborough 5

Regional 2 North

(HT: 29-0)

After two successive league defeats, Park returned to winning ways in their last game before the festive league break with a comprehensive victory over, on the day, an outclassed Guisborough side. Both sides came into the match with identical playing records, with six wins and one draw from twelve games played, Park six points better off due to more bonus points scored. Park were a completely different side to that which shipped over a point a minute in the opening quarter at Durham City last time out, ensuring that they had a stranglehold on the game from the second minute when Matt Dunn scored their opening try. The game was probably over as a contest by half-time, Park having built a commanding 29-0 lead with the try bonus point secured.

There were the inevitable changes to the side defeated at Durham with Will Ponton moving from centre to fullback. Elsewhere in the backline, Seb Reece made a welcome return to outside centre with Jacob German moving to the left wing from fullback in place of Tom Bird who dropped to the replacements bench. Up front, Matthew French returned to the No 8 position in place of Josh Cox, Mark Barry replacing the unavailable Paul Spowart on the flank, Josh Hedley replacing Sean Nairn in the second row and it was all change in the front row with Dan Shuttleworth moving from hooker to loose head prop, Joe Ford hooking and Sam Digman returning at tighthead. On the replacements bench, Sean Nairn joined Tom Bird and Andrew Walker.

On a dark, dank but dry day, hardly festive season weather, and after a magnificent Christmas Lunch in the Clubhouse, Park kicked off with the visitors immediately knocking on. After several reset scrums, Park carried strongly into the Guisborough 22 and when the ball was moved right, Matt Dunn, running a superb line, cut through the defence to score to the right of the posts on two minutes. Scrumhalf George Chapman converted (7-0). From the restart, Park were relentless in attack, forcing two five metre scrums that they were unable to convert into points but from a lineout midway in the Guisborough half, an excellent cross field kick from standoff Fergus Simpson was two difficult for Guisborough fullback Will Deeks to deal with and his opposite number Will Ponton was on hand to touch down the loose ball on fifteen minutes. Chapman was unable to convert the difficult conversion (12-0).

Guisborough began to get into the game and in the next few minutes had their best spell of possession and territory, eventually managing their first foray into the Park 22. However, when Park regained possession from a defensive lineout they were straight on the offensive, moving the ball at speed and eventually forcing a Guisborough defensive lineout on the left touchline, deep in the visiting 22. Guisborough made a mess of the lineout, Park turning over the ball and after several carries that brought the home side almost to the Guisborough try line, the ball was moved right and after a lovely side step, standoff Fergus Simpson went over to the right of the posts on twenty-four minutes. The try was unconverted (17-0).

Things went from bad to worse a few minutes later, the home side forcing an attacking lineout on the right, five metres out. The catch and drive did not quite go to plan but Park retained possession, the ball moving left infield for, eventually, replacement Andrew Walker to snipe over just to the right of the posts on thirty-two minutes. Chapman converted (24-0).

The visitors were desperate to get a foothold in the game and a storming run from flanker Oliver Muir put them into the Park 22 but they were unable retain possession and great interplay between forwards and backs along the right touchline had Park on the visiting 22 with Guisborough straying offside as the ball was moved infield left. The ball was kicked to the right corner and a perfect catch and drive had (I think) Dan Shuttleworth scoring. It was difficult to see and the video is unclear so if I have credited Dan by mistake, apologies! The try was scored on thirty-eight minutes, and was unconverted (29-0).

HT: Percy Park 29 Guisborough 0

Guisborough started the second half the better side, searching for a way back into the match and enjoying their best attacking spell of the game so far. When three Park players strayed offside on half way, the kick to touch gave the visitors an attacking lineout deep in the home 22. The catch and drive was stopped at source but Guisborough moved the ball right and then left but too laterally, steadily giving up territory to the home sides ferocious defence, eventually knocking on under the pressure. Park, with real pace, soon had the ball in the Guisborough 22 and, after turning the ball over after a home defensive scrum, soon added to their score. The ball was moved right and when the final pass had captain Howard Stock isolated on the right wing, he did really well to keep the ball alive. It was moved infield, Josh Hedley used his strength to break the defensive line and an excellent offload had flanker Seth Henderson score just to the left of the posts on fifty-one minutes, Chapman converting (36-0).

There was no let up by the home side who were immediately on the attack from the restart with only desperate defence by the visitors keeping their line intact but, when Guisborough were penalised for a high tackle and Park were unable to make anything of the advantage played, referee Alun Ross brought play back midway inside the visiting 22 for Chapman to kick the penalty goal on fifty-seven minutes (39-0).

From the restart, Guisborough gained possession but were stopped around the home 22 metre line only for centre Matt Dunn to stray offside. The resultant penalty kick was put into the right corner and although the catch and drive was stopped, Guisborough retained the ball probing the home defence on their try line. The excellent Park defence held firm only for a ruck infringement to give the visitors a penalty in front of the posts. A quick tap was held but the ball was moved swiftly right for fullback Will Deeks to wriggle over in the right corner after fifty-nine minutes, scrumhalf George Speakman unable to kick the difficult conversion (39-5).

Guisborough had their tails up over the next ten minutes with catch and drives in both the left and right corners, each one repelled by superb Park defence but when the ball was turned over in the Park 22, the home side struck with devastating speed to score the best try of the game. Matt Dunn made an electrifying break into the Guisborough half, the move taken on along the left touchline, and when the move broke down just inside the Guisborough half, there was Will Ponton to pick up and go over unopposed for the final try of the match after seventy minutes, Chapman converting (46-5).

The final ten minutes provided no further scoring, both sides tiring after a hard-fought game.

FT: Percy Park 46 Guisborough 5

Post match, captain Howard Stock was a happy man: “The win was well deserved, we really played well and it is just what we needed after the last couple of weeks. After last weekend, we really wanted a response and the lads delivered. A bonus point win just before the league break will give us confidence for the games ahead and a chance to get into the league play offs. A job well done today”. The only blemish on the game from a Park perspective was a shoulder injury to centre Seb Reece who may be out of action for a few weeks. Our thanks to Guisborough for a good, hard game and to the referee Alun Ross.

The team played well as the captain acknowledged with everyone contributing and the bonus point win moves Park up to third in the Regional 2 North table. Northern and Consett have put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack with just six points separating Park in third and Upper Eden in eighth. All to play for in the new year!

Our grateful thanks to Guisborough RUFC for the photograph

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Matt Dunn; 11 Jacob German; 10 Fergus Simpson: 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Mark Barry; 5 Fraser McGlashan; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Dan Shuttleworth

Replacements: Sean Nairn; Andrew Walker; Tom Bird

 

Friday 26 December 2025

Whitley Bay Rockcliff 35 Percy Park 62

Moore Cup

(HT: 24-21)

In front of a large Boxing Day crowd, and following an absolute cracker of a match between our respective Colts (see separate post), Whitley Bay Rockcliff hosted Percy Park in the annual festive game, first played 135 years ago on Boxing Day 1890. A newspaper at the time described that very first game as ‘one of the most stubbornly fought club games ever played in the district’ and this game was no different! After an excellent first half, Rockcliff held a slender lead 24-21 but after the break it was really all one-way traffic but make no mistake, this was a hard-fought game. There was a poignant edge to the day with fundraising for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity in memory of Rockcliff’s U13 player James Black who tragically passed away in October last.

Park fielded a strong side with Ash Smith and Chris Reekie returning to the side and in a late change, the very versatile Paul Spowart came in as No 8! The only problem for this scribe were the number of replacements, with the match becoming very much like a rugby league style revolving door as players came and went! 

On a cold, dry day, Park kicked off but it was Rockcliff who came out of the blocks the fastest, scoring two excellent tries through their half backs in the first fifteen minutes. Returning captain and scrum half Sam Train got the first after just eight minutes, the second from standoff Will Forster after fourteen minutes, Forster converting both to open up a fourteen point lead.

The visitors hit back almost immediately, gaining a penalty in front of the posts after Rockcliff strayed offside. Electing the scrum, Park got the shove on and No 8 Spowart was able to touch down to narrow the gap, converting his own try on nineteen minutes. The scores were level on twenty-six minutes after a long period of possession and territory, Sam Digman going over under the posts after excellent work from the forwards from another scrum. Spowart again converted (14-14).

Rockcliff refused to lie down and got themselves back in front when, after great work from Train and his forwards to get into the visiting 22, left wing Aiden Lydall, running a great line, split the Park defence to score to the left of the posts on thirty minutes, Forster converting (21-14). The home side were disrupted when No 8 Connor Madden suffered a head injury as Park applied the pressure which finally told after thirty-five minutes when, after a Rockcliff infringement allowed the visitors to kick into the right corner, second row Chris Reekie scored after a text book catch and drive. Spowart kicked the conversion to level the scores again (21-21). As the first half ended, Rockcliff kicked a penalty to take a narrow lead into the break.

HT: Whitley Bay Rockcliff 24 Percy Park 21

Rockcliff kicked off the second half and from the restart Park gained possession, moved the ball at speed up field, backs and forwards combining for second row Chris Reekie to crash over for his second try, Spowart converting to put Park in front for the first time in the match. (24-28). Back came the hosts, scoring a sensational try to regain the lead. A brilliant break from centre Matt Brister, followed by a deft cross field chip, was taken over the line by Lydall for a great try on forty-seven minutes. Forster converted (31-28).

The next try was equally as good as Park scored to restore a lead that they would never relinquish. A break by replacement wing Tom Bird along the left touchline left the home defence trailing in his wake and his inside pass found fullback Will Ponton who scored on fifty-two minutes. The conversion was missed (31-33). From then on, until the dying seconds, Park dominated scoring five tries. After fifty-four minutes, Spowart scored his second following a midfield break, on fifty-nine minutes replacement Dan Jackson touched down, ten minutes later it was Reekie scoring his hat trick after great work by both Park centres in midfield, replacement Archie Graham scored after seventy-two minutes with the Park scoring completed by scrumhalf Jacob German after seventy-five minutes, of which two were converted by replacement James Towell. Rockcliff got their reward for never giving up as the clock entered the red zone, flanker Idris Pritchard scoring in the left corner.

FT: Whitley Bay Rockcliff 36 Percy Park 62

A highly competitive match played in the right spirit and afterwards, the craic was everything that this fixture always delivers, a wonderful atmosphere in the Hillheads clubhouse, the result an afterthought. Our grateful thanks to both sets of players and to the officials for giving up their time and to Rockcliff for their wonderful hospitality. The Boxing Day fixture is one that I hope lasts for another 135 years and beyond.

Our next 1^st XV fixture is on Saturday 10 January 2026 when we entertain Wigton at Preston Avenue, KO 3pm. The Lions fixture for that weekend will be confirmed as soon as possible. The Panthers resume their league campaign in NC 2 North (North) on Sunday 11 January when they travel to Ponteland, KO 2pm. The Colts host Northern at home on Sunday in the County Plate Semi-Final, KO 1pm.

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Matt Dunn; 12 Isaac Nokes; 11 Tom Bird; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Jacob German; 8 Paul Spowart; 7 Fraser McGlashan; 6 Mark Barry; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sean Nairn; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Sam Digman

Replacements: Josh Eapen; Jack White; Jamie Guthrie; Ben Coates; Archie Graham; James Towell; James Hare; Josh Bailey; Dan Jackson