DURHAM CITY 16 – 9 PERCY PARK

The relatively short journey to Durham City began in bright winter sunshine in North Tyneside and this followed down the A1(M) until a cloud appeared over Hollow Drift and the gloom spread into the game which was dour affair which City won. It is difficult to recall when there was last a decent spectacle between the two clubs particularly at Durham City’s home. Although Park started brightly, they were always going to be facing an uphill battle after the ridiculous sending off involving Ali Blair.

Rutter kicked two early penalties, before Paul Armstrong hit back with a penalty for the home side from their first real attack into Park territory after 20 minutes. Rutter cancelled out the City penalty two minutes later as Park led 9 – 6. Despite the superior size of the City pack, Park had the upper hand in the scrums and the line outs were pretty even.

PERCY PARK 19 -20 WHEATLEY HILLS

Park were leading up to the 73^rd minute when a long range kick from Jonathan Woodcock sealed the win for the visitors by a single point. On the balance of play, Wheatley deserved their win which included three tries to Park’s one, but the result could have been so different if on one of the three occasions Park crossed the line, a try had been awarded instead of a 5 metre scrum.

Marcus Rutter returned to the Park team having recovered from flu, and started at fly half with Phil Morse having broken his hand following late night revelry post the Cleckheaton win last week. The visitors were without influential powerhouse Gaz Burns who is currently out with a knee injury.

CLECKHEATON 6 – 24 PERCY PARK

Percy Park exorcised the ghost of last season’s home and away defeat by winning 24 – 6 in a good workman- like team performance against Cleckheaton who going into the game, were undefeated at home this season. Conditions were bright and dry, although the pitch was somewhat heavy underfoot, and the home side kicked off and immediately put Park under pressure. For the first 10 minutes Cleck had much of the play with some less than inspired kicking by Park failing to relieve the pressure from the home side, although the Park defence was up to the task.

Cleckheaton scored after 10 minutes with a penalty from the boot of fly half Iain Gordon. Park responded well from the restart putting the ball receiver under pressure and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts within a minute with Simon Greatham levelling the scores.

Park who were made to work hard for the win could have earned a four try bonus point at the end, but Sheffield held out and earned themselves a losing bonus point in the process. The early exchanges were largely in favour of the blue and whites, who had much of the possession in the first quarter, but on the 20 minute mark, Marcus Rutter had a chance to draw first blood with penalty but the attempt went wide.

Percy Park were without lock Michael Langlands who had succumbed to a virus which has affected several of the squad in recent weeks. James Ponton came in at second row, and Jonny Dubois came up from the Lions to the bench as front row replacement.

It took a full 30 minutes before the scorers were troubled when Sheffield opened their account with a try by Joe Cribley after some uncharacteristic sloppy tackling allowed the centre through to cross the line. Cribley took his own conversion and the visitors led 7 – 0.

The score sparked Park into action and they responded almost immediately with a try by Phil Morse. From the kick off Park attacked the ball but there was a knock on from which referee David Conway on exchange from the Oxford Referees Society played advantage. Sheffield reclaimed the ball and kicked to touch and with advantage over, the ball came back into play on the wind with Ash Smith running hard at the visitor’s defensive line. The ball was spun wide and found Phil Morse in the line, who showed to pass on the outside which opened up a gap for him to race through for the try. Marcus Rutter converted to level the scores.