SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH

BILLINGHAM 20 – 32 PERCY PARK

Skipper Michael Langlands secured a bonus point win with Park’s fourth try of the game to win this Tyne Tees derby at Greenwood Road Billingham. Both teams had to make late changes to the sides shown in the match day program with Sean Williamson coming into the side for James Ponton, who sustained an injury during midweek training. Percy Park stayed mainly with the side that had beaten Beverley the previous week, with the exception of Stu Cannon and Marc Cook who were both ruled out with injury. Alan Blakey returned at tight-head prop and Michael Langlands moved to openside.

 The game kicked off in perfect conditions if not a bit warm for the players, and Park kicked off down the slope with the sun in their eyes. After only a couple of minutes had elapsed Stu Findlay had to leave the field after tackling his opposite number into touch, and Park brought on scrum half Jimmy Baldwin to the left wing.

PERCY PARK 20 – 17 BEVERLEY

A 75^th minute penalty by Toby Davison secured Park’s first win of the season in a close encounter against a determined Beverley side. Percy Park went into a 14 point lead half way through the first period when 2 converted tries in quick succession put the visitors on the back foot.

 18 year old blind side flanker Liam Scott scored his debut try after Park were awarded a penalty close to the Beverley line. A quick tap by number 8 James Ponton maintained momentum and although he was stopped short the recycled ball found Liam who crashed over for the try which was converted by Toby Davison. Park’s back row played well throughout the game with openside Stu Cannon being awarded man of the match.

 From the re-start Beverley kicked deep and Park cleared to touch stealing the resulting line out ball which was hoofed deep into the visitors 22. Beverley ever adventurous in attack chose to run the ball out of defence, but good chasing up by Guy Pike stopped any progress and he was on hand to pick up the ball which spilled loose and darted in 20 metres for the score. Toby Davison kicked the conversion for 14 – 0.

SSE NATIONAL LEAGUE 3 NORTH

WESTOE 15 – 9 PERCY PARK

Westoe took the bragging rights from this South v North Shields derby in lovely sunny conditions at Wood Terrace. The last time the two sides met at Westoe, the home side won comprehensively in their promotion season, but this game was a closer affair.

 The hosts opened the scoring on 16 minutes from a penalty after Park were penalised for an infringement at the scrum. Westoe were a man down at this stage as skipper Younghusband was sin binned for a punch, being lucky not to have received a straight red card.

 The South Shields side had more of the play in the first half, although as their skipper returned to the field he was passed by his scrum half leaving the pitch with a yellow card for a deliberate knock on stopping a potential try with Park having a two on one in the Westoe 22. Park appeared to have kicked the ball dead in going for the corner, but the referee, not finished with the sin-binning paperwork hadn’t called time on, and the penalty was re-taken, this time as a kick at goal as Toby Davison levelled the scored on 23 minutes.

National 3 North

Percy Park 30 – 40 Firwood Waterloo

Although leading 11 – 0 at half time, Percy Park only came away from this game with a bonus point as Waterloo scored 40 in the second half. The turning point was the sin binning of Park 8 James Ponton, and whilst he was in the cooler Loo scored 21.

 Park started well with 2 penalties from the boot of Phil Morse and Toby Davison, and Josh Hedley powered over the line for a try just before half time. This was an improved performance from the previous 2 weeks, helped by the return of Jimmy Ponton and Ali Blair, but defensive lapses, saw Waterloo notch six tries in the last 40 minutes giving them a bonus point win to start their campaign.