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Dangling on the Tree of Tension

: Keith Atkinson; Category: 1st XV Reports 21/22; 12 September 2021; Hits: 1541

Durham and Northumberland 1

Aspatria RUFC 12 v Percy Park RFC 24

"Dangling on the tree of tension"

Aspatria 13

For the ardent black and white supporter this was a game when you began to realise that we are developing a good side with a great team ethos by travelling to Cumbria with nine changes from the previous weekend. Despite the changes the team and coaching staff brought home a positive result with all playing to a known game plan. As champions of the faith you do feel that we are, perhaps, at the start of something.

Aspatria played direct, hard and through their forward pack and as a consequence Park had to adapt and go to the coal face to grind out a very well deserved victory. This was a game that kept the supporter and neutral on the edge of their seats as they watched the drama unfold. Park kept their discipline, worked the game and found the way to gain four points whilst denying a good side a bonus point.

From the off Percy Park were caught at the breakdown. Scrum half Steven Turner should have got the ball away. Both player and the Percy Park pack were given an introduction to the style and pattern of Aspatria Rugby. Direct. The second indicator came at the scrum. Aspatria easily won the contest pushing the away side back. Percy Park were in no doubt that their opposition were forward orientated, heavy and strong. And that’s where it ended. Lessons learnt. Park adapted, shored up, tightened the binds, made the hard tackles, kept their shape and as a consequence Turner began to find his rhythm.

Aspatria 12

A high tackle saw Michael Langlands depart the field with an obvious concussion to be replaced by Sam Digman. Instead of Park taking the 3 points on offer Ash Smith opted to kick to the right corner for the ‘catch and drive’. A successful ‘catch’ put Park on the Aspatria line. The home side defended well eventually turning the ball over and preventing the score.

Park kept at it and continued to move the ball toward the Aspatria line. The visitors went through the phases. The Aspatria tackle count was high and they were working hard but the penalty eventually came arguably preventing a higher reward. On this occasion Paul Spowart stepped up and opened the scoring with a well taken kick.

Percy Park’s ball retention was good and the back line were seeing a lot of the ball. For the first time Aspatria looked in trouble with their defence scrambled. Park were mobile and were rewarded with another penalty for what appeared to be a high tackle. Paul Spowart came to the tee and added to the score. 6 nil to the visitors.

The game had a bit of spice which came to a minor and comical eruption with Steven Turner attempting to face off with a rather large forward. I think Steven managed to give the Aspatria forward a piece of his mind from about rib height.

The game pulsated from end to end and the crowd were engaged. From a defensive position Park did well at the tackle area to be rewarded with a penalty. A large boot down field gave the ‘black and whites’ an advantage. From the resulting set piece Matty Atkinson and Jake Smith created some space to take the visitors to the home line. A strong clear out from Josh Hedley allowed Sam Digman to cross over. Unfortunatly Percy Park were unable to convert. 11 nil at the half

As we turned around the wind strengthened down the pitch toward the imposing Skiddaw background.

Aspatria started strongly and began to dominate possession and territory. It was backs against the wall stuff yet the home side could not find a way through. The game was not for the faint of heart. Having weathered the Cumbria storm, Park broke free gaining a penalty in kicking range just in front of the half way line. A few old sages adorned in Park colours doubted whether Paul Spowart could make the yards in a freshening breeze. Well our fly half does not lack confidence and a strong kick drifted and struck the post much to the audible relief of the home crowd.

Aspatria were enjoying their moment in the game and Park dug deep with some great tackles stopping the offensive. Ross Young put in one fine effort supported by wing Kiran Sutherland. Debutant Nathan Coxon was also at the fore. It was bruising. When we did capitulate we were the architect of the loss. A mis-thrown pass, a missed tackle and a mis match in defence allowed the Aspatria full back to create a ‘one on one’ before delivering a pass to the supporting winger who managed to go around the covering Park players. Disappointing at our end but well played by the home side. With a failed conversion. 5:11.

Aspatria were in the ascendency. Not that we didn’t have our moments. Paul Spowart had another attempt at goal, although on this occasion the wind defeated him.

The home side took the lead on the hour. A harsh penalty decision was given against the away side after they had cleanly ripped the ball and were off down the pitch. The resulting penalty put Aspatria on the Park 22. Ball secured it was direct muscle rugby straight toward the Park try line with the Aspatria 7 crossing for the score. 12:11

In days gone by we would have panicked here and it has been known to argue amongst ourselves. We have seen it before! In the today we have a different culture a different mind-set and this was the point when that ardent supporter realised that we developing a good team and that was further reinforced in the final ten minutes of the game.

Aspatria 10

From the re start Park carefully worked their way up field creating scoring opportunities. Another ‘no hands high tackle’ left Ross Young on the floor for several worrying minutes. Fortunately Ross got to his feet and the offending home player was dispatched to the box on a yellow card. Park used the additional number and open space to great effect. A penalty kick by Ash Smith took us to the corner. Line out won it was our turn for a bit of muscle putting Leo Caulfield in for the try.12:16.

As the minutes ticked away the drama increased as Aspatria looked to have got a break before being pulled back for crossing. At this point phones and social media outlets were on meltdown in Tyneside with the Percy Park chairman luxuriating in his armchair having one particular combustion! Penalty awarded up strolled Spowart….and wait for it…three points. Actually I think it was the ‘wait for it’ that caused the combustion!! 12.19…crucially 7 points ahead. It was tense and people home and away were dangling on that particular tree. Aspatria were hoping for something. We were hoping to give them nothing!

With the restart gathered Ash Smith took control and moved the visiting team down the right channel retaining possession as the clock worked down. Aspatria made a hash of a breakdown allowing Park forwards to generate momentum for Paul Spowart to shimmy across the line for a try….the conversion was close. 12 .24 to Percy Park

Aspatria 11

It was definitely entertaining and most definitely tense resulting in the Aspatria President bringing out a fine bottle of Laphroaig whiskey to calm shredded nerves.

Many thanks to the Aspatria alikados, players and supporters for their hospitality and welcome…even to the young Aspatria player who, with much hilarity to his friends (and myself) berated me for failing to pick him for the starting Aspatria 15…be warned they serve strong beer over there!!

Representing Percy Park

From 15…Ross Young, Kieran Sutherland, Seb Reece, Ash Smith, Nathan Coxon, Paul Spowart and Steven Turner.

From 8…Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Michael Langlands, Josh Hedley, Mark Barry, Andrew Steinburg, Adam Hay and Matty Atkinson.

Finishers: Aaron Smith, Sam Digman and Joe Cassidy.

Friendly

Percy Park Pumas 74 v Newcastle Ravens 0

Unfortunately there is no match details to hand…at the mo!!

Aspatria 10

Discarded headband inspires Park triumph

: Keith Atkinson; Category: Lions Reports 21/22; 02 May 2022; Hits: 1528

Candy Cup Final

Blaydon RFC Georgians 45 v Percy Park RFC Lions 50.

Discarded headband inspires Park triumph

I am sure it was the loss of a black bungee headband that riled our Lions side as a Blaydon player cruelly removed the said item from the head of centre Nathan Henderson. The game to that point had been all about Blaydon and Percy Park were playing within themselves. That changed when the bungee came off, as like the Henderson locks, Percy Park got into their flow and played with some real grit, zest and panache. It was exciting to watch and you couldn’t help get drawn into the spectacle and drama that unfolded in front of your eyes. It was a privilege to be there and, if you missed it, you missed a gem of a second half display from a team that showed everything that is great about Percy Park. The only disappointment on the day was giving Blaydon a 26 to 5 point head start!

Blaydon literally smashed their way to a 14 point lead at the hands of a very large and athletic centre. Things were not going great and we looked disorganized. We held on and made our response on 23 minutes through Nathan Henderson. He still had his bungee in at that point. Park moved the ball through the backs and a series of good off loads gave Nathan the space to work the try. Unfortunately the score wasn’t converted. Blaydon came back and dominated the rest of the half with a try from their second row, following devastating work from their outside centre. Blaydon finished the half with a try from their hooker. Again the play had come from Blaydon’s centre pairing who looked very good. Enough said about that and we moved into the second half trailing by 26 points to 5.

Coach Tim Walker ran the bench and altered the line up to combat their midfield play. You could put the final result down to astute tactical management but I would prefer to stay with the bungee. As the half resumed Henderson attempted the carry and had his bungee forcibly removed. That was it the hair was out and Park were riled. Andrew Clyde and Eddie Saint led the charge and with a reinvigorated Jonny Dubois we took the fight to the Blaydon line. Sam Leeds (with noted pink socks) made a youthful dart through the melee to score. Try converted. 12 to 26 with 3 minutes played.

Three minutes later Andrew Walker loitered on the touchline and used his bellowing tones to demand the ball. Received try scored. 17 to 26 and the game looked a whole lot different.

The game was going to every three minutes. Up popped the Blaydon Hooker to score. 17 to 31. Another 3 minutes and their hooker was at it again, following a very good chip and catch from one of the Blaydon centres. 17 to 38

Following the re-start and you guessed it, 3 minutes after the Blaydon score, Paul Spowart made the tap following a penalty and went. Score made. 22 to 38.

You might think we have forgotten about Nathan we haven’t! Fortunately for the author a healthy 8 minutes passed in the game before Nathan Henderson benefitted from some good work from our forwards. James Guthrie was playing well. In fact all the forwards were playing well. A forward drive ate up ground and the secure ball was given to Andrew Walker. Walker playing in Henderson across the line. Paul Spowart converting.29 to 38. The half back connection of Steven Turner and Andrew Walker were on point.

Tension was creeping into the game and there were one or two flare ups. Eventually the referee lost patience and handed Blaydon a yellow card.

With half an hour gone in the 2nd, Andrew Clyde received a pass off Nathan Henderson to take his bulk over the line to score. 36 points to 38. Then came the try that eventually tipped the balance as Andrew Walker took a 'tap and go' to give young Alex Midgley the ball on the left wing. The player had much to do and with great speed and strength danced and burst through tackles to score. A try reminiscent of his father in his slim playing days!). 43 to 38 and Percy Park had the lead with 5 (or thereabouts) to go.

Percy Park’s cheers soon went to groans as Blaydon nipped back with a try from their scrum half. With a conversion made 43 to 45. End to end. As the try scorer made his way to his team mates he came out with a great line “Lads you are two minutes away from the biggest two minutes of your life”’…he was right we had 4 minutes to go but I really don’t think that was what he meant…yet he was encouraging his team to stay in the race for that is what the game had come to. A race to the finish line.

With time ebbing away a contentious line out was given to Percy Park. A flurry of spiteful words were flung toward the touch judge in black. The referee was right to stay with his man as the decision was a Percy Park ball; albeit it probably was a Blaydon knock on and a scrum rather than a line out. Either way it was still a Percy Park ball and tensions were running high.

With the line out won Park moved the ball to the right hand corner.

Keeping possession they dragged Blaydon numbers in, leaving Nathan Henderson room out wide to the left. Barked orders were given and the ball came out. Henderson gathered and beat the covering defense to cross the line. Aware of the narrow score line Henderson took the ball as near as he could to the posts. Much to the joy and excitement of the travelling support and players. The conversion taken. Try converted Park ahead by 50 points to 45.

The referee called last play and Blaydon took possession, grappled away by Percy Park, who found that last play wasn’t really last play and Blaydon were in our half. (You could have cut the air with a knife…people needed to breathe…it was gripping drama) From the resulting line out the ball eventually ended up in Park hands and this time the ball was dispatched. The referee called time. That was it players were on the pitch, fists were raised in salute and the travelling support breathed as the home team following slumped to the ground with their team. The game meant that much too all who participated in it and this was something the presenting Durham Official commented upon. It was great to see.

With Captain Mark Sanderson’s mits on the small trophy, and following a rip roaring speech, all departed to the clubhouse for two sausages and a portion of chips. Once replete all headed back to the Coast for copious amounts of beer. Somehow the ‘small’ trophy followed refusing to be put back into the cupboard from whence it came.