Saturday 30 September 2023

Percy Park 49 Morpeth 16

(HT: 10-13)

Regional 2 North

On Saturday, Percy Park hosted our friends and rivals from Morpeth RFC in an eagerly anticipated top of the table clash between the only two sides with 100% records in Regional 2 North. Park, courtesy of four try bonus points in their opening games, sitting proudly on top of the league with our visitors one place below them. Morpeth had enjoyed home wins over Stockton and Consett before winning a close game at West Hartlepool 23-27 and, last weekend, ending Durham City’s unbeaten start to the new campaign 18-12 at Mitford Road in another close encounter.  A hard fought game was expected and that proved to be the case in a tight first half where Park were hampered, at times, by over elaboration and by an unacceptable lack of discipline. However, the second half was a completely different match with Park rampant and at their best to record a comprehensive victory and consolidate their position at the summit of Regional 2 North. 

Park kicked off in dry but overcast conditions with a slight breeze. They showed their attacking intent almost immediately, full back Toby Davison hitting the line at pace only for wing Ross Young to unfortunately knock-on. Young made amends soon afterwards when he made ground off of his wing wide on the right and as the ball was moved quickly left, prop Sam Digman made ground before the ball was shifted left again at speed into the hands of second row Josh Hedley who crashed through several attempted tackles to score the opening try to the left of the posts on 6 minutes. Ash Smith converted (7-0).

Morpeth were able to hit back almost immediately when from the kick-off after try scorer Hedley was penalised for a high tackle. Morpeth full back Jake McKay made no mistake with the kick on 8 minutes (7-3). Worse was to come 3 minutes later; Park stole the ball from the malfunctioning Morpeth lineout on the left and the ball came infield. The move collapsed and with Park at sixes and sevens Morpeth were able to rip the ball from Park hands with a two on one advantage. A quick pass and left wing James Turner streaked away from his own 10 metre line to score an excellent opportunist try to the left of the posts which was converted by McKay (7-10). Park were struggling with their discipline, Morpeth able to relieve any pressure from the resultant penalty kicks, and Park scrum half Andrew Walker was being given a torrid time by his opposite number Jack Elliott. However, as the first quarter ended Park were again penalised (not releasing in the tackle) midway in the Morpeth half only for the penalty to be reversed after the referee Mr Morrisson spotted Morpeth foul play. Ash Smith kicked the penalty to tie the score (10-10). Park were looking to play an expansive game but were hampered by a lack of accuracy as demonstrated when a storming Josh Hedley charge and excellent off-load ended almost at the Morpeth try line with a home side knock-on.

As the first half progressed, the Park forwards were gaining ascendancy and a catch and drive from a lineout in the Morpeth 22 almost resulted in a try but Morpeth were able to disrupt and gain a penalty. The struggle with their discipline continued and this allowed Morpeth to gain possession and territory. On the half hour mark, as Morpeth applied pressure in the Park 22 with a series of forward drives, the hosts were penalised several times in quick succession with advantage being played but when Morpeth failed to capitalise, play was stopped. Park skipper Howard Stock was spoken to regarding the penalty count by referee Morrisson and McKay kicked the penalty from wide out on the left (10-13). As the second quarter clock ticked down, Park had the upper hand territorially but could not convert their pressure into further points.

HT: Percy Park 10 Morpeth 13     

Morpeth kicked off the second half with a kick which went straight into touch, a sign perhaps of things to come. Park gained an immediate penalty award as the Morpeth eight began to splinter from home pressure at the scrum. Ash Smith kicked the penalty from just inside his own half to again tie the score (13-13). But, as happened in the first half, Park were immediately penalised themselves after scoring when, attempting to play out of their own 22 after the restart, stand-off Fergus Simpson was adjudged not to have released the ball after being held in the tackle and up stepped McKay to kick the penalty, putting Morpeth ahead after just 4 minutes of the half (13-16). The Park eight began to dominate, winning another scrum penalty which was kicked to the right hand corner by Smith. The catch and drive was halted illegally and Morpeth No 8 Josh Williams received an immediate yellow card from the referee. Park elected a scrum and although untidy it resulted in Park second row Chris Reekie eventually being driven over for the try on 49 minutes. The score was not converted (18-16).

From the restart, as Park played out of their 22, hooker Jonny Dubois was the recipient of a  high tackle with the penalty kick putting Park on the Morpeth 10 metre line. The ball was moved right infield from the lineout where both Park second rows made ground. The ball was taken on by Smith and left wing Ross Young but when the move broke down the ball was quickly moved right for prop Sam Digman to crash over from 5 metres to the left of the posts. Smith converted (25-16).

Morpeth were becoming ragged, the restart again going straight into touch gifting the home side possession. Park were beginning to eliminate the mistakes, keep their discipline and play expansively. The reverse was true of our visitors who under pressure were losing their own discipline and as the third quarter ended, a sweeping Park move along the right hand touch line involving both forwards and backs was halted after Morpeth scrum half Elliott killed the ball illegally, receiving a yellow card for his trouble, 5 metres from their try line. The resultant penalty kick was put into touch with Park hunting the bonus point try which duly arrived after a catch and drive had Jonny Dubois scoring wide out on the right. Ash Smith was unable to convert (30-16).

Now struggling up front, a Morpeth put in at a scrum midway in the Park half for a knock-on had their forwards splinter under pressure from the home pack and it was now the Morpeth captain who was spoken to by referee Morrisson regarding the penalty count. From the resulting lineout, Park moved quickly up field, forwards to the fore, and as Park moved towards the try line yet another penalty was awarded to the home side for a Morpeth player making no effort to roll away after a tackle, much to their captain's frustration. Smith kicked the penalty to touch in the left hand corner, a catch and drive from the lineout and it was that man Mr Dubois scoring again on 68 minutes. Smith converted (37-16).

On 74 minutes, Park scored again; Ross Young with a jinking run made ground from half way and when tackled the ball was moved quickly right to find captain Howard Stock moving at pace along the right wing and his inside pass, taking out the last defender, found centre Paul Spowart who dived over for an excellent try which was converted by Ash Smith (44-16). 

The Morpeth restart again went straight into touch allowing Park possession and an attacking platform. Swift movement almost had the forwards scoring again but they were held up over the line. As the clock ticked down, Park were hunting try number seven and exerting great pressure on their visitors to achieve it with a Morpeth prop receiving a yellow card, their third of the game. The pressure eventually told with the quick thinking Spowart giving the scoring pass from a tap penalty to second row Josh Hedley for his second try of the match to the left of the posts which was unconverted by Ash Smith (49-16).

FT: Percy Park 49 Morpeth 16

The second half performance was exceptional and after a difficult first half, all credit to Morpeth, whatever was said at the break clearly worked. The Park eight were excellent, particularly the second row pairing of Chris Reekie and Josh Hedley together with hooker Jonny Dubois. Five wins from five games, five try bonus points to sit at the summit of Regional 2 North. Centre Seb Reece, sadly injured with a hamstring problem but watching from the sidelines, believes that this team has the confidence and ability to make a real challenge for promotion this season and when player/coach Ash Smith was asked his opinion of the second half performance he made a one word reply: “Class”. It is hard to disagree. Morpeth worked exceptionally hard in the first half to deservedly lead at half time but were overwhelmed after the break with three yellow cards not helping their cause but their start to the season has been excellent and they will be there or thereabouts at the season’s end. We look forward to the return at Mitford Road in January. Our grateful thanks as always to today's referee, Adam Morrisson. There is no 1st XV game next week, the Alnwick County Cup game being postponed, with a visit to Consett in a fortnight the next league outing. We look forward to the return

Percy Park: 15 TobyDavison; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Michael Langlands; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Andy Dunn; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Joe Thompson; Aaron Smith; Robin Houghton. 

REGIONAL 2 NORTH – WEEK 4

UPPER EDEN RUFC 3 – 32 PERCY PARK RFC

Percy Park travelled across to Cumbria for the second time in 2 weeks this time to take on league new boys Upper Eden promoted as champions of Cumbria 1 last season. With the Cumbrians also playing in black and white, Park changed to a red white and black combo on a sunny bright day in scenic settings. This was the first time the two sides had met and promised to be a close affair with Park un beaten so far this league season, and the hosts having won two from three losing narrowly by a single point last week at Durham City.

The visitors started brightly and were on the score board after only 3 minutes after skipper Howard Stock crossed the line for a try on the left flank. Park kicked to the corner from a penalty and from the resulting line out spread the ball right then back left to allow Park’s left wing to go over, with Ash Smith converting. 0-7.

Three minutes later Smith slotted a penalty after the home side were penalised for not rolling away in the tackle.0-10.

Upper Eden were awarded a kickable penalty after Park were spotted with hands in the ruck and fly half Oliver Bennett was on target to claim the points for his side which would be their only score of the day. 3-10.

Percy Park had scrum dominance and pressed the Upper Eden line, and after a few forward carries Josh Hedley crashed over and with an extended arm dabbed the ball down. The force of placing the ball saw it bounce up after grounding and the referee who was on the other side of a mass of players judged the ball had been knocked on and the try was disallowed.

Eden were awarded a scrum on their 5 metre line and number 8 John Blue showed his skill and pace to pick up from the base of the scrum going backwards and ran a full 50 metres before being brought down in the Park half.

The Cumbrians defended well for the remainder of the half with Park being held up over the line and being denied their second try of the game, however they were reduced to 14 men with a player sent to the sin bin. Park ended the half with another Ash Smith penalty 3-13.

Percy Park started the second half as they did the first with the returning Leo Caulfield going over 3 minutes in. From a line out in the home 22 the ball to the back found the Park number 8 in space and he burst through and over the line to score with Ash Smith claiming the extras. 3-20.

Park claimed their bonus point with a Jamie Wrigley try 5 minutes later. From a scrum in the Upper Eden half the ball was spread through the back line with the Park fullback cutting through a gap to score, and once again Ash Smith was on target to extend the lead to 3-27.

With half an hour still to go the visiting supporters could be forgiven for expecting a large score, but Pennine Park side had other ideas and defended stoutly, the nearest Percy Park coming to scoring was when Ash Smith burst through the defensive line and chipped through but losing the foot race to line with the defender dotting the ball down for the goal line drop out.

Both sides were down to 14 players when Michael Langlands and the Upper Eden number 18 were sent to the side lines to cool down after an altercation saw them nose to nose in front of the referee.

With 3 minutes to go, Park finally breached the Upper Eden line with a try by fly half Fergus Simpson in the left hand corner. Ash Smith was unable to convert and the game came to a conclusion shortly afterwards with Park the victors 3-32

On the adjoining pitch Park Lions took on the Upper Eden Boars, with the home side coming out winners  60 -30 in an entertaining high scoring encounter.

Next week Percy Park take on second placed Morpeth with the game being sponsored by Past Presidents, Life Members and Ground Committee.

Saturday 16 September 2023

Percy Park 31 Keswick 12

(HT: 17-12)

Regional Two North

On Saturday, Percy Park hosted Keswick RUFC in game three of the new season with the club sitting proudly on top of Regional 2 North following wins over Northern and newly promoted Cockermouth. Keswick, in contrast, have not had the best of starts, suffering defeats at West Hartlepool and, last weekend, at home to Durham City. However, despite differing starts to the season, Park were still expecting a tough game and so it proved. Although not being quite at their fluent best, a bonus point win over our Cumbrian visitors meant mission accomplished in what was an entertaining encounter.

Park were disrupted by late withdrawals, with Andy Dunn coming into the back row, Aaron Smith moving to hooker and Adam Hay back in the first team squad on the replacements bench. The backline showed one change, Jamie Wrigley returning at full back after missing the trip to Cockermouth last week. The only other change was in the weather; a scorching 26 degrees last weekend, a chilly, damp 13 degrees here on Saturday. 

Keswick kicked off playing with the slight breeze to their backs. In the opening exchanges, it was Keswick who started the stronger, their pack showing aggression and when the opportunity arose, putting the ball through the hands into the wide open spaces but without offering any points scoring threat. When Park did secure ball in those opening 10 minutes, they showed their attacking intent, particularly through Wrigley, captain Howard Stock and wing Ross Young but both sides gave up possession all too easily, stalling momentum. An enforced injury break then seemed to galvanise the home side and on 14 minutes they made the breakthrough. A scrum, after a Keswick knock on just outside of the visitors 22, offered the platform with Stock coming in off of his wing to carve open the Keswick defence. When he was tackled, the Park forwards carried the ball almost to the try line but it was moved quickly left for Young to score in the left hand corner. The conversion was missed (5-0)

Keswick responded almost immediately. From the restart, the Keswick eight kept possession with both second row Mark Trow and flanker Karl Smyth carrying well and wing Ryan Weir probing the Park defence. Keswick gained a penalty in the Park 22 after a Park high tackle and with advantage being played by referee Ben Glover, Weir with a jinking run breached the Park defence and from the ensuing ruck, Smyth was on hand to scamper over wide on the right on 19 minutes  (5-5). The try was converted by outside half Stephen Holloway (5-7).

After the restart, the home side began to dominate possession but they lacked accuracy with the ball being knocked on, passes going astray and players being penalised. Second row Chris Reekie and prop Tristan Grant were carrying strongly and centre Ash Smith had one barnstorming run but every Park endeavour seemed to break down and it was Keswick who scored next with a blistering try from deep on 27 minutes. From a scrum just outside the Keswick 22, the ball was fed to centre George Holme who crashed through several attempted tackles to power through the Park defence and a slick pass to wing Danny Price outside him saw Price accelerate to the line to score an excellent try wide out on the right. The try was unconverted (5-12).

Park needed to eliminate the mistakes which had hampered their efforts thus far and this they managed to do in the remaining 13 minutes of the half with two tries before the break to turn the game on its head. From the restart, Park secured possession and from a Keswick high tackle in midfied Park were able to kick to the right hand corner. From the 5 metre line out, the ball was moved quickly left but as the move broke down on the left wing the ball came out to the very alert Ash Smith whose accurate cross kick was expertly gathered by back row Leo Caulfied, contesting the catch with Keswick wing Weir, who scored the try which was converted by Smith on 31 minutes (12-12). 

Percy Park were attempting to play an expansive game but it was the forwards who struck the final blow of the first half. Another Keswick infringement in midfield (high tackle) resulted in an identical kick to the right hand corner but on this occasion a textbook catch and drive from the Park eight had Keswick in trouble and Andy Dunn was able to touch down on 39 minutes. The try was unconverted by Ash Smith (17-12).

HT: Percy Park 17 Keswick 12

Park kicked off the second half and for the opening 10 minutes, the Keswick pack applied pressure with (before injury) second row Trow, No 8 Stephen Moss and scrum half Jack Thompson working hard. What possession Park gained came to nothing with infringements hampering momentum. However, defensively Park were equal to it and for all their early possession, Keswick did not create any scoring opportunities. After 50 minutes Park gained the put-in at a scrum on halfway after an accidental offside offence. The ball was quickly shifted right with Ross Young and Jamie Wrigley making ground. As the ball came infield, Andy Dunn and Chris Reekie made ground before outside half Fergus Simpson swerved around his opposite number to give the scoring pass to Ash Smith. The centre accelerated between two defenders before diving over for the try to the left of the posts which he converted on 50 minutes (24-12). The try bonus point secured.

As the game entered the final quarter, Park were finding it difficult to put meaningful phases together. Uncharacteristic errors and penalties awarded against them in promising positions (hands in the ruck, knocking the ball forward) gifted Keswick possession but they were not able to ever really threaten the Park try line, eventually conceding possession after being penalised at a ruck. From the resultant kick to touch, Park struck with what for me was the try of the match to put the game beyond the reach of our opponents on 73 minutes. The ball was passed in field from the lineout with Simpson eventually putting full back Wrigley into space. He powered over half way before an outside pass put wing Ross Young away along the left touchline. As Young moved in field, his inside pass to replacement centre Oli Bartles-Smith took out his opposite number, the last line of defence, for a stunning try scored under the posts. This was converted by Simpson (31-12).

As the clock ticked down, both sides could not retain possession for a sufficient amount of time to threaten the scoreboard.

FT: Percy Park 31 Keswick 12

Player/Coach Ash Smith was pleased with the bonus point win but a little disappointed with the performance, particularly the error count. However, in mitigation, he said the late changes did not help preparation and he pointed to the positives; an excellent defensive display, particularly in the second half, and the way the team came back to lead the game late in the first half after finding themselves 5-12 down on the half hour. 

Tristan Grant and Chris Reekie excelled in the forwards, Simpson and Smith look an excellent 10/12 partnership and our new players again all played well and some of the tries were straight out of the top drawer. Seventeen tries in just three games demonstrates our attacking intent and how we want to play the game. Perhaps Messers Borthwick, Sinfield et al should come up to Preston Avenue for a visit…. The bonus point win has Park with a 100% record after three games and top of Regional 2 North. Our opponents also  played very well and scored two good tries and although they have yet to win a game this season, it is early days, and they will surely pick up results in the not too distant future. We wish them well and look forward to the return fixture in Cumbria. Our thanks also go to referee Ben Glover.

Next Saturday, 23 September, both the first team and (hopefully) the Lions travel to Upper Eden. The newly promoted Cumbrian side have had an excellent start to life in Regional 2 North and only lost their unbeaten start to the season by the narrowest of margins, losing 15-14 at Durham City on Saturday. A tough challenge awaits.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Joe Thompson; 6 Andy Dunn; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Aaron Smith; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Adam Hay; Oli Bartles-Smith; Paddy Hargreaves

Regional Two North

Saturday 9 September 2023, KO 3pm

Cockermouth 10 Percy Park 47

(HT: 10-21)

Blistering Dubois sets the tone

Percy Park travelled to West Cumbria for their second league outing of the season on Saturday to take on newly promoted Cockermouth, securing a comprehensive 10-47 victory in extremely challenging conditions. They played some exhilarating rugby at times, scoring seven tries in an excellent all round performance and, as a consequence, they now sit proudly at the summit of Regional Two North, albeit with just two games played! There were several changes from last week's opening win against Northern; Toby Davison replaced the unavailable Jamie Wrigley at full back, Ash Smith moved to centre to accommodate debutant Fergus Simpson at outside half, Tristan Grant came into the front row to allow Sam Digman to move to flanker in place of the unavailable Mickey Fisher and finally, Joe Thompson made his debut in the back row in place of the injured Michael Langlands. Luke Foster also made his Park debut from the replacements bench and it must be said, all three debutants made very positive contributions.

On a stiflingly hot day, the BBC had the temperature at 26 degrees at kick-off, with very little breeze, Cockermouth kicked off in the shadow of Skiddaw and the very picturesque Northern Lakes. An immediate Park knock-on led to the first scrum within 40 seconds of the start, made worse by an immediate scrum penalty awarded to the hosts which was successfully kicked by centre Daniel Woodcock on 3 minutes, (3-0)

As the game restarted, a high tackle on debutant Fergus Simpson allowed Ash Smith to clear his lines with a fine kick into the opposition 22. With Park’s lineout adjudged not straight, Cockermouth secured quick ball from the scrum and moved quickly right and only an excellent covering tackle by wing Ross Young prevented an early Cockermouth try. The hosts were on the front foot in the early exchanges but after a promising break, started from the base of a scrum by Park No 8 James Black, was stopped illegally, Park were able to kick to within 5 metres of the try line. From the resultant line out, centre Ash Smith and stand-off Simpson combined beautifully to send the Park No 10 jinking in for the try with Smith converting. 11 minutes played. (3-7)

Cockermouth responded almost immediately, with a good forward drive stopped midway in the Park half. Quick ball saw the Cockermouth stand-off Gate spot the gap in the Park defence which he accelerated through to touch down just to the left of the posts on 14 minutes for an excellent try which centre Woodcock duly converted. (10-7).

With the first quarter of the game not yet completed it was Park’s turn to respond at once; from the restart, a Cockermouth infringement (high tackle) led quickly to an Ash Smith cross kick which was expertly gathered by left wing Ross Young who went in for the try, converted by Smith on 18 minutes. (10-14). A well deserved water break ensued.

The lead had changed hands four times in the first 20 minutes but then, galvanised by their second try, Park began to move through the gears. Excellent carries from Aaron Smith, Ross Young and Chris Reekie put pressure on the Cockermouth defence only for handling errors to halt momentum. The hosts, on the other hand, relied on their pack to get them moving forward but all too often the Park 8 were equal to the challenge. Park were searching for the next score and on 28 minutes thought that it had duly arrived only for a Howard Stock try to be ruled out, seemingly for an offside offence but the visitors were not to be denied; 5 minutes later, the Park forced a 5 metre lineout and the resultant catch and drive saw hooker Jonny Dubois score to the left of the posts. Smith converted. (10-21). As in the game last week, the Percy Park forwards began to assert their authority as the first half progressed, dealing with the large Cockermouth pack well, and this allowed the Park three-quarters good ball to work with. As the half ended, strong running from Toby Davison and Ross Young put the visitors into good positions but the half ended with no further score.

HT: Cockermouth 10, Percy Park 21

Percy Park moved further ahead within 3 minutes of the restart, a Cockermouth infringement being ruthlessly punished. The forwards drove into opposition territory, Chris Reekie to the fore, before the backs were released. It looked as if the move had broken down after a wayward pass but centre Paul Spowart somehow held onto the ball allowing fullback Davison to finish off an excellent team try to the right of the posts. Try bonus point earned with Ash Smith converting. (10-28)

The following 10 minutes saw several Park infringements allow Cockermouth some meaningful possession; a Woodcock ‘show and go’ looked promising but excellent Park defence snuffed out the danger. However, a further offence on their own 22 allowed Cockermouth the opportunity to apply pressure by kicking the resultant penalty to the corner. The lineout throw was botched and away came Jonny Dubois on the charge. He was only stopped by a high tackle, the penalty being taken quickly. The ball was moved quickly right to replacement centre Seb Reece whose inside pass sent Ash Smith in to score to the right of the posts. In an instant Park had gone almost the length of the field to score! Smith converted his own try. 52 minutes played. (10-35)

Cockermouth continued to play through their forwards but Park were able to turn over possession and scrum-half Drew Walker made several excellent clearing kicks. Replacements and injuries disrupted the momentum of both sides. For Park, Luke Foster came into the back row to make his debut and was quickly involved, tackling and carrying well. With Park very much in the ascendancy, the next try, on 68 minutes, seemed inevitable. The Percy Park back line again showed real quality and intent, slick passing from Spowart, Smith and Young putting hooker Dubois in at the right corner. A beaming Jonny shouted ‘don't forget to mention my blistering pace’ at yours truly on the touchline. The word ‘trundle’ is probably more appropriate but it cannot be denied that our former captain was there to take the scoring pass, with a brace on the day! The conversion was missed. (10-40).

It was no surprise that with the heat, the game slowed down but Park had one last hurrah, Ash Smith going over under the posts with just minutes to go. He converted his own try. (10-47)

To their immense credit, our hosts never gave up and in stoppage time a fantastic charging run from one of the props (apologies to the player, my view was temporarily blocked) nearly brought a deserved consolation try but he was hauled down just short of the Park try line and the chance was lost.

FT: Cockermouth 10, Percy Park 47

Credit must go to both sides for an excellent game of rugby played in brutally hot conditions. We even saw a dodgy hat displayed on a shaply dome.

A very quiet bus home; no stops with the players a tad tired! Again the new tackle laws were refereed well with players adapting and in the two games played thus far this season, appear to have had no negative impact on the rugby played so perhaps the pessimists were wrong after all!

Next Saturday, Park welcome Keswick to Preston Avenue, KO 3pm.

Percy Park: 15 Toby Davison; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 James Black; 7 Joe Thompson; 6 Sam Digman; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements; Marc Cook; Seb Reece; Luke Foster

With thanks to Ken 'Flying Squad' Bell for the write up and Julie Photos for the photos!!