PERCY PARK 41 – 28 WHEATLEY HILLS

An emphatic first half performance laid the ground work for a bonus point win that takes Park back to the top of North One East, leapfrogging West Hartlepool who ground out an away win at Pontefract. Park move ahead due to their superior points difference as for the second week in a row West, although winning couldn’t earn the vital extra bonus point.

Conditions were just about perfect for rugby with firm ground under foot and no wind, and both sides wanted to play rugby and royally entertained the crowd with a 10 try game that belied Hills reputation for just being a physical forward orientated side. It was the visitors who controlled the first 5 minutes of the game, but Park scored through Craig Fidler on six minutes with their first real spell of possession.

A loose ball was snapped up by Park and Craig Firth took the ball deep into the visitors half, a switch with wing Howard Stock kept play going, and as the ball was spun out wide from a ruck, Park had numbers lining up on the left of the field, but it was lock Craig Fidler who took the ball over the line unopposed to score the opening try, which Ash Smith converted.

Hills had the chance to open their account when Park strayed offside, but Guy Townsley was off target with the penalty kick. The visitors did however level the scores on 18 minutes when the ball was driven through the middle of a ruck by Byron Elliot and the Wheatley Hills rangy open side off loaded to Mikey Hayward to score with Townsley kicking the conversion.

Two minutes later Park re-took the lead again from a loose ball which involved Firth and Stock before the ball found full back Ash Smith who danced through a gap then powered his way through two defenders to score under the posts. His conversion made it 14 – 7. Ash Smith then stretched the lead for Park with a penalty three minutes later.

PERCY PARK 24 – 17 DURHAM CITY

A late City try, although fully deserved, made it look as though this was a close game, but in reality, Park had the upper hand from the off, and it was only Durham’s dogged determination that kept the home side from a comprehensive win.

Nevertheless, a bonus point win moves Park a point closer to West Hartlepool who sneaked an injury time try through Gareth Foreman, to deny Wheatley Hills a win in what appears to have been an ill tempered game through judging by the reports on the West web site.

Although the rain overnight, meant the pitch was bound to cut up a little, the surface was sound enough for running rugby with all 7 tries in the game coming through the three quarters. The kick off was delay by 10 minutes as City had some players and officials stuck at the new Tyne Tunnel crossing.

West Hartlepool 10 – 0 Percy Park

Percy Park suffered their first league defeat since November 2010 at the hands of second placed West Hartlepool, and so relinquished top spot. The signs were not good when sea gulls had to be chased off the West 1^st XV pitch and the rain which had fallen persistently over night never relented until half way through the first half. It was a shame for the ample crowd that conditions were so heavy under foot, as both sides are known for the fluid fast paced style of play, which was just impossible given the circumstances.

The cold and wet conditions meant the game was a dour forward orientated battle with conditions resembling the Somme towards the end of the game, and West just edged it with a try and conversion in the 75 minute. In an error strewn game, Park were awarded only 4 penalties, none in kickable positions.

Read more …West win at a muddy Brinkburn

CARLISLE 10 – 20 PERCY PARK

Due to the adverse winter weather, and game cancellations, this was the first time the two sides had faced each other this season. Last season honours were even with both sides winning at home, and although Park topped the table going into this game, they were under no illusions as to how tough this game was likely to be, and so it proved.

The torrential rain of the previous few days meant heavy conditions were the order of the day, although the sun did make an appearance before kick off, and the climate for supporters was not too bad for the time of year.

Percy Park kicked off with the sun low in their eyes and a slight breeze in their faces. Although by this league’s travelling commitments the journey to Warwick Road was not a long one, Park started sluggishly with the coach trip not out of their legs. The early possession was all in the home side favour, and they should have scored inside the first few minutes but for a miss directed pass in the midfield and Park were able to clear their lines.  Carlisle did score however a couple of minutes later when prop Martin Kalinowski went over in the corner after some good handling in the back line after a quick tap penalty. The visiting supporters felt the burly front rower had put a foot in touch, but as it was a Park touch judge on that side of the pitch could have no complaints when the flag stayed down. Fly half Grant Connon kicked the difficult conversion to take his side into an early 7 – 0 lead.