GATESHEAD 5 – 26 PERCY PARK

Despite their forward dominance, Percy Park never really got into gear against second bottom side Gateshead. On a cold day and on a heavy pitch, Park needed to put their woeful performance against Old Crocs behind them and started well enough with 2 penalties from Simon Greatham who was back in the 1^st XV at centre and took over kicking duties from Marcus Rutter who was on the injury list.

Park were pleased to see skipper John Scott back in the 1^st XV after a prolonged spell out of the side due to injury, and David Griffiths resumed the full back position which in previous seasons had been his regular slot.The visitors had most of the early pressure and were rewarded with a penalty on 5 minutes, which was made all the easier by an extra 10 metres given for back chat to the referee. Minutes later one of the Gateshead locks was shown yellow for some injudicious words to the match official.

The second Greatham penalty on 15 minutes, kept Park noses in front, although the home side had a penalty chance which fly half Jack Dove pulled left of the posts. With Park on the attack play was halted with a high tackle and flanker Greg Dixon was shown a yellow for taking the law into his own hands on 27 minutes.

Old Crossleyans 21 – 15 Percy Park

Any hopes Park harboured of promotion were dashed in a slow motion performance against Halifax side Old Crossleyans on Saturday. Crocs had won only three games so far this season and were on the wrong end of a 45 – 18 drubbing earlier in the season at Preston Avenue. Park’s spirits were high having started the New Year so well with a comprehensive win against fellow Yorkshiremen Old Brods the previous week.

The 1^st and 2^nd XV’s both playing Old Crossleyans, left North Shields not knowing if the games would be played or not, as overnight sub zero temperatures had frozen the pitches, but the signs were good for a rise in temperature as the sun came out and the 1^st XV game went ahead - just, although the Lions game did not.

Park fielded much the same team as last week with Tony Dunn coming into the back row for Sean Williamson, Crocs welcomed the return of hooker Richard Wheale and number 8 Manny Riaz, to bolster their side.

PERCY PARK 48 – 10 OLD BRODLEIANS

Percy Park started the New Year with a bang and a comprehensive 48 – 10 win over Halifax side Old Brodleians, reversing the away defeat earlier in the season. Park brought back Sean Williamson into the back row for Hamish Lockwood who had returned to New Zealand for the holidays, and Marcus Rutter came back into the side at full back.

Brods kicked off with a strong wind behind them and immediately put the home side under pressure, but it was Park who had the first chance to open the scoring on 4 minutes with a Marcus Rutter penalty chance which was wide of the mark. Danny Woods then kicked a penalty 3 minutes later for the visitors to take an early lead. Park had trained well over the festive period and the forward pack looked fitter and leaner than the Brods counterparts. Park dominated the early line outs and although it was 15 minutes before the first scrum, signs were not good for the visitors as they were driven back on their own ball with their scrummage disintegrating under the pressure.

PERCY PARK 73 – 3 WHITLEY BAY ROCKCLIFF

The annual Boxing Day encounter between Percy Park and Rockcliff is the oldest remaining fixture in both club’s itinerary, and this year the game was held at Preston Avenue in near perfect conditions for September let alone December 26^th. The previous two games in 2010 and 2009 had been thwarted by frost and snow. Park made a few last minute changes with the unavailability of Marcus Rutter and Simon Greatham, but otherwise were able to field a full strength 1^st XV.

Rockcliff kicked off with the wind behind them and were awarded a penalty within the first minute, but Josh Donnelly’s kick at goal was off target. The visitors had some decent early possession, but as the game wore on, Park’s dominance at the set piece starved them of any meaningful ball and the points began to rack up for the home side.

Park’s first score came on the seven minute mark from lively 19 year old open side Jack Davidson and the conversion by Ash Smith opened a 7 – 0 lead. Rockcliff came back five minutes later with a Donnelly penalty, and although the home side had more of the possession the Rockcliff defence held firm until on 27 minutes Andy Dunn crossed the whitewash finishing off a well executed catch and drive from a line out.

When the visitors were penalised for pulling down a maul, the ball was kicked to the corner and another catch and drive resulted in Park’s third try of the game this time from Greg Dixon. The conversion was off target but Park now led 17 -3. Even at this early stage Park’s superior organisation and fitness was beginning to show as Greg Dixon popped up on the left wing to finish off a good move started by an Ali Blair break in midfield. Sadly Ash Smith had left his kicking boots at home.