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.

PERCY PARK 22 – 5 MORPETH

Percy Park sporting their new shirts sponsored by Benfield Motor Group, were looking to avenge the defeat earlier in the season at Mitford Road and stop the rot following successive defeats to Wheatley Hills and Durham City. With Greg Dixon and Simon Greatham unavailable Sean Williamson came into an otherwise unchanged pack, and there was a re-shuffle in the back line. Following good showings in the Lions, Thomas Turnbull came in at fly half with Marcus Rutter moving to full back. Ali Blair moved inside one place to inside centre to allow Jonny Ward his first start on the wing for the 1^st XV. Morpeth also made changes with captain Joe Forsythe moving up from lock to the front row, which surprised some as former Park player Karl Campbell, a recognised prop was on the bench.

With John Scott still injured Andy Dunn stood in as captain and promptly lost the toss, Morpeth chose ends and Park kicked off. From the start Park took the game to their Northumbrian visitors and camped in their half although Morpeth defended stoutly they did give away several penalties and after kicks by Rutter on 9, 13 and 16 minutes Park led 9 – 0.

It took the red and whites almost 20 minutes to gain any meaningful possession into Park territory but they couldn’t break down the impenetrable Park defence. Morpeth are renowned for their strong scrummage, but after the first set piece were left under no illusion that they were in for a battle royal. The Park pack demolished the Morpeth scrum giving them no attacking options and number 8 Rory Morrison a had his work cut out all afternoon securing ball for his scrum half.

DURHAM CITY 16 – 9 PERCY PARK

The relatively short journey to Durham City began in bright winter sunshine in North Tyneside and this followed down the A1(M) until a cloud appeared over Hollow Drift and the gloom spread into the game which was dour affair which City won. It is difficult to recall when there was last a decent spectacle between the two clubs particularly at Durham City’s home. Although Park started brightly, they were always going to be facing an uphill battle after the ridiculous sending off involving Ali Blair.

Rutter kicked two early penalties, before Paul Armstrong hit back with a penalty for the home side from their first real attack into Park territory after 20 minutes. Rutter cancelled out the City penalty two minutes later as Park led 9 – 6. Despite the superior size of the City pack, Park had the upper hand in the scrums and the line outs were pretty even.

PERCY PARK 19 -20 WHEATLEY HILLS

Park were leading up to the 73^rd minute when a long range kick from Jonathan Woodcock sealed the win for the visitors by a single point. On the balance of play, Wheatley deserved their win which included three tries to Park’s one, but the result could have been so different if on one of the three occasions Park crossed the line, a try had been awarded instead of a 5 metre scrum.

Marcus Rutter returned to the Park team having recovered from flu, and started at fly half with Phil Morse having broken his hand following late night revelry post the Cleckheaton win last week. The visitors were without influential powerhouse Gaz Burns who is currently out with a knee injury.