Bonus point win moves Park up the table
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- Category: 1st XV Reports 11/12
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PERCY PARK 43 – 14 GATESHEAD
Park continued from where they had left off last week, and apart from a wobble for 10 minutes before the end of the first half can be reasonably pleased with the performance. Gateshead came into the game with only one league win so far this season, and were soon down 5 – 0 from an Ashley Smith try five minutes into the game. Park had turned a Gateshead scrum through 90 degrees and had won a put in, from which Sean Williamson picked up, passed to Ollie Gilmore who then set the back line loose to Phil Morse and Smith then surged through a gap in the defence on the right side of the pitch. Simon Greatham hit the post with his conversion and the ball stayed out.
Most of the early possession was Park’s and when Gateshead were penalised in their own half for being offside, the ball was kicked to touch for the line out rather than taking the shot at goal. The decision proved correct as Andy Dunn found his man in the line and the maul was set then driven 20 yards to the line, with Greg Dixon touching down. For the second time the post came between Simon Greatham’s conversion and the 2 extra points.
Gateshead found it hard to break Park’s grip on the game, and the home side went further ahead on 28 minutes. Ash Smith found himself in space down the right and looked to switch with wing Howard Stock, but was stopped short of the line. The ball was quickly recycled however to Craig Fidler who offloaded to Joe Wafer to score and with the conversion Park now led 17 – 0.
Minutes later Park could have had the bonus point in the bag before half time when a great effort by No 8 Sean Williamson was denied by referee Mick Harris who judged that he had made a double movement in an attempt to get the ball over the line.
At this stage the Park players looked relaxed but a little complacency set in which allowed Gateshead to strike back. Skipper David Tate broke a couple of tackles down the blind side before the burly full back raced over the line to score a try which fly half Johnny Foster converted.
For the second week in a row, Percy Park took on opposition from Halifax, this time at home to Old Crossleyans who won their first game of the season last week against Gateshead. Park were more than a little disappointed at their second half performance away to Old Brodleians last week and had a chance to make amends. The weather, perfect for June or July, was a bit hot for the participants on the field, but fantastic for the supporters who watched in shirt sleeve order.