SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH

WATERLOO 23 – 12 PERCY PARK 

For the second successive week, Park were sunk after the 80^th minute, after having more of the play and possession, and for the second week Park came away with no points to show for all their efforts. The game hinged on a handful of major events which conspired against the visitors and saw the home side pull off a Houdini style escape from the relegation zone to ensure National league rugby again next season.

The sizeable crowd saw Loo take a 10-point lead after Park had started the brighter. A penalty on 13 minutes by Liam Reeve was increased with a converted try ten minutes later. With Waterloo on the attack, fly half Reeve put in a cross-field kick which appeared to be going dead but bounced inside the dead-ball area and came back infield to the waiting hands of left wing Luke Blease who dabbed the ball down for the easiest try he’ll score this season.

Park as in the game a week earlier had more of the possession but just could make it count. The Percy Park pack had the edge in both scrum and line-out, but the Blundellsands side defence was strong and determined, and it took a moment of individual skill for George Lewis to unpick the defensive lock with quick feet, stepping through the slightest of gaps and side stepping the Loo full back to score under the posts on 32 minutes. Toby Davison kicked the extras and Park were on the scoreboard and back in the game and the half ended 10 – 7 to the home side.

SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH

PERCY PARK 14 – 23 STOCKPORT

Park were dealt a last minute body blow by table topping Stockport with an 82^nd minute converted try which denied them even a single bonus point, which on the balance of play would have been justly deserved. The Cheshire side travelled to Preston Avenue with high expectations and a full strength squad, looking for a bonus point win to keep them above Huddersfield who are currently in the play off spot but snapping at their heels with 2 games in hand.

Percy Park’s injury woes were compounded on Wednesday evening when both skipper Michael Langlands and fly half Todd Harrison were injured during training, but Guy Pike returned to the team, as did veterans James Ponton and Thomas Turnbull who on the day both played out of their skins, giving their all for the team.

An early Josh Longmore penalty gave his side a 3- 0 lead, as Stockport had the early momentum, and his tally was doubled on 9 minutes. A break down the right wing by former Park Colt Joe Cantwell looked to be a certain try but Oscar Pritchard had other ideas and came of the opposite wing, and with a crunching tackle piled the Stockport wing into touch on the 5 metre line

It was Pritchard who again raised the Park spirits with a superb try a few minutes later. Port fullback Mark Edwards cleared his lines, but the ball was run back by Toby Davison finding left wing Olly Walker, who put Oscar Pritchard into space. The young Park wing burst through a couple of tackles and raced for the line stepping inside the covering defender to score under the posts. Toby Davison converted to take Park into the lead 7 – 6. 

NATIONAL 3 NORTH

PERCY PARK 32 – 25 ROSSENDALE

Percy Park moved out of the relegation zone with a bonus point win over Rossendale lifting themselves 2 places above Waterloo and leapfrogging Billingham. Park opened with the best possible start as Jack Davidson powered over for a try inside 3 minutes after a superb break down the right hand flank by Michael Langlands. The Park skipper drew the covering defender and found blindside Davidson on his shoulder to take the pass and make the 22 metres to the line taking the last defender out as he did so. The Todd Harrison conversion gave Park a 7 – 0 lead.

As Park were pressing for a possible second try Rossendale's right wing Danny Harrison picked up a telegraphed pass and snapped up the interception to run 70 metres to bring his side level on 9 minutes after fullback Steven Nutt had slotted the conversion. This score took the wind from Park's sails temporarily and problems were compounded when fullback Toby Davison was sin binned for a technical infringement. Nutt kicked his side ahead from the resulting penalty.

SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH

PERCY PARK 15 – 15 MORLEY

With Percy Park lying in the third relegation spot it was essential that points be taken from this game and in the end both Park and Morley gained 2 points each for a well fought out draw. Park kicked off with a gale force wind at their backs, although the elements proved to be anything but an advantage making handling difficult with the wind and kicking very much a lottery.

The home side opened their account after a bright start when Todd Harrison kicked a penalty in front of the posts on 10 minutes. Park had shown their early intention of going for a bonus point win when a scrummage was taken instead of a kickable penalty as the black and white pack showed their dominance over their maroon clad counterparts.

Constant early pressure gave Park just reward when skipper Michael Langlands powered over for a try on 13 minutes although the score remained unconverted.