UBS Candy League 1

Percy Park 46 – 10 Morpeth Reivers

With the 1^st XV on their travels to Burnage, the Lions took to the main stage at Preston Avenue, hoping for a return to form following their disappointing defeat at West Hartlepool last week. There were again a number of changes to the side with a couple of late cry off’s and players moving up to the 1^st XV which meant that a couple of players from the Pumas had to step up, and step up they did especially in the case of Ian Bradley, who had a storming game at number 8 scoring 4 of the side’s 7 tries in a bonus point win that takes the Lions up to third in the league.

 Gone was the summer sun, and in its place a biting north-easterly wind that kept supporter numbers down, or they chose to support from the warmth of the club house. Park showed their intentions early on with pressure on Morpeth in their 22, which led to a clearance kick being charged down by Michael Grove, who chased up and scored a try on 2 minutes, kicking the conversion to put the side 7 – 0 up.

SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH

PERCY PARK 45 – 15 BRADFORD & BINGLEY

Another cracking day for rugby saw Percy Park avenge the home and away defeats to Bradford and Bingley last season. In the end this was a comprehensive bonus point win which takes Park up to 4^th place in the league, although few could have guessed the outcome of the game when Bradford prop Ryan Wederell went over for a try with less than a minute played.

 Park came back with a penalty from Simon Greetham before the centre had to leave the field with a dead-leg which saw Stevie Irving come on at scrum half with George Lewis moving to stand off to allow Phil Morse to occupy the centre spot with Ali Blair.

 Percy Park had to make several changes from last week’s team, with both centres Guy Pike and Alex Tilley being forced on the sidelines with injury. With Alan Blakey unavailable Marc Cook came back into the side after recovering from his injury, and a last minute change saw lock Josh Hedley left out of the side as he had been selected for the Falcons Development XV playing on Monday evening.

SSE NATIONAL 3 NORTH

BILLINGHAM 20 – 32 PERCY PARK

Skipper Michael Langlands secured a bonus point win with Park’s fourth try of the game to win this Tyne Tees derby at Greenwood Road Billingham. Both teams had to make late changes to the sides shown in the match day program with Sean Williamson coming into the side for James Ponton, who sustained an injury during midweek training. Percy Park stayed mainly with the side that had beaten Beverley the previous week, with the exception of Stu Cannon and Marc Cook who were both ruled out with injury. Alan Blakey returned at tight-head prop and Michael Langlands moved to openside.

 The game kicked off in perfect conditions if not a bit warm for the players, and Park kicked off down the slope with the sun in their eyes. After only a couple of minutes had elapsed Stu Findlay had to leave the field after tackling his opposite number into touch, and Park brought on scrum half Jimmy Baldwin to the left wing.

PERCY PARK 20 – 17 BEVERLEY

A 75^th minute penalty by Toby Davison secured Park’s first win of the season in a close encounter against a determined Beverley side. Percy Park went into a 14 point lead half way through the first period when 2 converted tries in quick succession put the visitors on the back foot.

 18 year old blind side flanker Liam Scott scored his debut try after Park were awarded a penalty close to the Beverley line. A quick tap by number 8 James Ponton maintained momentum and although he was stopped short the recycled ball found Liam who crashed over for the try which was converted by Toby Davison. Park’s back row played well throughout the game with openside Stu Cannon being awarded man of the match.

 From the re-start Beverley kicked deep and Park cleared to touch stealing the resulting line out ball which was hoofed deep into the visitors 22. Beverley ever adventurous in attack chose to run the ball out of defence, but good chasing up by Guy Pike stopped any progress and he was on hand to pick up the ball which spilled loose and darted in 20 metres for the score. Toby Davison kicked the conversion for 14 – 0.