Northumberland Junior Cup Final

Percy Park Pumas 27 – 5 Novos 2’s 

A 25 minute first-half blitz was enough to see off a spirited Novos 2nd team as Percy Park Pumas retained the Northumberland 3^rd XV Junior Cup. 

For the second year in succession, Park were pitted against opposition from a higher league and Novos were first to show their hand when their full-back, who was a handful all afternoon, broke through the midfield and put his winger into space. A last ditch tackle from the covering Stephen Baskerville saved a certain try. 

Park regained composure and field position, drawing first blood when Baskerville slotted a penalty to make it 3-0.

This was the start of Park's purple patch and moments later, a break from a maul on Novos' left saw a popped pass to the supporting Josh Lake, who used his strength to hold off several would-be tacklers and reach over the line. Baskerville made the conversion from the right touchline and Park were 10-0 up.

Medicals III 0 - 26 Percy Park Pumas

The Pumas were due to play Gateshead III at home, but due to a mix up, ended up without a game until Medicals III stepped in, looking for opposition as their league fixture against Ponteland had been cancelled. Meds III play in the Coquet League, so a mixed Pumas and Marauders side travelled to Heaton.

The 26-0 scoreline does not truly reflect the total dominance Park had in this game. Some old fashioned refereeing combined with a large number of unforced errors prevented Park from strolling to a comfortable half century score.

Exceptionally good kicking to touch from Stephen Baskerville meant any misdemeanour from Medicals was punished with interest.

It took 15 minutes for Park's dominance to shine and it took a Stephen Baskerville kick to touch to start the move which ended with George Carr breaking through to touch down with Baskerville  converting. 7-0

The rest of the first half was made up of Park pressure on the Medical line without any reward .

The second half started off much the same but the pressure never paid off and it took the yellow card for Andrew Steiner to galvanise the team to pick up their game.

Strong running with good hands resulted in Matthew Dale breaking through a number of tackles to score. Baskerville converted.14-0

Constant pressure in defence gave Michael Conn an interception opportunity deciding not to run the full pitch he offloaded to Kieran Sutherland who went in under the posts. Baskerville coverted 21-0.

The final score came from Park losing the line out only for Andy Preston stealing the ball back and going on a storming run, offloading to the backs who with slick handling put Jon Carlisle through to score. Unfortunately the conversion was not successful. 26-0.

Overall a very good performance.

The optimism after the Sheffield and Rochdale wins began to evaporate, as the Ist XV was rearranged, then rearranged some more following unavailabilities, illness and injuries. All in all there were 5 changes in the pack and 4 in the backs, but all credit to the lads who stepped in to breach the gaps.

George Albert Duhrin

Funeral Arrangements

Albis’s funeral will be held on Thursday 25th May 2023 at 9:45am,Tynemouth Crematorium, Walton Avenue, North Shields NE299NJ. Family flowers only. All are welcome to attend.

After the funeral the family would like to extend an invitation to gather at Percy Park RFC, Preston Avenue, North Shields NE30 2BE to celebrate his life. A buffet will be provided.

There will be a collection at Percy Park RFC where donations can be made to Percy Park and Whitley Bay Rockcliff (WBR) junior rugby charities. Rugby and rugby development was very close to Albi’s heart.

If you are attending as part of the extended rugby family a request has been made that you attend dressed with Club tie and or Club blazers or Northumberland Rugby Union tie and or blazer.