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Superb Sutherland gives Park hope

: Hackinson; Category: 1st XV Reports 17/18; 25 March 2018; Hits: 3023

North One East

Driffield RFC 31- Percy Park RUFC 22

Superb Sutherland gives Percy Park hope

A brace of tries from ‘Man of the Match’ Kieran Sutherland ignited Percy Park’s relegation fight after almost a four week layoff due to some very inclement weather. Percy Park travelled to league front runners Driffield RFC, nestled in the low lying fertile plains of East Yorkshire, with a squad of players reduced in numbers by ‘non-availability’. Although seeming to be on the back foot before the wheels had left the Preston Avenue ground the mood in the camp was steadfast in the belief that a performance would be given and ‘no inch’ would be surrendered without a ‘fight’. And what a performance the team did give. In a feisty game that will live long in the memory as ‘Black Eye Saturday’ Percy Park secured a much need bonus point in the last minute of the game when Kieran Sutherland intercepted a defence stretching pass to run the whole length of the pitch, chased by the majority of the Driffield side, to score that vital fourth try. A try that had the travelling alikados screaming as if they were on a ‘Spanish City’ waltzer!!! . And much to the amazement of all, Kieran’s dad actually managed a smile.

With the weather fair and the pitch firm Percy Park were out of the traps ‘with fire’ and registered the first score on the two minute mark. Centre Phil Morse collected a ball in the Park ‘22’ and he set off before being tackled just outside the halfway line. A supporting Sean Williamson collected the offload to power up the field before a sweeping pass to the left saw Kieran Sutherland skip past two defenders with a delightful shimmy to score under the posts. With the try converted Park were good by seven. The game then pulsated from end to end with a few lively individual ‘contests’ across the pitch with Park showing that they hadn’t arrived at the Driffield Showground and lie down. A fact emphasised when stand in centre Michael Langlands and his opposite number had a meeting. Park had put down a ‘statement of intent’.

Clinical Burns hat trick denies Park a share of the spoils

: Hackinson; Category: 1st XV Reports 17/18; 27 February 2018; Hits: 2980

North One East

Percy Park 16-Alnwick RFC 27

Clinical Burns hat trick denies Park a share of the spoils

Kieron Sutherland breaks through the Alnwick defence

With the ‘Beast from the East’ baring down on the Preston Avenue Ground, Percy Park took on local rivals Alnwick in a battle between the two Percy Lions. With Park needing vital points in their bid for North One East survival six enforced changes to the side put the ‘black and whites’ on the back foot before a ball was kicked. With a vociferous Alnwick following, the Greensfield side were not shy in believing that they could achieve a five point haul to aid their promotion bid to the North Premier League. However what they met was a very young spirited Percy Park team who very nearly, and if it wasn’t for a try saving tackle on Park centre Phil Morse during the ‘last play of the game’, pricked that Alnwick confidence balloon.

From the kick off Alnwick played the game deep in the Park half and two poor attempts to clear their lines kept Park ‘under the cosh’. With Alnwick intent set a forward pass denied them an early score. With Park absorbing the early pressure confidence grew that they could match the ‘blue and gold side’ and as a consequence Park crept into Alnwick terrority, playing some fine ‘keep ball rugby’ that saw Alnwick transgressing at the breakdown and conceding a number of penalties. And it was from one such penalty that fly half Michael Grove was able to punish the Alnwick side and open the scoring with a fine kick from distance that sailed through the centre of the posts.

The score gave Percy Park real confidence and they started to open up and test the Alnwick defence with some quick flowing rugby. And it was in this area of the game that the supporter could see why Alnwick were pressing at the top of the league. With a back row marshalled by James Hamilton they were quick over the ball slowing down the Park attack and when the ball did go out they were quick to the break down. And it was from one such Park move that saw Park full back Kieron Sutherland scythe through the Alnwick defence to be caught from the cover that came across and behind the Alnwick line. With the tackle made Hamilton was able to rip the ball from the Park hand and set up a counter attack going from right to left that saw Alnwick wing Jonny Burn for the first try of the game.

Penrith made to work hard for their bonus point win

: Hackinson; Category: 1st XV Reports 17/18; 19 February 2018; Hits: 2744

North One East

Percy Park RFC 12 v Penrith RUFC 35

Penrith made to work hard for their bonus point win

Williamson surge

(Breaking the Penrith Defence)

Following the loss against fellow strugglers Northern the Percy Park faithful were hopeful that their team could overturn the form book and cause an upset against league pace setters Penrith. Percy Park had nothing to lose as 'on paper' this game should have returned an easy win for the Cumbrian side. With 'must win' pressure removed hope abounded that this could be the game where a league leading side, comfortable in their position, might 'fail to turn up' and end up on the wrong side of the result. And as the game kicked off that hope accelerated as Percy Park got off to a great start advancing deep into the Penrith half and recording the first score of the game.

With only 5 minutes played player-coach Lome Faatau came through on a loose ball and with pace scythed through the Penrith defence. With 'no one at home' the ball was kicked ahead and a foot race ensued. With Faatau first to the ball he made a sublime offload from the floor to the supporting Jamie Wrigley who was able to score underneath the posts. With the conversion taken. Park were ahead and in buoyant mood playing the game in the Penrith half.

Northern edge basement battle

: Scoop; Category: 1st XV Reports 17/18; 11 February 2018; Hits: 2712

NORTH 1 EAST

NORTHERN 27 – 22 PERCY PARK

Sean Williamson drives for the line On this display it looks likely that both Northern and Percy Park will be plying their trade at level 7 of the league system next season. Despite the win Northern are still rooted to the bottom of North 1 East and Park remain two places above in the final spot of the drop zone.

The expected sleet and rain did not materialise and Northern received the kick off with the lowering sun in their faces and despite a good covering of grass the pitch looked a tad heavy, unlike the crust on the excellent pre-match steak pie which was undoubtedly the highlight of the day.

Percy Park started brightly and after receiving the ball from a loose Northern kick, Josh Hedley powered through the mid field. The ball found Lome Fa’atau on the wing who passed inside to skipper Jonny Dubois in support to cross the line with only 3 minutes on the referees watch. Fly half Michael Grove, back in the side from his birthday trip to York the previous week kicked the conversion and Park were in front 7 – 0.

Northern hit back almost immediately as the visitors failed to deal with the restart kick, and skipper Alex Clark broke several tackles to score with Donal Collins equalising with the conversion.

Park who regained the lead with a try from Josh Hedley on the 9 minute mark, with Groves converting. Park looked in control with the line out functioning well and being dominant in the tight, but as with the hosts kicked away too much valuable possession.

Morpeth take advantage of yellow card

: Hackinson; Category: 1st XV Reports 17/18; 05 February 2018; Hits: 2564

North One East

Morpeth 29-Percy Park 7

Morpeth take advantage of Percy Park yellow card to seal game at Mitford Road

Percy Park’s disappointing run continued with defeat at the hands of league challenging Morpeth, making the relegation struggle all that harder as the season tumbles toward its conclusion. With nine games remaining Percy Park need to pick up points as fellow strugglers Dinnington are starting to show some form. With eight points separating mid table security from the relegation places there remains ‘all to play for’ but each game is becoming a cup final with points, however they are achieved, materialising as the ‘holy grail’.

In cold and damp conditions at the Mitford Road ground, Percy Park came ‘flying out of the blocks’ with a Lome Faatau score within the first 5 minutes. With Morpeth making a mistake in receiving the kick off, Park were able to seize an attacking ‘line out’ deep within Morpeth terrority. With ball secured Park moved inside and with a dummy move Lome Faatau ghosted through a static defence to score. With the conversion taken Park were 7 to the good.