North 1 East

Dinnington 19 - 28 Percy Park

Following their resounding Northumberland Senior Cup Victory over Berwick Percy Park travelled to Lodge Lane the home of Dinnington RFC for the first North One East league game of the season in high spirits and that feel good factor was transferred onto the pitch as they defeated a robust Dinnington side by 28 points to 19.

Park started the brighter of the two sides taking advantage of the notorious Lodge Lane slope on a warm afternoon that had the Percy Park support stripping off to showcase their new Northumbrian Tartan waistcoats. An attire that brought many an admiring glance as the day progressed. The first score came after 5 minutes from Vice Captain Phil Morse as Park having absorbed the first Dinnington attack broke away in their own 22 and through a series of quick passes,offloads and a clever kick to the corner saw Morse touchdown with fly half Michael Grove converting.

Northumberland Senior Cup Quarter-Final

Percy Park 54 - 5 Berwick

On Saturday 19^th August Percy Park kicked off their first game of the season with a dash of flair and sparkle as they dispatched a plucky young side from Berwick 54-5 in the first round of the Northumberland County Senior Cup.

Saturdays Match Day was a bit like the first day of a term at School with the Preston Avenue faithful reacquainting themselves with fellow supporters after the summer lay off. A much slimmed down version of the Fiddler was seen with ‘Top Talent’ gracing 

the side-lines and we even had an appearance from the ‘Walker twins’ who have finally managed to emerge bronzed from various beaches across the Mediterranean and not to forget ‘Scotty from the Opposition’ who also popped down for a look. As with all first days at school attention was drawn to the new headmaster who decided to attend attired in ‘pink shorts’ and a polo top much to the derision of players and supporters alike. And so the afternoon was set and with eager expectation Percy Park led by Captain Dubois got the game underway kicking to a Berwick side with a strong breeze at their backs and the partisan encouragement of the famous three stood at West Dene Drive end of the ground.

And there follows what can only described as the Michael Grove show. Throughout the game Michael demonstrated his maturing ability to dictate a game at Fly Half despite the attention of the Berwick pack who seemed determined to drop him on his head at any given opportunity. Michael was ably supported by Andy McGrath, Charlie Greswold, Sean Nairn, Niall Combe and Ross Young who all made their 1^st XV debuts on the day.

Percy Park 35 – Novos 12

In the final of the 2nd Team Plate Park eventually used their power and ball retention skills to overcome a dangerous Novos 2xv 7 tries to 2.

Pre-match craic…In the true spirit of the Lions a couple of late cry offs meant selection was left until 30 minutes before kick-off, resulting in a starting XV with little respect for traditional roles.

Mix and match pack: tight head at loose head, loose head at hooker, a tight head who last propped for the colts 12 month ago, a loose head at blindside and a lock who later claimed to be a winger; not much more sense in the backs with a 9 returning to Park colours after a 16 month absence due to injury a 12 at 10, a 10 at 15, a 15 at 14 and two centres bigger than the pack…

With wet conditions and a greasy ball Park’s strategy was simple retain possession, kick to the corners when necessary, dominate the tackle and avoid giving penalties away. This advice was thrown out of the window at the kick-off. Park received, spun the ball wide, kicked aimlessly, missed the tackle, and gave away a penalty. From the infringement Novos went to the corner and scored a well worked try from a driving Maul 0-5.

This woke Park up and the wise heads coupled with 8 of last year’s colts took a strangle hold on the game. Two early opportunities were “fluffed” Park tamely losing their lineout on the opposition 5m line, then missing touch with a penalty and conceding a 22 drop out. However, with the Pack dominant in the loose and punching holes close to the breakdown, George and Rikki dominating at 9 and 10 and the two Liam’s causing real problems with their physical approach in the centres Novos were constantly on the back foot. Pressure told when a well-executed miss-move saw Liam attract 3 defenders and Ben A take a great line from 15 to score out wide 5-5.

Candy Cup

Northern Wanderers 0 - 60 Percy Park Lions

Pre Match Craic

Skipper Jake with the 1xv Mark retaining the captaincy Shaun, Ross and Dan Ward all return to form a new front row Josh Lake returning from injury and Josh Hedley from his adventures Tom making a welcome appearance after joining from Blaydon Kyle Sutherland playing his first game at 9 Riki and Charlie forming a new centre partnership Colt Harry making his second appearance the first being in the previous Northern game Colt Andrew at 10 Eddie, Leo and Beans also returning to the Lions.

In all a much changed side from the last outing against Blaydon and thankfully a much changed attitude. From receipt of the kick off Park took the game to Northern, the pressure resulted in a penalty kick to touch and from the resultant line-out, which was expertly driven over, the first points of the game. Sadly amongst all the early excitement Park lost Josh Lake with a shoulder injury meaning an early introduction for the destructive Eddie Saint who weighed in with 2 tries.