Another fine day for rugby . The Lions travelled to McCracken Park in strong numbers , 24 in total . However Coach Jobson and 'Doc' Rowland were left unassisted by the hungover Lake , who having slept in decided to continue his binge from the balcony.

It was the home side who kicked off . A long kick into the Park 22 was taken by the gigantic figure of Nairn , who proceeded to rumble forward . From the ruck , Gilmore fed No8 Warren who offloaded to Phillips in the tackle . Quick ball and a dummy run by Jobson created space for Danilli . The former Argentinian U20 set off up the touch line , as he crossed halfway he kicked ahead for speedster Grove to chase . The fly half showed all his pace to win the foot race and touch down from his own hack on in the left corner . The only thing missing was an accompanying commentary from Cliff Morgan , what a score what a start !! 7-0.

Park scored again soon after . Henessey pinching line out ball , tapped down to hooker Pollock . Under pressure from his opposite number , Pollock reverse passed 'Fiji-style' to Gilmore , on to Jobson who carried straight and hard . Good ball presentation and the backs attacked to the right wing . Canadian Lenahan then sliced through the middle , supported by Danilli . Once again , quick ball and Phillips rumbled around the corner , passing to Sim who scored in the left corner . Grove nudged over the conversion . 14-0 , Park were on fire.

The Lions opened their season at home to Novos . Despite early morning rain , the game kicked off in perfect conditions , with Park attacking down the slope .

The Lions started brightly and certainly dominated the early exchanges . The pace of the game was frenetic but to be fair , both sides were trying their best to entertain the large crowd that had gathered at Preston Avenue . Despite their dominance , Park were unable to cross the Novos line and it was the visitors who opened the scoring on their first venture into Park territory . Great support play by backs and forwards caught out Park who were trying to catch their breath after the fast start . 0-7 . 

Back came Park . Referee Manley awarded a penalty which was dispatched into the stewards front garden by Harrison . From the resulting line out , the Park forwards drove to the line , followed by a strong snap by Nairn producing good ball for Gilmour to set the backs away for winger Simm to score in the corner . 7-7 . 

Read more …Percy Park Lions 17 - 24 Novos II

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If there was ever a game that defined what rugby was all about it was this one.
With both sides trying to resurrect their respective 3rd teams it was a very eclectic mix of players that took to the pitch on what turned out to be 80 minutes of entertainment.

With both sides struggling for numbers the gaps were filled by students from Northumbria Uni.

True it maybe couldn’t be put into the champagne rugby bracket but what it may have lacked in skill it made up for with hard work and enthusiasm.

Park saw the return of a number of players who were pulling their boots on for the first time in 3 years since playing in the juniors alongside some older ”only slightly” players.

Despite this being the first time that they had played together there was spells where the quality of rugby was top drawer.

Six of Percy Park's Under 18's represented their County against Cumbria at Aspatria last weekend.

They were Dan Gallon, Zak Barclay, George Stoddart, Joe Oldham, Ross Young and Aaron Horvath.