Pre-Season Friendly

Percy Park 19-Old Brodlieans 35

'Minutes in the Legs'

In this pre-season game Percy Park failed to ignite a performance that would have the Percy Park faithful licking their lips in anticipation of the forthcoming Northumberland Cup game against Northern this coming Tuesday night. With Old Brodlieans running straight and powerful lines a young Park side had difficulty (at times) containing 'Brods' and as a consequence the result was (probably) a fair reflection of this encounter. However instead of reflecting on the 'negatives' (let's leave the players and Coach Patten to 'iron out' those issues) lets concentrate on the positives of this game.
As mentioned Park fielded a very young side, with a number of last year's Colts getting a run out. And they performed well. We will have strength in depth this year and that can only benefit the First XV as the season progresses. Young Andrew Walker again impressed at fly half and one audacious cross kick resulted in a fine and well taken try for centre Seb Rees.
Our 'pack' out scrummaged a lively and heavy Brodlieans eight. That bodes well, as last year we didn't quite achieve dominance in that area. Returning prop Aaron Smith certainly played well. With more game time in his legs we will end up with healthy competition for a front row berth. Something we really haven't had since the 'retirement' of George Purdy.
A good performance from new recruit and 'scrum half' Deacon had the 'black and white' support nodding their heads in acknowledgement that we will also have healthy competition for the 'number 9' shirt. And that's where the real positives are. Park were missing a good number of players and when they return we will end up with 'competition' for first team places. Competition that can be argued wasn't there last year and that sports fans gives us all hope for the coming season.Leaving the last positive to last. Lome Fa'atau watched the game and is promising a run out this season. Lets hope so.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

 Percy Park 17 – South Shields Westoe 22

A lively squad run out yet old frailties are there to be worked on

Well Sports Fans welcome to the new 2018 to 19 rugby season. Following tradition Percy Park played their first ‘warm up’ game against our cousins ‘across the water’ resident at South Shields Westoe RFC.

The game was split into quarters that allowed new coach Lawrence Patton ‘a look’ at his squad of players before the season really kicks off in anger. In a lively contest, which on occasion nearly boiled over, saw a few players stick their head above the parapet with performances that caught the eye. Dan Ward at prop and Andrew Walker at fly half certainly did well. Hopefully we will see more of them as the season progresses.

Although the score was largely irrelevant the Westoe centre certainly ramped up the heat with some late hits which went unpunished .There was a lot going on off the ball and unfortunately Percy Park were the side that picked up the yellow cards. That may or may not be a reason for our poor ball retention in this contest yet Indiscipline and losing possession in the contact did cost the ‘Black and Whites’ points last year and we all know how that panned out. Therefore it’s probably best that our new coach witnesses at first hand two areas that he will need to improve on if we are to challenge the top of North One East this coming season.

Next up is a home friendly with Old Brodlians…..’Come on Park!!’

Candy League Division 1

Tynedale Raiders 59 v Percy Park Lions 17

‘There’s always next week!’

The headline just about states all that needs to be said. Mind our players had a little bit more to say after the game and the word ‘Dire’ is about the only thing I can set to print!!....many did not want me to record the story of the game although one or two thought that the score line flattered Tynedale…well (although it hurts me to say it) it didn’t…Park were well beaten by a side that played a high pressure game and we did not cope as well as many thought we would. Now before we all get despondent there was loads of bright spots coupled with some very talented young players and a wily management side that more than suggests that all will be well on Preston Avenue.

And on that heartening note, it was great to see a fair number of the Percy Park faithful in attendance, along with our Head Coach Lawrence Patten and Club Captain Jonny Dubois. A thoughtful conversation took place post game that centred around playing under pressure that will bear fruit in the future….because the Tynedale Raiders were not a great side and the first 15 minutes of that game they were all at sea and Park were in control.

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