North One East
Percy Park RFC 20 v Driffield RFC 13
Park deliver with thrills, spills and an unhealthy amount of tension
With the Coronavirus having a major impact on live professional sport Percy Park and Driffield served up a classic game of rugby that exhibited thrills, spills and tension…lots of tension…and demonstrated that grassroots sport provides more excitement than some of the drivel that you see on TV. Despite the excitement of watching this monumental contest the coronavirus question would not go away. The subject was the chat in the bar prior, on the terraces and in the stands during and never left the room until all had departed Preston Avenue. The subject matter seemed to spin around the thought that this could be Percy Park’s last fixture of the season and, if so, what would happen with the remaining league fixtures and how would that affect the outcome of promotion and relegation. With relegation firmly on our minds they were key questions for ‘the faithful’ and all agreed that at the end of the day we needed to be out of the bottom three. If a decision had to be made in the coming week (and all suspect it will) it is probably best to be out of the relegation zone. With that in mind Captain Seb Reece led his troops into battle and delivered an impressive performance against a really good Driffield side.
Josh Hedley led the charge from the off. The gargantuan second row was immense and in those vital opening minutes demonstrated real power as the Driffield bodies fell off him as he carried the ball into advantageous areas for the Percy Park team. The speed in which Park attacked had the Driffield ‘boys’ scrambling’ and it was no surprise when they went offside allowing Ash Smith a punt at goal. Unfortunately his effort fell well wide following a rather ‘hollow’ strike on the ball. The miss did not dampen Percy Park’s spirit and they were at the door and knocking loudly. The movement of ball from fly half Michael Grove had Percy Park purring like a well-tuned Rolls Royce engine! The scrummage was immense as Driffield went skidding back. Penalty’s followed as Driffield hung on but that ball zipped and the space could not be covered as a flying Mattie Boustead added the finish to a really good team try. Just to add to the excitement the conversion struck the inside of the left hand post before crossing the bar. 7 nil to the home side.
Driffield are a very good side and a turn over ball gave them their first meaningful possession and with ball in hand they came alive. The defence from both sides was awesome. The Driffield ‘5’ were up and quick….they do not play with traditional second rows preferring 5 athletes that can get up and away…..that quick defence stifled Park and’ gained them ball’. Only a nifty try saving tackle from Seb Reece kept them at bay. The aggression in the game brought a toll to both sides as players were replaced…it was hearty stuff. As Driffield pressed Park exited really well and as a consequence the game went to the ‘coal face’ or if you prefer it was ‘even-steven’s’.
The next on goal attempt came with only 6 minutes left on the half….As Park stretched the play Driffield crept offside allowing Ash Smith ‘a free ball’ and in the doing he elected to chip to the corner. The kick asked a lot as Adam Hay gallantly chased the ball. As the player was nowhere near the referee moved Percy Park back to the original offence, allowing Ash Smith an attempt at goal. Adam Hay received some banter from his team mates which signified that the Tyneside team were confident and enjoying; ‘the battle’. Unfortunately the strike was ‘scruffy’ and as a result the ball ‘spiraled wide’. Smith did not need to worry as Driffield offended again giving Park another attempt at goal. This time lying all over the ball as Park attacked. Ash Smith did not miss. 10 nil to Percy Park.
Driffield responded. Carrying the ball deep into Park’s 22 and recycling well as they went through the phases. A pass to their open side flanker hanging wide had Michael Grove making the tackle. The tackle looked good and the ball appeared to be dropped. As the referee indicated play on a foot race over the 22 took place with Grove getting the vital touchdown. The drop out went long and as Driffield ran it back the game got a bit tasty with the Driffield scrum half appearing to drop his knee on a prone Percy Park player. After a little ‘dust up’ the referee blew to the half with Percy Park ten points to the good and all enjoying a really good game of rugby.
Ash Smith restarted the game with a high kick deep in the Driffield half. The home side were all over the receiver taking man and ball into touch for the lineout. Only resolute defence from a well organised Driffield side kept Park at bay. In fact their defence was that good Percy Park were going backwards…… and that was with possession of the ball! As the game went to the set piece, both sides started to cancel out each other’s threat. It was akin to a game of chess as each side probed for a weakness or tried to force a mistake. Unfortunately for the home support that mistake came from a wandering Park hand in the ruck. With a quick tap Driffield were ‘at the home line’ and on this occasion resolute defence was shown by the Tyneside team as they eventually turned over ball and winning the scrummage decision. Instead of clearing ‘the lines’ Park ran the ball out and were penalised for holding on. Driffield decided on the points.10 -3 the score.
The response was almost immediate with a well set up maul hurtling toward the Driffield 22. Driffield could not find the purchase to prevent the momentum so a well-timed ‘pull down’ brought the attacking team to the floor. A points scoring opportunity Ash Smith did not turn down.13-3 on the scoreboard.
The score took Driffield to the ‘huddle’. A change of ‘tack’ saw the ball passed across the face of the Park defence…risky as it invited the interception. Park called for ‘line speed’ to combat the change but one lofted pass caught out the advancing defence and Driffield got behind. Only a fine tackle around the legs from Ali Blair prevented the winger from making the try line. Driffield retained the possession and flung the ball wide and right. Park defended really well and for long periods holding the visitors on their own line. In the end pressure told with another long pass out wide and Driffield went over for the score. The angle of the conversion was difficult and as a consequence the conversion was missed. 13-8.
The game went to the ‘ebb and flow’ with no quarter given by either side. It was absorbing to watch and as time marched with 5 points the difference tensions started to ramp on the terraces. Mattie Boustead caused major excitement as he gathered a well worked move off the back of the scrum. Slicing through the defence his pace took him into the Driffield half…drawing the full back he passed the ball to a supporting Ali Blair. Blair had a clear run to the line only to be felled by the best tackle of the day from a chasing Driffield winger. Gripping stuff.
Percy Park had already proved adept ‘at the maul’. Driffield gave Ash Smith an opening by failing to roll away. Well placed on the 5 metre line Smith took the play to the line out. A catch, drive, maul and spin saw Aaron Smith crash over for an excellent forwards try. A try that was wildly celebrated by the whole team. Only the shrill whistle of the referee prevented another ‘little dust up’. Converted at 20 points to 8.
To say that the game got a little spikey would be an understatement…little contests were happening ‘off the ball’ all over the pitch. Park showed their mettle and stuck at the task in hand. Driffield were aggrieved they were behind and like any good side did not take it lying down. With ‘10 to go’ Park were forced to defend. The forwards were immense. Throughout the game Jonny Dubois was at the forefront and as the game went to the ‘kitchen’ he led from the front ably supported by Austin Phillips. There was a real urgency about the Driffield play and they probed and looked for any opening they could find. As Park defended the clock ticked down. Jake Smith was enjoying himself making hit after hit…and as he did so his voice got higher and higher! Austin Phillips gathered a ball and rolled over attracting the penalty and the final play of the game. Driffield took the tap and plowed across. With the conversion missed the final score …. Percy Park 20 Driffield 13.
Both sides took part in an engrossing game of rugby and warmly congratulated each other as they left the pitch. A great game to watch and that feeling crept over into the bar afterwards as the Driffield side and alikado’s stayed a tad longer than usual. Hopefully we will see them again next season.
The result meant that Percy Park gained 4 very valuable points and moved out of the relegation zone. Captain Seb Reece took his team onto the field to achieve that aim and to their credit they achieved it. Now all we have to do is wait and find out how coronavirus is going to effect the remaining games and in turn relegation and promotion from North One East…..and as I write this Bradford and Bingley have closed down for the season…….we wish them well…….
Best keep an eye on the web site…
Representing Percy Park v Driffield
From 8: Michael Langlands Leo Caulfield, Andrew Dunn, Josh Hedley, Austin Phillips, Marc Cook, Jonny Dubois and Aaron Smith.
From 15: Mattie Boustead, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Ash Smith, Ali Blair, Michael Grove and Ruairi Meharg.
Off the pine (now called finishers!) Adam Hay, Sam Digman and Jake Smith
