Saturday 23 March 2024

Percy Park 69 Aspatria 7

Regional 2 North

(HT: 24-0)

It was fitting that, in the presence of so many past players, the current side produced arguably their best performance of the season to not only comprehensively beat visitors Aspatria but secure the Regional 2 North title and promotion to Regional 1 North East in emphatic fashion. In the final analysis, Park knew what they had to do and they delivered to make Northern’s result at Durham City immaterial (they lost 24-19) and in doing so provided irrefutable evidence that they are the best side in this league. With a solid platform provided by the forwards, the Park back division simply had too much flair and pace for Aspatria to cope with in a twelve try demolition of the Cumbrians. It has been a fantastic season with a try bonus point secured in every match played with some awesome rugby played and Park are indeed worthy CHAMPIONS!

In the match report of our victory at Bower Park a few weeks ago, the Aspatria scribe wrote of our ‘mesmerising series of runs and false runs’, our ‘intelligent movement, structured to create space’ and ‘a near perfect combination of ball retention, aligned with precise but quick movement’ together with ‘willing runners appearing everywhere’ and, for sure, all of that was on show yesterday in a Park master class. To their great credit, Aspatria never capitulated and fought to the end and to be fair to them, in the initial stages of the match they made Park work hard for both ball and territory and the home side only led 7-0 on 27 minutes but as they moved into top gear the dam broke and thereafter, Park tries came at regular intervals. Any lingering nervous tension evident in some of the Park faithful had well and truly dissipated by the half time whistle.

Park made three changes to the side defeated at Middlesbrough last time out; Ross Young moved to fullback to replace the injured Jamie Wrigley with Seb Reece coming in on the left wing and up front, James Black returned to the back row to replace Joe Thompson while on the replacements bench Fergus Simpson, unavailable last week, replaced Reece alongside Tristan Grant and Mikey Fisher. Park also welcomed referee Diego Ricciardi, our exchange official from the Malaga Referee’s Society in Spain.

On a dry and overcast day with a strong breeze Park kicked off into the wind. Aspatria knocked on from the kick and with referee Ricciardi playing advantage Park were immediately on the attack and deep in the visitors 22. Within 3 minutes Park thought that they had scored. After an attacking lineout throw had been overthrown Park regained possession and attacked along the left, Seb Reece to the fore, and with the Aspatria defence stretched the ball was moved quickly right for Ollie Bartles-Smith to go over but Mr Ricciardi adjudged that the final pass had been marginally forward and called an Aspatria scrum. It did not take long before the first score came. Aspatria were struggling to cope with the home sides physicality and intensity in these early stages and from a superb counter ruck in midfield, Park gained a penalty which was kicked to the left-hand corner. Park moved the ball wide at speed with both Ross Young and James Black being held up on the line before a fantastic, looped pass from scrum half Andrew Walker took out two Aspatria defenders for Young to score in the right-hand corner on 8 minutes. Centre Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion from wide out. Aspatria had yet to exit their half (7-0).

From the first whistle, Park had been playing expansive rugby and this continued after the first try but errors were creeping into their game allowing Aspatria a foot hold in the match, but they were unable to fashion any real scoring opportunities. No 8 Matthew Atkinson (not to be confused with our own Matt Atkinson) carried extremely well but the Park defence held firm.  A brilliant break from Paul Spowart break came to nought after a Park player was penalised from coming in at the side at the ensuing breakdown and as the Park penalty count began to grow Spowart incurred the referee’s displeasure and received a yellow card on 21 minutes. Shortly afterward, the ball was knocked on when it seemed easier to score but Park began to eliminate the errors and indiscipline and as a result, the second score arrived. From a lineout on the left, the ball was moved in field and strong carries from both second row Chris Reekie and prop Matt Atkinson took the home side deep into the Aspatria 22. The ball was moved swiftly left for Young to give the scoring pass to Seb Reece who squeezed over in the left corner on 27 minutes. Ash Smith missed the difficult conversion (12-0).

The restart had Park again attacking from deep but a superb run from fullback Young lacked support and Aspatria gained the penalty after the ball was not released in the tackle. Park’s physicality again had the visitors in trouble when another strong counter ruck in midfield gained a penalty which was kicked to the left-hand corner. The catch and drive were perfect for Jake Smith to touch down in the left-hand corner on 35 minutes. The returning Paul Spowart was unable to convert (17-0). From the restart Park again attacked from deep with Reece scorching along the left touchline over halfway. When he was tackled illegally the resultant penalty produced a home side lineout on the Aspatria 22. The ball was moved in field with both Spowart and Reekie gaining ground. Ash Smith chipped the ball to the left corner, but it was gathered by the defence only for the ball to be immediately turned over. Scrum half Walker fed the onrushing Reekie who was never going to be stopped from 5 metres out at full tilt and he crashed over for the score on 39 minutes, 6 metres or so from the touchline. Spowart kicked an excellent conversion (24-0). The bonus point had been secured and, in truth and with no disrespect to our visitors, the game was effectively over.

HT: Percy Park 24 Aspatria 0

Aspatria got the second half under way with Park again running the ball from deep. A penalty for a high tackle on halfway had Smith kicking the penalty to put Park on the visitors 22. The ball came into midfield and Smith, seeing a gap open in front of him after a quick sidestep, ran in unopposed from the 22 line to score under the posts. Spowart converted, 42 minutes gone (31-0).

Aspatria barely had time to take a breath before Park scored again. From the restart second row Josh Hedley and centre Ollie Bartles Smith made ground before another high tackle gave Smith the opportunity to kick deep into the Aspatria 22. Another perfect catch and drive had Park over the line and flanker Jonny Dubois touching down wide out on the right on 45 minutes. The difficult conversion was missed (36-0). Park fumbled the restart and at last Aspatria had an attacking platform on the Park 22 and they made the most of it. Moving the ball right, centre Heine Jonkers got over the gain line and as Park conceded penalties referee Riccciadi played the advantage with, eventually, replacement Tom Gardner crashing over on 51 minutes for centre Matt Irving to convert (36-7).

Unfortunately, that was it for our visitors as Park hit top gear to score a further five tries. The first arrived just three minutes later. Aspatria were penalised for a high tackle midway in their own half and the penalty was kicked into the right-hand corner. As the catch and drive faltered, Walker put the ball left into midfield where replacement Fergus Simpson jinked over under the posts on 54 minute with Spowart converting (43-7).

Next up, on 57 minutes, Ross Young scored wide out on the left. From the restart, Josh Hedley on a storming run put Park into opposition territory. From a resulting Aspatria scrum, they fumbled in midfield and an alert Simpson scooped the ball up and moved quickly into the 22 before passing left to fullback Young who went one way and then the other, evading several tackles, to score. Spowart was unable to convert (48-7). On 65 minutes, after a line out on the Aspatria 22, the ball was moved swiftly right where both Simpson and Young made ground before, infield, replacement prop Tristan grant was tackled just short of the line. A quick pass from Walker saw Hedley stroll in under the posts for Spowart to convert (55-7).

The visitors, to their great credit, refused to buckle and began to gain possession and a little territory with centre Jonkers particularly prominent with several strong carries but when the ball was spilled or turned over, Park were able to counterattack with devastating speed that had the Aspatria defence scrambling. Forcing a lineout on the Aspatria 10 metre line, the ball was again moved at speed left with Matt Atkinson almost over before the ball was recycled for centre Bartles-Smith to jink over under the posts on 72 minutes. Paul Spowart converted (62-7). As the clock ticked down there was still time for one more try to begin the title celebrations. Park stole the ball as Aspatria tried to play out of their 22 and the ball was quickly transferred to left wing Seb Reece who sidestepped several tackles to run in under the posts for an excellent try. Spowart converted and the final whistle was blown (69-7).

Cue much celebration as the trophy was presented on the pitch and afterwards in the clubhouse. Aspatria were gracious in defeat and congratulated us on the title win, but in truth, they were simply blown away by a superlative performance from the home side intent on travelling to Northern on the final day of the league season as champions. Every player contributed and played well today and the whole senior squad and the coaches deserve huge credit for all their hard work and commitment in what has been an incredible season, but special mention should be made of Howard Stock who has been an inspiring captain.

Post match, before the celebrations became too raucous, regular standoff Fergus Simpson summed up the game and the season: “Today, I thought we played some of our best rugby of the season, backs and forwards. We knew Aspatria would be very physical, but I thought we coped with that well and in the forwards, we were much the better side. With so much ball we had the freedom to run and some our tries were class. We have worked really hard this year and I have really loved being part of this team and winning the league is very, very special. We deserve it”. It is hard to disagree with those sentiments.

Northern fell at the penultimate hurdle, losing 24-19 at Durham but it mattered not, the five-point haul gained today has Park out of sight at the summit of Regional 2 North and that would have been the case even if our city rivals had won. We thank our visitors for an excellent game and their generosity in defeat and we also thank our referee Diego Ricciardi and hope that he enjoyed his visit to Preston Avenue.

The Lions entertained Tynedale Raiders in an early kick off at Preston Avenue, losing a tough game 26-52 to the Corbridge side. After an excellent and closely fought first half, Tynedale ramped up the pressure in the second half to run away with the game.

There is a two week break before our final league game at McCracken Park on 6 April which is probably just as well given the celebrations on Saturday night! KO is at 3pm. The following weekend, Saturday 13 April, Park begin their Papa John’s Community Cup adventure with a long trip to the Wirral to take on Birkenhead Park in the Regional 2 Championship in a repeat of fixture in last season’s Plate competition, KO again at 3pm. All support would be welcome.

Once again, many congratulations to the lads, PERCY PARK ARE CHAMPIONS!

Percy Park: 15 Ross Young; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ollie Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 James Black; 7 Jake Smith; 6 Jonny Dubois; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Tristan Grant, Mikey Fisher, Fergus Simpson

Saturday 16 March 2024

Middlesbrough 32 Percy Park 26

Regional 2 North

(HT: 27-19)

As the players left the field on Saturday, 20 minutes after the final whistle, flanker Jake Smith simply said: “Hard game. We lost, we’ve put it to bed, we go again next week” and that sentiment was echoed post match by his team mates. After defeat to Middlesbrough in a titanic physical battle there were surely thoughts of could have, should have, but Park did not leave empty handed; two vital bonus points were secured that still leave us six points clear at the summit of Regional 2 North with just two games left to play in this league season. In the final analysis, Middlesbrough just about deserved their victory and Park at times, particularly in the first half, contributed to their own downfall but when, late on, Middlesbrough threatened to run away with the game Park summoned the energy and fight to almost snatch victory. Their fantastic record of scoring a try bonus point in every league game played was maintained and another was gained by ending the game within seven points of the victors. Although not wishing to tempt fate, those points may be the difference in our bid to become league champions at the end of the campaign.

Park made several changes to the side that defeated Stockton a fortnight ago; both Fergus Simpson and James Black were unavailable, so player/coach Ash Smith moved to standoff with Ollie Bartles-Smith partnering Paul Spowart in the centre. In the back row, Joe Thompson replaced Black and Jake Smith came in as openside flanker with Jonny Dubois moving to No 8 to replace the injured Leo Caulfield. Matt Atkinson came into the front row with Tristan Grant dropping to the replacements bench where he was joined by Mikey Fisher and fit again former captain Seb Reece. It was great to see Seb back after a long injury lay off.

On a bright sunny afternoon with a slight breeze (that strengthened as the match progressed), a perfect day for rugby, ‘Boro kicked off and it was Park who started the brighter side in a frenetic opening 10 minutes. They were quickly into the ‘Boro 22 but were caught offside with the home side able to clear their lines but Park were able to return the ball with interest, a clever kick by No 8 Jonny Dubois was chased by scrum half Andrew Walker. The ball was taken over the line by a defender and touched down. As Park put the pressure on in the ensuing 5 metre scrum they were penalised by referee Liam Rogers to their obvious puzzlement and ‘Boro were able to clear the danger.

On 10 minutes, Park opened the scoring. As ‘Boro moved the ball left in midfield from a scrum the ball was dropped and pounced on by the alert Howard Stock who powered forward to be tackled just short of the line. The ball was moved swiftly left for Dubois to go over midway between the left touchline and the posts. Centre Paul Spowart converted (0-7).

The ’Boro response was almost immediate. From the kick off, they worked themselves into the game and when Park were penalised for offside on their 22, the ball was kicked into the left hand corner. The visitors were unable to stop the catch and drive with ‘Boro hooker Joe Sawdon scoring on 15 minutes. Wing Sean Moloney converted (7-7). Middlesbrough immediately struck again from the kick off and with Park unable to gather the ball the home side used their big forward ball carriers to drive forward. Several missed tackles, the first on Park’s 10 metre line, contributed to their progress but when they were finally stopped close to the try line the ball was moved right at speed for ‘Boro full back Matthew Marsay to evade two tackles to score wide out on the right on 18 minutes. Sean Moloney kicked an excellent conversion (14-7).  

Park were again under immediate pressure from the restart but the home side were penalised for holding on to the ball in the tackle and Ash Smith was able to kick to halfway. From the lineout, Park began to put some phases together and exert some pressure of their own and when ‘Boro infringed again, midway in their own half, Smith kicked to the left hand corner. The home side managed to disrupt the resultant drive but in doing so infringed and Smith again kicked to the left hand corner. Middlesbrough managed to disrupt the drive again and just when it looked that the pressure would come to nothing Smith found a way to jink through the ‘Boro defence to score under the posts on 25 minutes. Spowart converted to tie the score (14-14).

Once again, immediately from the kick off, Park allowed the home side to reclaim the ball and centre Aidan Moloney was able to shrug off several tackles to go in under the posts allowing Sean Moloney an easy conversion on 27 minutes (21-14). In a game being played at a frenzied pace, back came the visitors with second row Chris Reekie storming into the ‘Boro 22 only for the ball to be knocked on at the breakdown. Two instances of indiscipline then enabled the home side to stretch their lead; firstly Park strayed offside just inside their own half and ‘Boro were able to kick into the 22. As the ball came infield from the lineout Park were again adjudged to have strayed offside and ‘Boro elected to kick for goal with Sean Moloney converting the penalty on 32 minutes (24-14).

The response from the league leaders came straight from the kick off. They regained possession and attacked along the left touchline, Reekie to the fore, and when the ball was moved at speed right along the line, replacement wing Seb Reece was able to go over 5 yards in from the right corner for an excellent try on 35 minutes. Paul Spowart was unable to kick the difficult conversion (24-19). Sadly, Park again conceded points immediately from the restart, this time penalised for not releasing in the tackle on their own 22. Sean Maloney gratefully kicked the resultant penalty on 38 minutes (27-19).

Park appeared to be determined to score before the half ended but indiscipline cost them in a frantic last few minutes. Park forced two attacking lineouts deep in the ‘Boro 22, an overthrow in the first resulted in a Park infringement allowing the home side to clear their lines and in the second, with the clock in the red, the ball was turned over again allowing ‘Boro to relieve the pressure and gain a further penalty on halfway. There was no further scoring before the half time whistle. A great half of rugby played at an unrelenting pace.

HT: Middlesbrough 27 Percy Park 19

If they had failed to score at the end of the first half, Park were even more determined to score early in the second and this time they were successful. Park kicked off and immediately had the home side under pressure. ‘Boro kicked long and the ball was fielded by Ross Young, who had moved to fullback after an early injury to Jamie Wrigley, and he brilliantly evaded a follow up tackle to move forward at pace. The ball was quickly in the hands of Reece, running a superb line, for the replacement to scythe through the home defence unopposed to score under the posts, the perfect start to the half on 42 minutes, the try bonus point secured. Paul Spowart converted to bring the visitors within a point (27-26).

However, the next few minutes were a horror story with Park putting themselves under unnecessary pressure due to indiscipline. The restart again caused problems with the visitors being penalised for not releasing on their own 10 metre line. ‘Boro elected to kick for goal but, in a let off, Sean Moloney missed the kick. Seconds later, Park scrum half Andrew Walker was shown a yellow card by referee Rogers for an off the ball tackle and again Moloney missed with the resultant penalty kick. The visitors gained some traction and a huge tackle from Chris Reekie and steal from replacement prop Tristan Grant gave Smith the opportunity to kick deep into the ‘Boro 22 but Park were unable to profit from an ensuing penalty when the ball was knocked-on. A kick through from Paul Spowart had No 8 Jonny Dubois chasing hard but the home side were eventually able to relieve the pressure.

The tide began to turn as the third quarter ended; a succession of Park infringements had ‘Boro deep into Park territory, with centres Aidan Moloney, Jack McPhillips and No 8 Adam Marron running and carrying well. The visitors were having to defend a series of ‘Boro drives along the left hand touchline but on 57 minutes flanker Rohan Brown broke free and cantered over in the left hand corner to score the home sides fourth try to earn the bonus point. In a change of place kicker, Aidan Moloney was unable to add the extras (32-26). Six points the difference going into the last 20 minutes.

Park were unable to sustain any meaningful response from the restart despite gaining possession and territory due to repeated knock on offences and this gave ‘Boro the platform to put the visitors under sustained pressure. On 67 minutes a ‘Boro penalty after Park had not released in the tackle had captain Howard Stock warned by referee Rogers and from the resultant penalty ‘Boro mauled into the Park 22 only to knock on with Park able to clear from the scrum. Park were struggling for possession and when they did get the ball it was knocked on or turned over. Park’s defence was excellent, but the penalty count was increasing and on 74 minutes, Stock was warned again by the referee to speak to his players but, after being under the cosh for some 15 minutes, this seemed to galvanise the visitors who summoned the energy and fight to go after the game to win it in an exciting last few minutes.

First possession, then territory and then a penalty kicked to the left hand corner. The catch and drive looked good until Park were adjudged to have knocked on as the try line beckoned. From the scrum, Park were penalised for engaging too early and then, again, knocked on from the resultant line out. As the clock entered the red, Park were awarded a penalty after a scrum close to the ‘Boro line in the left corner. The Park faithful were expecting a kick into the corner but Park chose a tap and go and after being held up on the line ‘Boro were awarded a penalty, and a fantastic game of rugby came to an end.

FT: Middlesbrough 32 Percy Park 26    

For a neutral, this was an absorbing game of rugby between two excellent sides. For supporters of the two protagonists, it probably caused heart failure at one time or another. Both sides knew that they had been in a real battle, a hard physical contest that was not finally decided until the last second. For Middlesbrough, the result has all but confirmed a third place finish and continues their recent run of form, a sixth successive league victory. They have some explosive ball carriers and they are able to mix their game, equally adept at playing a tight forward game or putting the ball out wide. We congratulate them on their victory, thank them for their excellent hospitality and wish them well for the remainder of the season. A great club with great facilities.

For Park, a defeat but a steely determination to put things right next week. Post match, player/coach Ash Smith had this to say: “What was great, we put some really good shape into our attack and were a constant threat from the start and that shows by us claiming another four try bonus point. We had a few personnel changes and I think the lads who came back in really put their hands up. Joe Thompson came back into the side and put in a great shift at six and to have Seb Reece come back in after such a long time out was fantastic. It shows his quality that he can come on and score a brace. As for next week, it is all to play for. The lads understand our current situation and it is literally black and white (no pun intended Ash) what we now need to achieve next weekend against what is going to be a physical Aspatria side. What I am hoping to see next weekend is an increase in physicality and to show real resilience into sticking to who we are and how we play”.

The two points gained mean that a bonus point win next weekend in our penultimate game will see us win Regional 2 North. Northern, our nearest challengers, beat West Hartlepool 30-26 in a tight game but managed to gain a try bonus point to keep the pressure on. For the neutral, a title decider at McCracken Park in our final game would be a fantastic climax to the league season but for me, I would rather be celebrating next Saturday night and enjoy a meaningless final fixture!

The Lions also travelled to Acklam Park on Saturday and enjoyed a thumping win over Middlesbrough Wasps 24-55 and it was great to see scrum half Charlie Miller back in action.

Sadly, the Panthers suffered heartbreak on Sunday when they lost 19-33 at home to Blaydon in their final league game of the season and in the process lost top spot and the league title. In a close game, two late tries did the damage but many congratulations to our Panthers, players and coaching staff, for a fantastic league season. They have shown what they are capable of, and our clubs women’s section is going from strength to strength. The club could not be prouder of your efforts.

So, our penultimate game next week at Preston Avenue is against Aspatria who we defeated in Cumbria last month, KO at 3pm. The players have put everything into this season and fully deserve all our support so, if possible, please make every effort to attend the game and cheer on the lads to a win and league title.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ollie Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Ross Young; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Jonny Dubois; 7 Jake Smith; 6 Joe Thompson; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Tristan Grant, Seb Reece, Mikey Fisher

Saturday 2 March 2024

Stockton 0 Percy Park 57

Regional 2 North

(HT: 0-31)

This was, by some margin, Park’s biggest win of the season, at home or on the road, and Stockton’s biggest defeat of what has for them been a disappointing campaign. With now just three league games remaining and still holding a nine-point lead over nearest challengers Northern, this game was indeed a huge statement of intent from Park to win the league title. I have rarely seen a game, at any level, where the home team have not once entered the oppositions 22 in the first 40 minutes but that was certainly the case on Saturday and with the visitors scoring five first half tries without reply the contest was effectively over at the break. The hosts, in tenth place in the league table, needed something from the game and the talk in the clubhouse pre-match was of Stockton playing an expansive game to secure, if not the win, a bonus point or bonus points. However, their only real threat came early in the second half and, not for the first time this season, Park’s defence when called upon was simply outstanding.

There were just three changes to the side that defeated Durham two weeks ago; Ross Young returned to the starting line-up on the left wing after injury, Tristan Grant replaced the unavailable Aaron Smith in the front row and both Ollie Bartles-Smith and Matt Atkinson returned to the replacements bench. I am not sure who at Park sent over the team sheet, but it could not have included first names because our hosts appear to have invented them. The pick of the bunch in the match programme were Ollie Reekie, Ollie Spowart (Ollie is obviously popular on the Tees) and my own favourite, Isaac Dubois!

The hosts kicked off on an overcast, very cold afternoon with a slight breeze and rain never too far away. Park were immediately on the attack and a sweeping move along the left touchline saw a kick ahead by standoff Fergus Simpson canon off a Stockton player to avert danger but it did not take the visitors very long to post the first score of the game. On 5 minutes, a Park scrum in centre field saw the ball moved swiftly right. Captain Howard Stock on the right wing jinked in field, the ball moving quickly to the supporting Josh Hedley. The second row crashed through two attempted tackles to give the scoring pass to prop Sam Digman who went over just to the right of the posts. The try was converted by centre Paul Spowart (0-7).  

The second try came just four minutes later. From the restart, slick play from the visitors forced a defensive lineout deep in the Stockton 22. Although the ball was secured, pressure from the Park forwards had Stockton struggling to clear the ball from their own in goal area and when the Stockton fullback Ollie Shaw attempted a left footed clearance kick it simply fell straight into the arms of Park hooker Dan Shuttleworth who crashed over midway between the right touchline and the posts. Spowart converted (0-14).

The visitors immediately attacked again from the restart with fullback Jamie Wrigley racing along the left touchline and his pass to Ross Young looked to have put the winger in but he was denied by an outstanding tackle from Stockton fullback Ollie (there’s that name again) Shaw. After 15 minutes Park scored again from a scrum just outside the home 22. A huge shove by the visiting eight had the Stockton pack going backwards and flanker James Black took the opportunity to pick up, evade two would be tackles, and score in the left-hand corner. The conversion was missed (0-19).

The third Park score seemed to galvanise the home side into securing some possession, but they simply could not gain any meaningful territory and when they lost the ball on halfway visiting scrum half Andrew Walker kicked ahead. He won the race for the ball to score but referee Mike Appleton called play back for an infringement that appeared to puzzle even the home support. As the half progressed Stockton were forced to give away penalties with Park electing scrums on several occasions. Ross Young slipped as the try line beckoned and prop Tristan Grant was held up on the line as the pressure mounted but after Stockton were forced to touch down in goal the scrum pressure finally told. James Black was held up just short but quick ball saw Paul Spowart at pace put second row Chris Reekie in for the bonus point try on 37 minutes. Spowart converted (0-26).

With the clock winding down to the break Stockton must have been hoping to hear the half time whistle but unfortunately for them Park were not finished. In first half stoppage time, a Park lineout in the Stockton 22 saw the ball into the arms of flanker ‘Isaac’ Dubois who stormed over in the left-hand corner for try number five. Spowart was unable to kick the difficult conversion (0-31).

HT: Stockton 0 Percy Park 31

As the rain began to fall, Park kicked off the second half. It was as if the first half had not happened, with the home side on the attack and immediately in the Park 22. The next 10 minutes saw the visitors under sustained pressure but excellent defence denied the home side any serious scoring opportunity despite them twice being almost on the try line. As the third quarter ended, Park were able to lift the siege. From a scrum midway in the Park half, a great run from Black eventually led to Stockton conceding a penalty for not releasing in the tackle and the ball was kicked into the corner. The catch and drive saw Park held up over the line and Stockton were able to clear their lines. Despite this period of pressure, Stockton had failed to score and the fight seemed to go out of them with Park taking full advantage.  After a high tackle on replacement centre Ollie Bartles-Smith midway in the Stockton half, the ball was kicked to the right corner. From the lineout the ball was moved quickly into midfield where a superb pass from Spowart put Bartles-Smith, running a great line, in just to the right of the posts on 62 minutes. Spowart converted (0-38).

The next few minutes saw the visitors constantly on the attack with Stockton defending valiantly but the damn broke again on 72 minutes when, from a scrum midway in the Stockton half, a great pass from Walker saw Ross Young score in at the left-hand corner. The conversion was missed (0-43).

With time running out, Stockton must have been hoping that their misery was complete but it was not to be with standoff Fergus Simpson scoring two excellent late tries. The first, on 75 minutes, saw Simpson on a great run along the right touchline. He was tackled and the ball was moved across field to left wing Ross Young. He made ground and his fantastic offload saw the ball back infield to Simpson to crash over. Paul Spowart converted (0-50).

With time almost called, another excellent attacking move saw Simpson over by the posts for Paul Spowart to convert with the last kick of the match (0-57).

FT: Stockton 0 Percy Park 57

This was as comprehensive a victory as could be wished for, home or away, and it maintains the nine-point lead over Northern at the summit of Regional 2 North. Our city rivals won a hard fought game at Consett 18-27 and in the process secured a try bonus point. It is going to be a fantastic climax to the league season. Our commiserations to Stockton; it is never easy to be on the receiving end of a very heavy defeat but to their great credit, they never threw in the towel and, particularly in the opening of the second half, played well without gaining any reward. No 8 Paul Evans and scrum half Nick Whinstanley played extremely well but the defeat sends our hosts to second bottom of the league. We wish them the very best for the remainder of the season; they were gracious in defeat and we thank them for their kind and generous hospitality. Our grateful thanks, as always, to referee Mike Appleton.

For Park, it was all positive; an attacking threat from almost anywhere on the field and a defence that just seems to get better with every game played. Our man-of-the-match Paul Spowart had this to say post-match: “I hope that the hard work that the lads are putting in is plain to see. There are thirty-five senior players at every training session working so, so hard, playing their hardest for the shirt, for the club. Every game we treat as a cup final, that is our mentality and it will be until the last league game is played. I have to say, although we scored a lot of tries today, our defence when we needed it was fantastic and again, it shows the work that we are doing in training”. That hard work is very much in evidence but the players are definitely not getting ahead of themselves; nothing has yet been achieved so the hard work continues. Paul also asked me to mention that he won, all too easily, the after match MOTM drink contest. The sign of a seasoned pro Spow!

The Lions were also on Teeside to take on Billingham and although they lost 54-28 in a high scoring game, the Lions played as well as they have done this season. Billingham had several players from their National 2 side playing but they were given a stern test by their Tyneside opponents. This Saturday, the Lions face the Rockcliff 1st XV in the Northumberland Plate semi-final at Preston Avenue, KO is at 2pm. The game will be followed by the live screening of the England v Ireland 6 Nations game in the 1872 Bar. All support would be most welcome particularly as there is no first team game next weekend.

The Panthers too are engaged in a titanic battle for the league championship in NC 3 North (North). Having lost their last two league games by agonisingly close margins, 15-12 at Rockcliff and 25-24 at Blaydon, they hold a slender one point lead at the top with one game to play, at home to Blaydon on Sunday17 March. It should be a great game and again, all support would be most welcome.

Park are next in action on Saturday 16 March when they return to Teeside to take on Middlesbrough who are currently third in the Regional 2 North table and who are unbeaten in their last five league fixtures, the latest being a 30-34 victory at Durham at the weekend. It will be a very tough test.  

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jonny Dubois; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant.

Replacements: Matt Atkinson, Jake Smith, Ollie Bartles-Smith

Photo courtesy of Julie Hedley

Saturday 17 February 2024

Percy Park 43 Durham City 7 

Regional 2 North

(HT: 12-0)

Durham City arrived at Preston Avenue as one of the form teams in Regional 2 North, third in the table having won seven of their last eight league games and, pre match, there was a quiet air of confidence from their support that they could cause an upset and inflict only the second defeat of the league season on Park and their first at home. And when, after Park had needed to produce a superb first half defensive effort, Durham scored early in the second half to reduce the deficit to just five points there were more than a few spectators (President Keith Atkinson an honourable exception) who began to think Durham might just be able to do it but in an amazing twenty-three minute spell Park turned defence into devastating attack to score five tries and inflict the visitors heaviest defeat of the season. It has to be said, Durham were a little shell shocked at the final whistle, particularly after their first half efforts and it must have been difficult for them to understand how they had not scored in the opening 40 minutes. Regardless of the scoreline, this was a blood and thunder contest by two fully committed teams.

For Percy Park, there were several team changes after last weekend’s win at Aspatria; captain Howard Stock returned to the right wing and, after his very promising debut last week, Josh Sho-Perring switched to the left wing in place of the injured Toby Davison. Up front, Sam Digman replaced Tristan Grant at tighthead prop and Jonny Dubois replaced Jake Smith in the back row. Smith and Grant dropped to the replacements bench where they were joined by Ross Young, making a welcome return to the side after a lengthy injury spell on the sidelines.

On an overcast but thankfully dry day, with very little breeze, Park kicked off and were immediately on the offensive with the early exchanges taking place in the Durham half. After a great Josh Hedley pass, standoff Fergus Simpson broke through the visitors defence with a great run but was unable to get what would have been a scoring pass away to the supporting Leo Caulfield but Park had two further early chances to score, the second of which they took. Twice in the space of two minutes, Park kicked penalties into the right hand corner and after the first catch and drive resulted in the ball being knocked on, the second, on 6 minutes, was perfectly executed for No 8 Caulfield to score wideout. Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion (7-0).

From the kick off Park gained a scrum penalty almost immediately and seemed to be in the ascendancy, moving the ball well and gaining ground but then a series of unforced errors handed the initiative to Durham. A knock on, a turnover and a relieving kick to touch out on the full, in very quick succession, led to a Durham throw at a lineout just outside of the hosts 22. From here Durham brought their big ball carriers into play led by No 8 Peter Dent to get the visitors almost to the try line. For the next seven or eight minutes, Durham hammered at the Park line but the home defence was simply magnificent. Twice, Durham were held up over the line and whether they used the forwards as battering rams or put the ball wide every attack was met with a black and white wall. The tackling was relentless, every Park player involved, and while it is difficult to single out any one in particular, one tackle by second row Chris Reekie on Dent shook the Clubhouse! But as the first quarter ended, Durham conceded a penalty for not releasing in the tackle which was greeted by much fist pumping by the home players and centre Ash Smith was able to relieve the pressure.

The second quarter was an attritional battle; both sides wanting to play but both defences equal to the task. Again, the tackling was relentless with both sides hampered by unforced errors. One Jamie Wrigley run had the Durham defence scrambling to cover but Park were beginning to get the upper hand in the scrum which was to prove vital as the first half ended. Durham were awarded a scrum midway in their own half but a huge effort from the home eight sent the City pack backwards at a rate of knots forcing a scrum penalty which was kicked into the left hand corner. Another excellent catch and drive had Dan Shuttleworth touch down wide on the left on 39 minutes. Paul Spowart was unable to convert the difficult kick (12-0). An thunderously physical first half, superbly refereed by Anthony Lowery.

HT: Percy Park 12 Durham City 0 

Durham kicked off the second half and were immediately on the attack, moving the ball both left and right probing the Park defence. After the Park scrum half strayed offside on the 22, Durham kicked the resultant penalty into the left hand corner. Although the catch and drive did not go to plan, Durham retained possession and a series of drives were held up, again with magnificent defence by the hosts. However, City No 8 Peter Dent eventually found a gap to squeeze the ball down to the left of the posts. Scrum half and Durham skipper Paul Armstrong converted on 43 minutes (12-7). Durham on the scoreboard, just five points adrift, game on (or so we thought) but then came the Park twenty-three minute purple patch… 

From the kick off, Durham conceded a penalty after referee Lowery deemed a tackle on second row Chris Reekie was dangerous and although he played advantage play was quickly brought back to the Durham 10 metre line where the ball was kicked into the visitors 22. Excellent play by Dent disrupted the Park drive after the ball was secured from the throw but scrum half Andrew Walker saw second row Josh Hedley out on the left touchline. The big man crashed through two attempted tackles to offload a perfect ball inside to the supporting Walker who skipped through for an excellent try on 47 minutes midway between the touchline and posts. Spowart converted and Park had restored their twelve point advantage (19-7). 

The next few minutes saw Durham playing in the Park half but they were unable to fashion any real pressure or scoring opportunities due to indiscipline. Eventually, a Park penalty brought play to halfway. From the lineout, the ball was moved infield but when Reekie was tackled the ball came back left and fullback Wrigley, running an excellent line at pace, scorched along the left hand touchline. He kicked ahead as the cover came across, but as the Durham full back attempted a relieving kick to touchl, replacement wing Ross Young charged the ball down, regathered, and scored in the left corner for a great opportunist try on 56 minutes. The conversion was missed but the try bonus point had been secured (24-7). 

Four minutes later Park scored again. From the kick off the hosts secured possession and a surging run from Reekie set them off. Great support play saw Park almost to the 22 before Durham infringed (not rolling away after the tackle) and the resultant kick was put into the visitors 22 on the left touchline. The throw went directly to Park flanker James Black who saw the space in front of him open up and he galloped over for the score which was converted by Paul Spowart (31-7).

Park retained possession from the kick off, keeping the ball in hand, creating space and forcing Durham on the defensive. Ross Young powered into the Durham half off of his wing but lost his footing but possession was retained and quick ball into the hands of Wrigley had the fullback racing up to the 22 where his outside pass to right wing Howard Stock had the captain over in the corner for another superb score on 65 minutes. Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion (38-7). 

A storming run from replacement prop Tristan Grant straight from the restart had Park back on the front foot and when, eventually, a Durham defensive lineout on their own 10 metre line was turned over Chris Reekie was on hand to crash over for try number seven on 70 minutes to the left of the posts. The conversion was missed (43-7).

Durham had become a bit ragged during the Park onslaught but to their credit regrouped in search of a late score but resolute Park defence kept them at bay. On 75 minutes, Park second row Hedley was adjudged by referee Lowery to have tackled a City player dangerously and was shown a yellow card, a fair call by the official. This seemed to galvanise the home side once again and the last few minutes saw Park camped in the visitors 22 but they were unable to add to the score.

FT: Percy Park 43 Durham City 7

This was a cracker of a game that certainly showed the very best of this Park squad of players. Awesome defence was required in the first half but even so, they found a way to score two tries. In the second half, when Durham scored early and the pressure was on, Park found a way to hit top gear and simply blow the visitors away. Seven tries to one tells its own story perhaps but Durham played their part in what was an enthralling contest. 

Jake Smith had this to say post match: “A really hard game. First half we were under pressure but our defence was rock solid. In the second, we were able to really turn the screw and I thought Durham crumbled a bit if I’m honest, no disrespect to them. We aren’t talking about winning the league, we’re not allowed to! It’s one game at a time as the saying goes”. The lads are obviously not getting ahead of themselves.

Josh Hedley was our man-of-the-match and, in truth, he was immense and seems to get better and better each week although he would probably agree that every Park player contributed to what was in the end a comprehensive victory. It was great to see both captain Howard Stock and Ross Young return to action and both scored tries. For Durham, No 8 Peter Dent was outstanding and in the backs, right wing Ben Speight was eager for work, particularly in the first half. We thank them for a real physical battle, played in the right spirit, and wish them well for the remainder of the season, particularly their home game against Northern in their penultimate league game. We apologise for the cold showers - problem with the boilers!  Our grateful thanks also to referee Anthony Lowery without whom there is no game and to our match sponsors Marine Safety Supplies whose continued support is so greatly appreciated.

Park maintain their nine point lead over Northern at the top of Regional 2 North with four games to go. Northern had a big win over Morpeth at McCracken Park, 50-10. Durham slip to fourth in the table after this defeat with Middlesbrough, who we meet on Teeside next month, moving into third after a 29-5 home victory over West Hartlepool. 

The Lions also had a good win at home to West Hartlepool Stags. The First XV are next in action in two weeks time when they travel to Stockton in the league on Saturday 3 March, KO is at 3pm. However, if you need your regular fix next weekend, the Lions are at home to Blaydon on Saturday 24 February and the Panthers continue their quest to win NC3 North (North) on Sunday 25 February when they take on Rockcliff at Hillheads. All support for our teams would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Josh Sho-Perring; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield ©; 7 Jonny Dubois; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements: Tristan Grant; Jake Smith; Ross Young