Saturday 6 January 2024

Percy Park 24 Upper Eden 6

Regional 2 North

(HT: 12-6)

In this our first fixture of the new year, Park hosted Upper Eden RUFC and, given the respective league positions, anyone who thought that this game would result in an easy home victory was in for a rude awakening. On a heavy pitch, our Cumbrian visitors took the game to the league leaders, particularly in the first half enjoying the lion's share of possession, and it took, at times. a heroic defensive effort from the home side to stop them crossing the try line. Park were not at their free flowing best in attack but take nothing away from Upper Eden, they came to play and gave us a hard, physical battle, an extremely stern test that the scoreboard does not adequately reflect.

Prior to the start of the match, the club paid tribute to our late past President (and past County President) Alan Lockey who very sadly passed away last week. He was passionate about ‘all things Percy Park’ and was not only a great servant of the club but also a true gentleman. We send our sincere condolences to Alan’s family and friends. 

Park were forced into several changes in the backline with Ash Smith moving to full back in place of the injured Jamie Wrigley, Toby Davison replacing the unavailable Ross Young on the left wing and Ollie Bartles-Smith coming into the centre. In the fortwards, there was a welcome return for James Black and on the replacements bench, a bomb squad of a front row!

Under overcast skies, but thankfully dry with very little breeze, Park kicked off forcing an early scrum that produced a surging run along the right hand touchline by centre Paul Spowart but that was as good as it got for the home side for the next 30 minutes. Upper Eden had a stranglehold on possession in the first 10 minutes of the game but were unable to breach the Park defence with both Jake Smith and Ash Smith having to deal smartly with grubber kicks by the Upper Eden half backs. On 7 minutes the dam finally broke when Oli Bartles-Smith was penalised for a high tackle midway in the Park half and stand off Oliver Bennett kicked the goal from the left of the posts giving the visitors a deserved lead (0-3).

From the kick-off Park briefly threatened but indiscipline handed the initiative back to the Cumbrian side. Park were trying to get a foot hold into the game but mistakes (knock-on; ball kicked straight into touch) were hampering their efforts and as the first quarter ended, Upper Eden had two great chances to score following an excellent break by scrum half Oliver Rose from a lineout just inside the Park half. His inside pass to flanker Josh Winder was only stopped by a desperate tackle from Fergus Simpson but as the ball was eventually recycled right with the Park defence already committed No 8 Andrew Major was unable to hang on to the scoring pass with the try line at his mercy. Park were unable to escape as a result with Upper Eden applying sustained pressure and only excellent defence, with one huge tackle from James Black, keeping them out. However, on 22 minutes Park were penalised for obstruction in their 22 and up stepped Bennett to kick the points, again to the left of the Park posts (0-6). Despite the scoreline, there was a moment of lighthearted relief for the home support as replacement Matt Atkinson attempted to retrieve two balls that were trapped in a rather large tree… comedy gold!

Upper Eden again applied pressure from the kick off but were unable to cross the whitewash thanks to some outstanding defence by the homeside. Wave after wave of Upper Eden attacks were repulsed by a Park defence which refused to yield. After half an hour, Park managed to lift the siege courtesy of several Upper Eden infringements and for the first time in the match were able to put some meaningful phases together and test the visitors defence. After the Upper Eden hooker was penalised for taking too long to throw in at a lineout near halfway, Park gained possession and momentum. As play shifted to the left hand corner, several Park drives were repulsed before second row Josh Hedley was driven over on 36 minutes. Centre Paul Spowart was unable to convert with a very difficult kick from the left hand touch line (5-6). 

The score appeared to galvanise Park who were almost immediately on the attack from the kick off. Captain Howard Stock made ground on the right touchline and when he was tackled the ball was taken on by James Black before being moved left. Brilliant interplay between wing Toby Davison and hooker Jonny Dubois on the left touchline had the latter in for the try of the match to the left of the Upper Eden posts which was converted by Spowart on 39 minutes (12-6). There was no further play as the half ended and as it did so, Upper Eden must have wondered just how they found themselves behind on the scoreboard after dominating most of the match thus far.

HT: Percy Park 12 Upper Eden 6

Park began the second half as they ended the first, on the front foot. Fergus Simpson returned the Upper Eden kick off with interest and as he was tackled over halfway, the Park three quarters were able to take the ball on after, eventually, Ash Smith made ground. Howard Stock was stopped inches short of the visitors line. The ball was moved left and Park’s pressure forced the penalty after an Upper Eden forward was penalised for offside. Park kicked to touch and a classic catch and drive saw No 8 Leo Caulfield touch down in the left hand corner on 42 minutes with Paul Spowart kicking an excellent conversion from wide out (19-6).

The next 10 minutes saw our visitors lay siege in the Park 22 but outstanding defence denied them whether driving through their forwards or putting the ball wide. Time and again the Cumbrians were stopped on the gain line and as a consequence they never seriously threatened the Park line despite the pressure. Park gathered after an Upper Eden knock on and began to work their way upfield. A kick ahead was fielded by the Upper Eden fullback who made a poor clearance kick. It was gathered, taken on by second row Josh Hedley who drove into the Upper Eden 22 where the ball was moved at pace to the right. Captain Howard Stock was again held up on the line but as the ball was moved quickly left there was prop Sam Digman to crash over to the right of the posts for another good try and the bonus point on 52 minutes. It was unconverted by Spowart (24-6). 

The game was then largely played in midfield for the next 10 minutes with both sides struggling to put together any meaningful phases and mistakes and indiscipline littering play. Park began to assert pressure territorially and after 62 minutes were awarded a penalty only for the decision to be reversed by referee Dave Charlton after stupidity by Park scrum half Andrew Walker who shortly after was given a stern warning to behave. This seemed to again galvanise the home side who began to exert sustained pressure in the Upper Eden 22. In a short space of time, Park were held up twice on the Upper Eden try line and on 77 minutes, Park splintered the visitors pack at a scrum but as they rumbled over the line control of the ball was lost and it was knocked on. The last few minutes saw our visitors playing in the Park 22 but unable to trouble the scoreboard with, once again, excellent defence denying Upper Eden any real try scoring opportunities. 

FT: Percy Park 24 Upper Eden 6

After the game, Captain Howard Stock was his always honest self in his assessment: “We didn't play as well as we can but full credit to Upper Eden, they made it very difficult, particularly in the first half. The second half was better where we were more of a threat as we had more possession but we came out of the game with a bonus point win so job done”.

Defensively, Park were excellent and they needed to be, particularly in the first half, against a very dogged and resilient Upper Eden. James Black played well on his return to the side and Paul Spowart and Ash Smith had their moments in both attack and defence in the back line. For Upper Eden, both half backs excelled and with 3 home games coming up in quick succession, they will surely pick up points if they play as they did against Park. We thank them for a good, hard game played in a great spirit and we wish them every success for the remainder of the season. Our thanks too to our referee Dave Charlton without whom, there is no game.    

Park now have an eight point cushion at the top of Regional 2 North but face two successive tough games on the road, next Saturday at Morpeth and our rearranged game at Aspatria on 20 January, both games kicking off at 2pm. All support would be welcome.

Our Panthers side also sit proudly at the summit of NC 3 North (North) having beaten Consett away 24-38 on Sunday. The ladies next face Gateshead on Sunday, 21 January at Preston Avenue where, of course, all support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Ash Smith; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Toby Davison; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jake Smith; 6 James Black; 5 Josh Hedley; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Tristan Grant.

Replacements: Aaron Smith; Matt Atkinson; Dan Shuttleworth

Alan Lockey

In wishing you all a Happy New Year that sentiment is tinged with great sadness with the news that Percy Park stalwart Alan Lockey passed away on Saturday 30^th December 2023. Alan will be greatly missed. As a former Percy Park President and Past President of Northumberland Rugby Union he was fiercely passionate 'of all things Percy Park' and the game of rugby union. A gregarious and hospitable man, Alan epitomised all that was great in our sport. Our best wishes remain with Alan’s wife Judy and family

To all that have made contact with Percy Park please be assured that we will pass on your thoughts and condolences to Alan’s family and will let you know of any funeral arrangements and wishes in the days to come.

PARK AT THE DOUBLE IN FESTIVE TRY FEST

Tuesday 26 December 2023

Whitley Bay Rockcliff 17 Percy Park 71

Festive Friendly

(HT: 10-31)

Percy Park prevailed in our annual festive fixture against our great rivals (and close friends) Whitley Bay Rockcliff on what was a very special Boxing Day at Lovaine Avenue. It was a day to remember and celebrate the life of our late, great past President and stalwart of both clubs, the legend that was Albi Duhrin. The inaugural Albi Duhrin Cup, to be played for annually by our respective Colts sides as a curtain raiser to the senior fixture, was won in a very entertaining game 22-31 by Percy Park Colts (5 tries to 3) and the trophy was presented to the winning Captain James Midgley by Albi’s son Dan. The trophy will ensure that Albi will always be a part of both clubs, ensuring a legacy that champions youth rugby, something that was always extremely close to his heart. Our grateful thanks go to both club Presidents, Scott Carruthers and our own Keith Atkinson, for their work in inaugurating the trophy and the fixture and long may it continue.

After the Rockcliff victory at Preston Avenue 12 months ago, there was a steely determination (revenge is not a word to use to old friends!) to win back the Moore Cup this time around and Park were at full strength (with a replacement’s bench to match) for the game against our DN1 opposition. Conditions on a cold Boxing Day afternoon were perfect, dry with a low sun and a slight breeze that began to strengthen as the game progressed.

Park kicked off toward the clubhouse with the breeze at their backs but it was Rockliff who started the better side, putting Park under immediate pressure. With only 2 minutes on the clock, Park strayed offside at a breakdown on their 22 and referee Paul Minto immediately awarded the home side a penalty. Rockliff outside half Michael Hanson kicked for goal but as his kick drifted just to the right of the posts, Park were unable to deal with the ball  which was somehow regathered by the home side. It was moved quickly to the right for left wing Kohki Nakajima to touch down wide out. The try was converted by Hansen for a great start by the Hillheads side (7-0)

The response by the Regional 2 North side was immediate; from the kick off, left wing Ross Young gathered and his pass inside found second row Chris Reekie who crashed over on 5 minutes. Centre Paul Spowart was unable to convert (7-5). Six minutes later, Park took the lead which they were never to relinquish. A scrum on the Rockliff 10 metre line had the home eight concede a penalty which eventually led to a 5 metre lineout in the right hand corner. A classic catch and drive saw flanker Jonny Dubois score which was converted by Spowart from wide out (7-12). After 14 minutes, Rockliff were awarded a penalty on the right of the visitors 22 after a Park infringement which was duly dispatched by Hansen ending a tight first quarter (10-12).

The game was getting feisty, with just about an acceptable amount of ‘needle’, as the visiting pack began to dominate but several promising positions were lost due to indiscipline. Chris Reekie was making his presence felt up front and Ross Young was making metres out wide. On 26 minutes, the Rockliff dam was breached; Paul Spowart took a loose pass, Matt Atkinson made ground and as the ball went left second row Josh Hedley was able to give the scoring pass to prop Aaron Smith who powered over to the left of the posts. Spowart converted (10-19). Three minutes later, Park scored their fourth try; Ross Young at speed along the left touchline with an inside pass to flying fullback Jamie Wrigley who sidestepped two attempted tackles to score to the left of the posts for an excellent try which was converted by Paul Spowart (10-26).

On 33 minutes Park scored again; Wrigley gained possession and set off along the left touchline. He was unable to get his pass away to wing Ross Young on his left before being tackled. The ball was quickly recycled right where Jonny Dubois was able to evade two would-be tackles to score wideout on the right. The try was unconverted (10-31). As the first half drew to a close, there was no further scoring.

HT: Whitley Bay Rockcliff 10 Percy Park 31

Rockcliff started the second half brightly but despite some possession and field position they were unable to put points on the board and it was Park who struck first; the ball was recycled several times in the Rockcliff 22 before replacement Toby Davison saw a gap and scampered over to the left of the posts, the try being converted by Spowart (10-38). Rockclff were struggling for any meaningful possession with the Park forwards dominant and that dominance was more than evident on 52 minutes when they scored a pushover try, No 8  Leo Caulfield getting the score wideout on the left. The try was unconverted (10-43).

Rockcliff may have been living off of scraps possession wise but when they could retain the ball they showed what a good side they are. On 56 minutes they forced an attacking lineout on the Park 22. As the ball came infield, Hansen set off on a scorching run to deliver an inside pass to wing Nakajima who ran a superb line to score an exhilarating try which Hansen was able to convert (17-43).

Park responded almost immediately; sustained pressure in the Rockcliff 22 saw Caulfield score his second try on the hour 10 metres infield on the right which was converted by Paul Spowart (17-50). With Rockcliff unable to get a foothold in the game it was only a matter of time before the visitors scored again which they did on 73 minutes, stand off Fergus Simpson, who had switched to scrum half, receiving an excellent Kieran Sutherland off load to score wideout on the right, a try converted by Spowart (17-57). Replacement Sam McDonald had played very well on the left wing with some nice touches and strong tackling and he reaped his reward when he received a long pass from second row Josh Hedley that left him in acres of space and he scorched over by the posts on 76 minutes for Spowart to convert (17-64). As the clock ticked down to the end of the match there was still time for replacement Sam Digman to add a final try, again following sustained pressure in the Rockcliff 22. A final Spowart conversion completed a comprehensive victory (17-71).   

Despite the scoreline, this was an excellent game played in front of a packed Hillheads which shows that there is still an appetite for this traditional fixture despite the demands of league rugby and again, long may it continue. Both Chris Reekie and Jonny Dubois had good games up front for Park, Ross Young and Jamie Wrigley were full of running in the back line and Fergus Simpson excelled both as stand off in the first half and as scrum half in the second. All of the replacements came on; Sam McDonald shows huge promise and it was great to see Kieren Sutherland back in the first team. For Rockcliff, stand off Michael Hansen excelled, as did wing Kohki Nakajima with No 8 Phil Ballantyne playing well in a struggling pack.

A huge thank you to Scott and all at Rockcliff for their hospitality and for making the day so special; there is a strong bond between the clubs as was evident in the clubhouse and around the ground (some of the banter was excellent!) and we look forward to reciprocating in 12 months time. Our grateful thanks also to the players from both sides who willingly give up part of their festive break to play and make all of this possible and to referees Paul Minto and Jock Gill, without whom there are no games. We wish Rockcliff every success for the remainder of the season.

We resume our Regional 2 North league campaign on 6 January when we host Cumbrian side Upper Eden RUFC at Preston Avenue, KO at 2 pm.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker, 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jake Smith; 6 Jonny Dubois; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements: Marc Cook; Tristan Grant; Sam Digman; Mikey Fisher; Toby Davison; Kieren Sutherland; Sam McDonald