Saturday 21 March 2026

Percy Park 19 Morpeth 36

Regional 2 North

(HT: 14-17)

For the second successive match, Park suffered a comprehensive defeat, this time to play-off chasing Morpeth and, although Park led early in the second half, the remainder of the game was a catastrophe for the home side with three last quarter tries giving the visitors the bonus point victory. It was a difficult day at the office with defensive lapses contributing to a lacklustre performance and although injury and unavailability are problematic, they cannot be used as an excuse.

There were wholesale changes to the side heavily defeated at Keswick two weeks ago. In the backline, only Dan Jackson and Freddie Hara survived, Ross Stewart, Oli Bartles-Smith and Matt Dunn replaced by Tom Bird, Howard Stock and Paul Spowart respectively while at half back, George Chapman moved from scrum half to standoff in place of Fergus Simpson with Jacob German coming in to the number nine slot. In the forwards, Mark Barry replaced the very versatile Spowart in the back row, Josh Hedley returned to partner Chris Reekie in the second row with Dan Shuttleworth replacing Jonny Dubois at Hooker and Tristan Grant coming in for Nick Macklin-Copeland in the front row, Macklin-Copeland joined Josh Cox and Tom Robinson on the replacements bench.

On a bright sunny, albeit chilly, day Morpeth kicked off but it was Park, moving the ball wide, who had much the better of the early , with prop Sam Digman prominent, and they quickly opened the scoring after four minutes. A lineout in the visiting 22 gave the Park forwards the momentum to almost reach the Morpeth line before quick hands right had captain Howard Stock scoring under the posts, standoff George Chapman converting (7-0).

It did not take long for Morpeth to respond. Park gained possession from the restart but were pinned back in their own 22 eventually conceding a defensive lineout. A poor clearance kick was fielded easily on the home 10 metre line and a mazy run by visiting fullback Jake Stevenson who sidestepped three defenders gave wing Harry Hoggan the space to score just to the right of the posts on twelve minutes, standoff Harvey Gillie converting (7-7).

The Morpeth backline were proving elusive, their strong running causing defensive problems for the home side. On twenty-two minutes, Morpeth took the lead with a penalty from the halfway line converted with an excellent kick from Gillie, the visitors unable to use the referee’s advantage after a high tackle in midfield (7-10). Park began to build pressure, keeping possession and a good break from Chapman eventually allowed the Park forwards to batter the visiting line and after Tristan Grant was stopped inches from the line the ball was recycled for second row Chris Reekie to crash over under the posts, Chapman converting on twenty-eight minutes (14-10).

The remainder of the half was full blooded, both captains warned by referee Ross for the number of high tackles, with Morpeth now gaining the upper hand in terms of possession and territory. From a ruck on halfway, visiting standoff Harvey Gillie chipped the ball over the onrushing defence, and although he could not regather he hacked on past the last two defenders for wing Harry Hoggan to score his second try on thirty-four minutes, Gillie converting (14-17). There was no further scoring before the break.

HT: Percy Park 14 Morpeth 17

It was the home side who dominated the opening minutes of the second half in terms of both possession and territory and on forty-four minutes they were rewarded when second row Josh Hedley crashed over in the left corner. From a lineout on the visiting 22, the ball was moved right to the touchline before being moved back left. Chris Reekie provided the dent in the defensive line and when the ball was moved left again a long pass from skipper Howard Stock found Hedley who was unstoppable from a few metres out. The difficult conversion was missed (19-17). With the home lead restored and Park dominating the opening few minutes of the half, few people in the ground would have guessed the implosion to come in the last twenty minutes.

Indeed, for the remainder of the third quarter, Park keeping the visitors pinned back in their own half and looking the more likely to score but when, after fifty-five minutes, Chris Reekie received a yellow card for a high tackle, the dynamic of the game began to shift, Morpeth gaining a measure of control with the extra man advantage. The home side began to lose their discipline and when they were penalised again, seven or eight metres out on the right touchline, a quick tap and go had Park scrambling in defence which was finally breached when hooker Ryan Shaw was able to exploit a gap and crash over on sixty-two minutes, the conversion missed (19-22).

Morpeth struck ten minutes later to put the match beyond Park. From a ruck on halfway, replacement Joe Prescott scythed through the Park defence as if it did not exist to score under the posts, Gillie converting (19-29). The coup de gras came in the seventy-seventh minute when a kick ahead was not dealt with, the ball went loose for wing Harry Hoggan to score his third try of the day. Gillie converted to complete a comprehensive victory (19-36).

FT: Percy Park 19 Morpeth 36

The body language of the home players said it all as they left the field of play, the disappointment evident. Standoff George Chapman offered his thoughts post-match: “Hard to put a finger on it. Things changed after the yellow card but in truth, we were struggling before that. Our backs didn’t seem to connect, more individuals than a team, and I think it showed. That said, Morpeth were the better team and we have to accept that. We have to play better in our last two games if we want to make it to the play-offs”.

Park remain in third place on fifty-nine points despite heavy defeats in the past two games, though that is on points difference, as Keswick and Sunderland are also on fifty-nine points. Morpeth close the gap with this victory, just three points behind with all teams having just two games left to play.

Our thanks to Morpeth for a hard-fought game and we congratulate them on the victory and wish them well for the rest of the season. Our thanks also to our match referee. Elsewhere, the Lions defeated Morpeth 41-24 and the Panthers lost to league leaders Rockcliff 45-12 at Hillheads on Sunday.

Next Saturday, the 1^st XV visit Consett, KO 2pm in their penultimate game of the league season with the teams meeting at 2^nd XV level at Preston Avenue, KO 2pm. On Sunday, our unbeaten Colts travel to Barnard Castle, KO 1pm.

Percy Park: 15 Dan Jackson; 14 Tom Bird; 13 Howard Stock ©; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Freddie Hara; 10 George Chapman; 9 Jacob German; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Mark Barry; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Nick Macklin-Copeland; Josh Cox; Tom Robinson

Saturday 7 March 2026

Keswick 51 Percy Park 20

Regonal 2 North

(HT: 27-6)

Apologies for the short match report, the usual scribe was in Rome watching another awful England performance and the substitute, our esteemed former President Keith Atkinson, forgot his pen!

And talking of awful, Park produced one of their worst performances of the season, conceding eight tries at Keswick in a heavy defeat that allowed the hosts to narrow the gap to the third placed visitors to just one point in the Regional 2 North Table.

Things appeared to be going well in the early minutes of the match, Park kicking two penalties courtesy of George Chapman to build a six point lead. but the rest of the half belonged exclusively to Keswick who ran in four tries to establish a commanding 27-6 lead at the break.

They scored again early in the second half before Chapman went over for the visitors for their first try, which he converted (32-13). Park conceded two tries before a late consolation score from Fergus Simpson, converted by Chapman. Keswick still had time to score one final try to cap an excellent win 51-20.

Park were outclassed on the day, too many missed tackles and some inexperience in the side not helping.

Percy Park: 15 Nick Maclin-Cooper; 14 Ross Stewart; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Matt Dunn; 11 Freddie Harra; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French;  7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Fraser MacGlashan; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Sam Digman (c); 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Nick Macklin-Cooper

Replacements: Tristan Grant; Jake Bell; George Bogg   

Saturday 28 February 2026

Percy Park 33 Aspatria 13

Regional 2 North

(HT: 19-8)

Aspatria were the visitors to Preston Avenue last Saturday and in a hard fought and at times feisty game, Park earned a bonus point win to cement their position in third in the Regional 2 North league table, comfortably within the play off places. The home side built a sixteen-point lead with three tries within the first half hour and looked on course for a very big win but, after the bonus point try early in the second period, the game became littered with mistakes with the penalty count against the home side mounting, with only a last-minute try adding lustre to the final score.

After the narrow victory at Upper Eden last weekend there were the inevitable changes to the team through injury and unavailability. In the backline the versatile Jacob German moved from scrumhalf to fullback, Monty Snary dropping to the replacements bench. Fergus Simpson returned to the midfield to replace Will Ponton who moved to standoff. George Chapman moved from standoff to scrumhalf. In the forwards, Sam Digman returned to the front row to replace the injured Dan Shuttleworth, Chris Reekie replaced Sean Nairn in the second row and Matthew French returned in the back row to replace Joey Cassidy. Mark Barry and Seth Henderson joined Snary on the replacements bench.

On a dry (until the final whistle), slightly overcast day with very little wind, Aspatria kicked off and within two minutes had earned a penalty when Park strayed offside just inside their 22, visiting standoff Jack Clegg kicking the straight forward goal (0-3). It did not take long for Park to respond, A devastating burst to the Aspatria line, Chris Reekie to the fore, had the ball recycled quickly and moved at speed right for skipper Howard Stock to go over in the corner on seven minutes, Aspatria running out of defenders. Scrumhalf George Chapman missed the difficult conversion (5-3).

Park nearly scored again straight from the restart, second row Josh Hedley beginning a stunning move that had Stock just unable to hold the final pass from fullback Jacob German. It would have been one of the tries of the season. As the opening quarter ended, the home side were playing some great running rugby but unnecessary infringements were halting progress, the penalty count rising. In addition, the home lineout was simply not functioning effectively, an attacking lineout butchered as the throw to the back simply finding a visiting player in space. However, Park extended their lead when, from a scrum inside the visiting 22, the excellent Matthew French stormed to the line and when stopped, the ball was quickly into the hands of big Josh Hedley who crashed over on twenty-three minutes, Chapman converting (12-3).

Aspatria were struggling to get into the game, the destructive tackling of the home back row, Paul Spowart to the fore, stopping any meaningful phases. On twenty-seven minutes Park scored again. A fantastic break from German from the visiting 10 metre line had him selflessly pass outside him to Oli Bartles-Smith who went over unopposed to the right of the posts, Chapman kicking the conversion (19-3).

A high tackle in midfield had Park kicking into the 22 where they were able to eventually maul almost to the line. Illegally brought down, Park kicked to the corner but the resultant lineout again malfunctioned, Aspatria winning it and clearing their lines. As the first half came to a close, Aspatria at last gained an attacking platform with a scrum on the home 22. They moved the ball right and gained ground along the right touchline. As the ball moved infield, standoff Clegg was able to wriggle out of a tackle and jink to the line for a fine try on thirty-seven minutes which he was unable to convert (19-8). Park were able to mount one last attack before the halftime whistle, a fine Leo Caulfield break and a Will Ponton kick ahead just seeing the ball roll dead.

HT: Percy Park 19 Aspatria 8

Park kicked off the second half, and within the first minute further extended their lead. An attempted cross field 50/22 kick failed to find touch, the alert Freddie Harra managed to hack on with Aspatria scrambling defence unable to control the ball and there was Paul Spowart to pick up and dive over for the bonus point try. Chapman kicked an excellent conversion (26-8).

The next twenty minutes saw the game sink into mediocrity, with penalties stopping Park gaining any meaningful momentum. The game was beginning to get somewhat feisty, with referee Louis Dinsdale at one point marching the visitors back ten yards after an infringement was disputed on halfway.

As the final quarter began, Aspatria were starting to dominate possession and territory and they scored their second try after sixty-one minutes. After a long period of pressure in and around midfield, Aspatria gained a lineout on the right touchline just outside the home 22. The ball was moved infield and the visitors eventually created just enough space on the left touchline for left wing Dan Weir to canter over, Clegg failing with the conversion (26-13).

Park were forced to defend really well as Aspatria sensed that there was an opportunity to bring the game to within one score but it was the home side who had the final word a minute from full time. After Aspatria lost the ball around the home 10 metre line, Park worked it to halfway. When the ball was moved left, Freddie Harra went around his opposite number and raced to the 22 metre line, with the ball being moved at speed right for skipper Howard Stock to make ground before delivering the perfect offload to the supporting Leo Caulfield who sprinted over. George Chapman converted in the final act of the game (33-13).

FT: Percy Park 33 Aspatria 13

The win keeps Park third in the league table, six points ahead of Keswick and Sunderland but ten points adrift of second place Consett. Aspatria slip to second bottom after Durham City defeated Morpeth 42-17. Their performance was far better than their league position would indicate, with centre Sam Royale playing superbly. We wish them well for the remainder of the season and thank them for a hard-fought game. We also thank referee Louis Dinsdale without whom there is no game. For Park, the back row of Caulfield, Spowart and French were excellent and in the backs, Jacob German showed what an excellent player he is.

Elsewhere, the Lions ran out 41-43 winners at Jarrovians in what was a great game at Lukes Lane. Our previously unbeaten Colts were due to play at Sunderland/Westoe yesterday but I do not have a score at this time of posting.

Next weekend, the 1^st XV travel to Keswick for a league encounter, KO 2pm with the Lions scheduled to travel to Ashington though please check club social media platforms for confirmation. The ladies travel to Jarrovians on Sunday, KO 2pm with the Colts enjoying a rest weekend.

Percy Park: 15 Jacob German; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Freddie Harra; 10 Will Ponton; 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French; 7 Paul Spowart; 6 Leo Caulfield; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Nick Macklin-Copeland;

Replacements: Mark Basrry; Seth Henderson; Monty Snary

Saturday 21 February 2026

Upper Eden 27 Percy Park 28

Regional 2 North

(HT: 17-12)

In a game where the visitors squandered an early seven point lead, Upper Eden conceded ten points in the last quarter of an increasingly fractious game, Park stealing the win with the last kick of the game to cement their third place position in the league table. When Upper Eden ran onto the field of play in their traditional black and white hoops a former Park President (who obviously did not go to Specsavers) was heard to repeatedly shout “Come on Park” to the rather puzzled home side. As the Park players ran out in their changed red strip, the fact was gently pointed out to him… It was going to be a long afternoon!

With the game being hastily rearranged after last weekend’s postponement, there were bound to be changes to the Park side that last took the field against Sunderland three weeks ago. Monty Snary came in as fullback in place of Will Ponton who moved to inside centre. At half back, George Chapman moved from scrumhalf to standoff in place of the unavailable Fergus Simpson with Jacob German coming in at nine. In the forwards, in came Joe Ford at hooker replacing Jonny Dubois, with Nick Macklin-Copeland replacing Sam Digman at prop. Sean Nairn replaced Mark Barry in the second row with, in the back row, Leo Caulfield moving to No 8 to replace Matthew French and Paul Spowart and the ever reliable Joey Cassidy coming in on the flanks.

On a dull afternoon with rain in the air, Park were immediately under pressure, an excellent 50/22 kick from home standoff Neldus Kruger creating the initial problem with the visitors compounding it by indiscipline. However, excellent Park defence early on kept the home side at bay. But after seven minutes, Park showed what they were about when an excellent attack along the right touchline orchestrated by captain Howard Stock led to a final pass that No 8 Leo Caulfoeld was just unable to hold that would have opened the scoring.

The first quarter was littered with mistakes, Park on a couple of occasions turning the ball over only to immediately give away penalties to hand back the initiative. On eighteen minutes, another excellent 50/22 kick from Kruger allowed Upper Eden the lineout in the right corner and the catch and drive had No 8 Will Birbeck touching down. Kruger missed the difficult conversion (5-0). Park were able to hit back immediately, a home knock-on from the restart giving the visitors a scrum in the middle of the Upper Eden half. The ball was moved quickly right with skipper Howard Stock stopped on the tryline only for the ball to be moved infield for No 8 Leo Caulfield to go over on twenty-one minutes. Standoff George Chapman converted (5-7).

Park struck again six minutes later after Upper Eden were caught offside in midfield, the resulting penalty kick going into the left corner. From the lineout excellent hands had the ball moved right at speed for Stock to go over in the right corner, Chapman failing to convert (5-12). The home side dominated the final ten minutes of the half, scoring twice. On thirty-four minutes, a break in midfield from home scrumhalf Sam Edgar led to a try in the left corner by wing Matthew Brass, the conversion attempt unsuccessful (10-12). With two minutes of the half remaining, Park butchered an attacking lineout in the left corner after Upper Eden had been penalised for crossing. A length of the field move from the home side had replacement Matt Sanderson scoring under the posts for Kruger to convert (17-12).

HT: Upper Eden 17 Percy Park 12

It took only three minutes of the second half for Park to reduce the deficit, a deliberate trip penalised with Chapman kicking the penalty from just inside the home 22 (17-15). However, after forty-seven minutes, a superb break from Upper Eden fullback Dan Todd through the Park midfield had centre Josh Alderson scoring, Kruger missing the conversion (22-15).

The visitors began dominating the game, kicking well to pin the home side in their 22, but hard fought possession kept being turned over cheaply. A little bit of niggle was creeping into the game and when the referee saw a Park player being held on the floor inside the home 22 it resulted in a home yellow card (one of five given during the game) and Chapman kicking the resulting penalty on fifty-four minutes (22-18).

This seemed to spur on the home side who scored their bonus point try on fifty-eight minutes. Replacement Ethan Clarke was penalised after infringing in a desperate few minutes of defence, a pick and go seeing No 8 Will Birbeck going over for his second try but, crucially as it turned out, Kruger missed the conversion (27-18).

Park were able to reduce the deficit straight from the restart. The ball was worked well along the left touchline. When the move broke down, the ball was recycled infield to fullback Monty Snary who, after a sidestep completely wrong footed the home defence, was able to score just to the right of the posts on sixty-two minutes, Chapman converting to set up a grandstand finish (27-25).

The last quarter was niggly, frequent penalties and yellow cards littering the game. Park had the territory, without being able to fashion the decisive break through. As the game entered the final few minutes, Park were awarded several penalties with white wash fever prevailing, bodies piling up on the home try line. Finally, common sense prevailed after yet another penalty award and, with the last kick of the game, Chapman coolly kicked the penalty from the left side to give Park the victory (27-28).

FT: Upper Eden 27 Percy Park 28

A tight game, marred at times by more niggle than was necessary, with Park showing some real character to take the win at the death. Captain Howard Stock was a relieved man post-match: “I’m just grateful that we were calm enough to take the points at the end, it was a bit frantic out there! It was a shame that we could not quite get the bonus point but the win keeps us in the play-off places. Proud of the lads for the effort, it was a tough afternoon”.

It was a real team effort with everyone contributing to the win. Upper Eden gained two bonus points in defeat and we thank them for a hard game and for their hospitality. Park remain in third place in the league, our hosts also remaining in eighth place.

Elsewhere, the Lions game at Gateshead was postponed but on Sunday, the Panthers fell to a home defeat to Gateshead 19-26 while our Colts marched on, defeating Northern 31-5 in the County Plate semi-final at Preston Avenue. The final will be played at Ashington RFC against Gosforth on Wednesday 11 March, KO 7 pm.

Next Saturday, the 1^st XV are at home to Aspatria, KO 3pm

Percy Park: 15 Monty Snary; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Will Ponton; 11 Freddie Harra; 10 George Chapman; 9 Jacob German; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Paul Spowart; 6 Joey Cassidy; 5 Sean Nairn; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Nick Macklin Copeland; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Dan Shuttleworth