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Carlisle 25 Percy Park 26

Park Academy won the league title away to Carlisle with a last gasp penalty claiming victory with a game to spare.

Missing Matty Robson through work committments and with a number of players carrying injuries and heavily strapped, Park took to the field knowing a win would clinch the title. Park kicked off and pressured for the first few minutes until a breakaway from Carlisle from what looked suspically like a tackle on a player without the ball lead them to going the length of the field and scoring, converted for 7 - 0 to the home side. Soon afterwards caught in their own 22, Park turned over the ball and found themselves 12 - 0 down in as many minutes.

Waking up Park began playing some good rugby, gaining ground with forward drives and counter attacking through good back three hands until Zac Rutter dropped a goal for 12 - 3. Continuing the pressure forwards drove and drove with Alex Galbraith crashing over for 12 - 8. Carlisle lost possession in the middle of the field and following a number for kick throughs Jack Dents pace beat the defence and the dead ball line for a great touch-down to make it 12 - 13. Carlisle responded with a penalty for offside on the 22 to take the lead again at 15 - 13. Close to the end of the half Matty Atkinson crashed over following good line pressure, converted by Rutter for a half time score of 15 - 20.

The second half ebbed and flowed with both teams producing good and bad rugby - showing niavity in situations following great skill and committment. Carlisle kicked another penalty cancelled out by a snap drop goal by Stevie Irving. Looking to attack Park lost JJ through injury and then lost ground through good Carlisle attacks and penalties. Poor tackling let Carlisle in under the posts with the conversion a formality, Park were now behind at 25 - 23 with time running out. Continued pressure and attack had Carlisle trapped in their 22 until a penalty against Park and a last play being called looked like the change had gone. From the final line-out Josh Hedley stole their ball and from the resulting ruck Carlsile were penalised for a final chance to save the game. Well outside the 22 Zac  Rutter didn't look confident of making the kick but to give the lad his due he composed himself and planted the ball straight between the uprights with plenty of distance to space. Jubilation at the final whislte and well hard fought result to clinch the title against a good Carlisle side.

Final Score Carlisle 25 Percy Park 26

Man of the Match: Jack Dent

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Percy Park Academy 20 Wigton O

Percy Park Academy 15 Alnwick 7

Two more wins keep the Academy side top of the table with three games remaining. Both home games were played "away" at Monkseaton School due to unplayable pitches at Park.

Against Wigton, Park dominated the first half and played some of their best rugby of the season, scoring four tries through John Lee (2), Jonnie Burn and Joe Wilkinson. Scoreless in the second half Wigton responded well and came back strongly but a resolute Park defence held out to keep the visitors pointless. A serious looking ankle injury resulted in one of the Wigton's players spending overnight in hospital. We wish him well in his re-cooperation.

Man of the Match: Cameron Taylor

Playing Alnwick the following weekend, Park struggled to regain the style, class and composure shown the week before but still ground out a win against a big, physical side. Alnwick arrived with no front row cover and inexperience at hooker, and the game soon had to go to uncontested scrums on safety grounds. This seemed to knock Park out of their stride with the game being a stop / start afair. Scotty Taylor crashed over from a quickly taken tap penalty, Jonathan Cairns scored a great flanker's try, converted by Zac Rutter, then a penalty kick just before half time made it 15 - 0 to the hosts. The second half was frustratingly like the Wigton game with the visitors coming back strongly and Park having little chance to score. Missed tackles let Alnwick in for a seven pointer, though Park never looked like losing the contest. A number of under 16's were "blooded" due to injuries and holidays with all doing well.

Man of the Match: Jonathan Cairns

 

 

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Percy Park Academy 19 Northern 14

Park continued their winning streak, maintaining their league title push but were made to fight hard for it from a plucky Northern side. With a number of players out injured, some tactical switches for player development, plus blooding of some under 16's, Park produced a workmanlike performance rather than a spectacular display. The first half started well with Jonnie Burn touching down a clever kick through from Jack Dent, converted by Zac Rutter. Matthew Robson scored another through power and pace, though the conversion went wide. Pick of the tries came from Stevie Irving who's lovely dummy saw him in under the posts from the half way line, again converted by Rutter. At 19-0 it looked like a romp in the park for Park but a combination of mistakes, strange refereeing interpretations and the addition of Gosforth High School / Falcons academy players into the Northern ranks put a hold on this. Strong running centres proved a handful for the Park defence and they stored near the end of the first half to make it 19-7 at half time.

Park struggled to come to terms with the referee calls at scrum time, being told to hold the push even when going backwards! Northern's committment got rewarded with another converted try, while Park lost Murphy to a yellow card for a late tackle on the tryscorer. At 19-14 the game could of gone either way and a fine last man tackle by Scott Taylor saved an almost certain try. Park pushed for the Northern line through line-out drives and forward moves but were somewhat relieved when the final whistle blew.

Not a vintage display but some essential game time for players returning to fitness as well as upcoming under 16's.

Final score Park 19 Northern 14

Man of the Match: Ben Davis

 

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Westoe 0 Percy Park Academy 15

Park travelled over to Westoe short of many forwards due to injuries and unavailability but still prove strong enough to avenge their earlier league home defeat. With scrum-halfs acting as line-out jumpers and flankers and hookers playing second row a much shuffled pack still played some good rugby. On top at scrum time, Park did struggle with line-out ball but shone in the loose producing good quality ball for the backs. Cameron Taylor marshaled the forwards superbly from scrum half while Zac Rutter's tactical kicking and excellent tackling kept Westoe on the back foot. Matthew Atkinson assumed the captaincy duties and capped another impressive performance with the first try, crashing over from close range from a sustained forwards attack. Zack Rutter kicked the conversion for a 0 - 7 scoreline. Cameron Taylor scored an almost carbon copy try soon afterwards though the Westoe players thought they had held him up. The conversion hit the post and came back out making it 0 - 12. Late in the first half a penalty conceded by Westoe on their 22 was kicked by Rutter to make the half time score 0 - 15.

Unfortunately the second half was beset with mistakes by both sides with numerous knock-ons, free kicks and penalties that neither side was able to take advantage of. No further scores were added though Park always looked more dangerous and the most likely to increase their lead. This win keeps Park at the top of the colts league and with a number of players due back from injury soon bodes well for the rest of the season.

Final Score Westoe 0 Percy Park Academy 15

Man of the match: Cameron Taylor

 

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Percy Park Academy 24  Westoe 5

The Tyne Challenge Colts Cup has been resurrected this season after a number of years between Park and Westoe. After losing in the league game earlier this season by one point Park were keen to make amends and win the cup. Park lost their hooker David Owens to the 4th team during the warm up as without a recognised hooker they would have forfeited their cup game, so many thanks to him for stepping up.

  1. Academy goes top after Billingham win
  2. Academy claim County Plate
  3. Percy Park Academy v Blaydon 20th April 2010
  4. Park Academy v Gosforth 18th April 2010