Durham and Northumberland 1

Percy Park RFC 36 v West Hartlepool RFC 23

Controversial end gives Coach Langlands hidrosis

 

 

There was plenty of flow and then a suprising ebb followed by some rule controversy that had many, home and away scratching their heads. The flow delighted with Park exhibiting some blistering pace and deft hands. The ebb proved a concern as the West pack gradually hauled their way back into the game before more flow edged the away team back. All looked well until the final moments, a yellow card brought Percy Park to 14 and controversy!

We all agree that bonus points can make or break a season…the faithful all remember Durham City away…and with West eyeing 2 bonus points right at the end of the contest the Park support acknowledged the need to keep the Hartlepool side out. Without doubt West are a side that will be competitive in this league and Park did not want to give a noted rival two points when zero was on the menu. What happened remains clouded in fog….at 36 to 23 West were pushing hard for the try line …The whistle blew…confusion reigned bodies were on the floor ….Ash Smith took possession of the ball before sprinting along the try area away from the melee to launch the ball straight into touch…. the linesmen put his flag up... can you kick the ball straight out from a drop out behind the posts??...the final whistle blew…followed by polite pandemonium…West were adamant they had been short-changed and denied 2 valuable points…and they let their feelings be known…politely…Percy Park formed the tunnel and with a bemused and relieved look headed straight to Slippys travelling horse box thankful that West hadn’t received a point…Coach Langlands headed for the changing rooms muttering words of anxiety and presenting a very sweaty back and in the saying you now all know what hidrosis means!

 

As Percy Park entered the field there was a notable silence around the Preston Avenue ground. The Park players had a steely resolve about them that must have frightened the crowd....a bit like Vinnie Jones as he grabbed Gazza’s nuts. Whatever it was they flew ‘out of the blocks’ forcing a knock on and with advantage sent wing Kieran Sutherland toward the bottom left corner flag. As he was taken to the floor he offloaded to the supporting Seb Reece to make the score. A difficult kick ensured that the extra points could not be taken. 5-0 to the home side.

Percy Park kept the ball moving and West Hartlepool struggled to contain the lively home side. As they struggled the penalties mounted allowing Percy Park two reasonable shots at goal. Neither were taken with one kick striking a post. Three strikes missed 8 points not taken.

Park stayed with the game plan and remained camped in the visitors half. Good covering defensive work held the marauding home team at bay. West were defending high and Ash Smith took advantage. A little chip and catch by Howard Stock took player and ball behind the posts Kick taken. 12-0.

A well taken penalty on 20 minutes gave West a start but in the build-up lost their strong running 8 to a hamstring injury. The away side started to play the phases keeping the ball in and as a consequence enjoyed long periods of pressure toward the Park line. Percy Park ground it out and managed to break out turning the game back on its head…We had flow then ebb….then flow. It was a good game to watch

12-3 at half time.

The second half started with Percy Park receiving the ball and it took some time before we were able to make some head way. Leo Caulfield was having a stormer of a game and it was he who put the finishing touch to an aggressive flowing move that had the visitors rapidly going backwards. The conversion was missed 17-3.

The West Hartlepool fly half was not having his best day and conceded ground to the home side. An advantage taken when Andy Dunn made a sublime offload to the eager hands of Kiran Sutherland who skipped over from the try. Many were surprised Kieran caught the ball as he appeared to be carrying one or two carpets! Again the conversion was missed, the ball striking the post. Park were shedding points. 22-3.

West made a tactical change at Fly half and reaped the benefit. The ball went to the tight and Park had to battle to gain possession. Percy Park changed the scrum and rotated on Steven Turner at scrum half replacing the impressive Joe Cassidy (just don’t tell his mum as we will never hear the last of it!).

Deservedly West Hartlepool hit their purple patch. An impressive maul saw the visiting hooker peel away to score deep into the corner. A difficult kick was missed. 22-8.

Park had a period where we looked disjointed and then game went to the ebb. Marc Cook received a blow to the head and ended up leaving the field in a bloody bandage. West took advantage notching another try to bring the game into reach at 22-15 followed by a penalty at 22-18. Langlands was prowling the touch line and his hidrosis was starting to drip. We needed inspiration and we needed the ball in hand. When it came it was a delight. A high ball was caught by Andy Dunn and Turner moved it on. Ash Smith took control. The menacing Majorca bound Ross Young created space for the looping Dunn to put Paul Spowart over. Conversion taken. 29-18.

Turner and Sam Digman were off with injuries to be replaced by the returning Joe Cassidy and Mark Barry From a scrum Smith reversed the play setting Captain Seb Reece into the midfield and then it was all about Caulfield. A little show and pace took him away with Cassidy on his shoulder. A delayed pass put Joe Cassidy in acres and he took the space to score under the posts.36-18. A wag in the crowd was heard to speak “that’s it can we reach the ton”…eh....No…a catalogue of errors allowed West back in at 36-23 and we headed down that tunnel of controversy…Fortunately for the home side the final score remained at 36-23.

Representing Percy Park RFC

From 15…Ross Young, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Paul Spowart, Kiran Sutherland, Ash Smith and Joe Cassidy.

From 8…Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Andrew Dunn, Karl Thompson, Sam Digman, Andrew Steinburg, Adam Hay and Marc Cook.

Finishers: Aaron Smith, Mark Barry and Stephen Turner.

 

League Fixture

Berwick Bears RFC 20 v Percy Park Lions 24

LIONS ROAR ON THE BORDER

Percy Park Lions travelled to Berwick with only 16 players and a squad who have never really trained together. Absenteeism through injury and unavailability put the fixture in doubt midweek but we decided that we would travel even if short of 15. 

Our hosts cordially greeted us and informed us they had 25 players and were happy to lend us players if required showing the good spirit which carried on through the game. 

Percy Park's pack started well, debutante Ben Morris coming in at prop ably assisted on the other side of the scrum by the evergreen Mark Jackson. The back row was a destructive unit of Bowart, Clayton and skipper Clyde and they soon started to dominate both set piece and loose.

On 7 minutes a scrum was marched towards the line for Clyde to touch down on 7 minutes, Andrew Walker converted. 7-0 Park. The game settled into a dour struggle, Park were off their feet far too much conceding numerous penalties. Berwick pulled a try back but missed their kick 7-5. On 38 minutes Walker put in a high ball into the Berwick 22, the home defence let the ball bounce which was gratefully received by the lively Danny Simpson who popped inside to Andrew Clyde to cross the line, Walker converted 14-5 at HT. 

Stern words at half time did the trick. The defence was more connected and upright and the two man tackles were employed to good effect, but Berwick were constantly rolling on fresh legs but we were tiring. Then the move of the game… quick ball from the impressive McDine (his dad will be pleased although will it be enough to get him away from luxuriating in his armchair to watch?) to Andrew Walker at 10. The 10, 12 drifted then scissored back to Nathan Coxon at 13 who cut through the Berwick defence, Walker continued his run and took the ball back from Coxon and stepped the last man. Duly converted 21-5. Great try…Home and dry we thought. 

Mark Jackson came off (I think with old age) replaced by Knoxy. Ben Anderson was shown a yellow with 12 minutes to go so the fighting 14 (that is number of players not that our right winger is a fighting 14) got stuck in (note for the discipline officer…not literally).

A speculative kick by Berwick got a lucky bounce and they crossed the line 21-10. Park went straight back and won a penalty 35 yards out , Walker converted to finish the day with 4 out of 4 , 24-10 surely that was it. But back came Berwick throwing everything at us. The Lions were literally out on their feet and Berwick crossed twice in the last 5 minutes and they were rueing their missed kicks. Final score 24-20 to Park ,there were so many big performances it is impossible to single out individuals this was a massive win for a team who continue to impress.

Representing Percy Park RFC

From 15…Dan Jackson, Danny Simpson, Nathan Coxon, Ben Anderson, Cole Stonebanks, Andrew Walker and Darryl McDine.

From 8…Andrew Clyde, Travis Bowart, Alan Clayton, Sam Huttley, Mark Sanderson, Mark Jackson, Alex Lamb and Ben Morris.

Finishers: James Finn.

Regional 2 North

Carlisle RFC 24 v Percy Park RFC 31

"Sublime feet save the day"

As the author of this missive was away ‘In the Fax’ with his little tarantula, preparing for her imminent and joyful return home through retirement, we decided to send two mystery reporters to the game. Blending in with the faithful, in resplendent black and white regalia, our intrepid columnists recorded a mix bag of thoughts on a game that was only passed as playable at 10am. Heavy rain and strong winds had created doubt, although the rain had passed the strong syphers remained in play. Carlisle 'won the toss' and went with the tornado at their backs. The touch judges flag doing their best to head east.

The home side scored after only 5 minutes. A good line broke the Park defence to score under the posts. Conversion 7-0. Carlisle doubled their score 4 minutes later from a catch and drive line out. The conversion was good, 14 – 0 down. Not a good start at all!

In the opening salvos Percy Park had no possession. The home side drove at the visiting side quickly attracting a penalty. They went with the scrum and it was a good call. Park are usually dominant in this area yet Carlisle got the nudge. Pressure from the Carlisle 8 resulted in another penalty and another scrum. Forward pressure generated the try. Percy Park were living dangerously they had not even managed to get out of their own half. Carlisle were dominating the forward exchanges and Percy Park indiscipline resulted in yet another penalty. Certain members of the black and whites began to bicker which did not engender team cohesion. The penalty went to the corner where the home sides colossus at fly half was driven over by the remaining 14 of his team mates for someone to score.

The chat on the bus according was good and our boys seemed up for it having been reminded of our Huddersfield YMCA nightmare. However the pessimists amongst the faithful could see it written in the runes; beat league leaders one week and lose the next game to a side that hasn’t won all season! We needed a response and fortunately we got it.

Meaningful possession attracted two penalties in quick succession and from the resultant lineout Percy Park went along the line with the ball nestling in the hands of a ‘hanging’ Kieran Sutherland’s. Thankfully Kieran hadn’t expended all his strength on a wild night out with his girlfriend, displaying real muscle in breaking several desperate tackles to score to the right of the posts. To all observing it was an excellent finish! The try converted from out wide. 14-7.

The game became a bit disjointed as Park elected to throw the ball around in a 40-mph wind instead of ‘sticking it up the jumper’ and targeting their 10. The insistence on spraying everything wide 'asap' was giving the drift defence an easy day. Their fly half , Jason Israel, was a good player but not very mobile. Mistakes and knock ons littered our play until  25 minutes in we secured a line out deep in the Carlisle 22. This time short passes along the line returned the ball to the impressive Sutherland. Instead of shaking off attempted tackles, sublime footwork (muscle memory from his night in the Toon?) took him past 3 defenders to score in almost the same place as try no 1. Try converted 14-14.

Percy Park could not kick-on from the equalizing score and after a period of very scrappy play Carlisle, with a bit of go forward play, scored following a kick through and a race to the try line (although to some of the ‘faithful’ there appeared to be a hint of a knock-on in the build-up). Centre Nathan Greenhow being awarded the try.

With half time approaching poor play from ‘the black and whites’, and indiscipline, led to a Carlisle penalty A line out taken on the 5m line. We were grateful that the Carlisle throw was 'overthrown' and the ball  eventually cleared.

At the turn the Percy Park bench decided to shake things up. Playing with the wind the travelling faithful were hoping for better things.

After only a minute in, we were awarded a scrum as the kick off failed to go 10. Park attacked and the ball found Howard Stock on the right wing who beat his man and raced away. The player could have scored easily in the corner but chose to step inside, showing great feet (another one who had been out dancing) to beat another 2 defenders to score under the posts. A fantastic individual try. The score converted by Paul Spowart. 19 -21.

With the wind at their backs Percy Park began to find some rhythm and Carlisle struggled. It was obvious to all that the conditions were telling and effecting performance. A Paul Spowart penalty extended the lead.

Josh Hedley was having an influence. A very aggressive hit had a Carlisle player rocking and insured Park were on the front foot.

After a very poor start to the second half, the Carlisle 8 started to put the pressure on. A Percy Park defensive scrum in the 22 was lost against the head with a resulting Carlisle penalty being put into the corner. A messy lineout resulted in a Carlisle 5m attacking scrum but excellent defence saw Percy Park turn the ball over and clear their lines.

The game became fairly even. Carlisle were confident in the scrummage electing to go for scrum penalties instead of kicking points Percy Parks penalty count was concerning. Although we were putting some phases together ill-discipline at the breakdown was proving costly.

On 65 minutes the ‘faithful’ were on their feet believing Park had scored a bonus point try. A penalty into the corner with an excellent take at the lineout had Percy Park driving over only for the Carlisle tighthead to come away with the ball!

That defensive effort seemed to give Carlisle extra energy and for the next 10 minutes they played the game in our half, in and around our 22, but they lacked any real incisive play. When it did look as if they were in a dangerous position they twice gave away penalties enabling the away side to clear their lines.

The game ebbed and flowed until Paul Spowart put Captain Seb Reece over the line with a kick through and chase. Seb getting the touch down in a pile up over the line. Conversion taken.19 -31. Five minutes to go.

We conceded a number of penalties. Carlisle kicked to touch and advanced to our 5-metre line. Josh Hedley nicked the line out and we kicked to relieve the pressure. Another chip and chase this time by Carlisle saw them score on 80 minutes. The conversion missed. Final score 24 – 31.

An unconvincing performance where nobody stood out. Percy Park probably thought that all they had to do was turn up and a bonus point win was guaranteed but Carlisle (without a win this season) ripped into them and were quickly 14-0 to the good! Overall, the Carlisle pack gave a really good account of themselves and Park had to work hard to contain them. A lot of our play in the backs seemed to have no structure with handling errors and ill-discipline hindering any effective play. On the plus side, a BP win with our two wings taking their tries superbly well and worth the admission price alone!

Representing Percy Park RFC:

From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Niall Combe, Chris Reekie, Michael Langlands, Matty Atkinson, Jonny Dubois and Aaron Smith

From 15: Jamie Wrigley, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Andrew Walker, Kieran Sutherland, Paul Spowart and Joe Cassidy.

Finishers: Dan Shuttleworth, Tristan Grant and Josh Hedley.

 Durham and Northumberland 1

Ponteland RUFC 17 v Percy Park RFC 73

‘Campeones’

For Percy Park RFC this game was about a point or two; for Ponteland there was a lot of noise around playing the game and the shipping of 70 points. Anxiety flowed for different reasons. Ash Smith and his team needed to secure a point to secure the title from the chasing city boys at Northern RFC and Ponteland, with little to play for, didn’t want ‘an Acklam’ on their final game of the season. The Ponteland management team were letting their anxiety spill over pre and during the game. They should not have worried. Ponteland have some great players coming through and they arrived at the ‘Sports Stadium’ determined that Percy Park would win their trophy on the grass rather than on paper. The first 25 minutes were very competitive making a mockery of any league position. Park were nervous and Ponteland scrapped. It was a good game to watch. And we are thankful that the game was played a ‘walk over’ is not the way to win a league. As the game progressed Percy Park secured the championship point on 30 minutes and although Ponteland did ship over 70 points they showed real character right to the end with some excellent displays from Owen Reed and Elliot Blain.

Percy Park’s first try came on 9 minutes with hooker Adam Hay forcing his way over following a neat ‘catch and drive’ With the score converted Park led by 7 but not for long.

Owen Reed was having a great game at 9 for Ponteland. He was enjoying the big stage and looks to be a really good player. A statement supported by a deft chip and chase that left the pacey Percy Park back line rooted to the spot. Collecting the kick Reed made for the line eventually touching down. Not only did the player score he converted his own try. 7 all.

The game ebbed and flowed until Percy Park’s scrum half Robin Houghton benefitted from an offload from the rushing Jamie Wrigley. Attracting the defence Wrigley played the ball up and into the waiting arms of Houghton. With Ash Smith converting the Park faithful hoped the game would settle and Park would stretch the score line away from the home side.

On 23 minutes the travelling support were silenced when Ponteland secured their second try. A controversial conversion followed with referee Ricky Handa giving the points. Both touch judges disagreed and were adamant that the ball hadn’t gone over. The Ponteland management were on the pitch and to be fair the ball looked as if it had travelled. The decision went to VAR and was over ruled.12-14

Ponteland were in the game at this point despite pre-match anxiety and background noise. It was a real contest and enjoyable to watch. Percy Park needed to settle the nerves and get into their stride. A Jake Smith catch and pass put Matty Atkinson into and through the defensive line to score a good forwards try. With the conversion taken 12 to 21. Percy Park relaxed and Paul Spowart hit the line to score off a quick and fast moving ball. Smith converted. 12 points to 28.

The two scores came quickly and dealt a heavy blow to the home side. The try scoring bonus point meant we had won the league irrespective of result.

The tries kept coming. On the 31 minute mark a good break and pass from Andrew Walker allowed Michael Langlands to score a try on the half time. With the extra two taken care of. Percy Park led at the turn by 12 points to 35.

Ponteland didn’t look like a lower league placed side despite the home support iterating that ‘they had loads missing’. They tackled well. For the record they had 5 players in the squad of 18 who played us in September. With a full and committed squad they should do well next year.

For the first 12 mins of the second half neither side managed a score. Percy Park reverted to a forward move, taking a clean catch at a line out. The drive was powerful and was heading for the try line until a home hand pulled the accelerating maul down. The action ensuring all the combative players ended up in a heap. Watching the referee had no hesitation in going for the whistle and awarding a penalty try.

The Park forwards were showing their dominance and grinding down the opposition. Sam Digman had a bollocking run and Josh Hedley was proving to be a force in the midfield.

A quick penalty tap on the 54 minute mark was initially stopped by the home side until Matty Atkinson pirouetted out of the tackle to score his second of the day. 12-47

On 61 mins another catch and drive try resulted in a second try for Adam Hay. Percy Park were turning the screw. Unfortunately the conversion was marred by a Ponteland coach who verbally demonstrated his anxiety to all who would listen on the subject of the away side reaching 70 points. Once achieved he made his intentions clear he would call the game. Ash Smith zoned out and ignored the background noise as he slotted the conversion. 12-54

Leo Caulfield scored an interception try as Ponteland were encouraged to run everything they touched. Prior the home side had elected to kick for position keeping Percy Park turned. They were doing well until the instruction came. Percy Park are fast and any sniff of a floating ball is snapped up. On this occasion Leo Caulfield was on hand to see the opportunity. Ash Smith converting. 12-61

Best try of the game came when Andrew Walker made a break from inside his own half.

Walker left several players in his wake before ‘chipping a defender’ and retrieving his kick. As the defence ran across, and with another defender to beat, Andrew Walker struck a ‘crossfield kick’ on the move which found the outstretched hands of Robin Houghton loitering on the right wing. Houghton made ground and crossed the line before touching down under the posts. Once more the try was converted. 12-66

Ponteland didn’t give up and their centre Elliot Blain (who had enjoyed a really good run out) scored a very good try out pacing our flat line defence. 17-66

All that remained was for Matty Atkinson to get his third try of the game and buy his eager team mates one or two jugs. As the game approached its end Cameron Young, on at scrum half, did his best to oblige. Taking an active hand in starting the move the prop forward made supporting ground. Cam Young made the offload in the tackle. Atkinson was on the line…all he had to do was catch it….and finish the season with aplomb…

he didn’t…. dropping the ball over the line to the screams and howls from the away support. The derision could be heard in Halifax. The spill being met with much ridicule concerning jug avoidance. Thankfully Ross Young was on hand to spare his team mates blushes ensuring that Percy Park’s last act in the championship winning game was a score. Young scoring a fine wingers try. Ash Smith didn’t let anybody down as he slotted the conversion. Final score 17 to 73 and with the referees whistle the Ponteland coach got his wish. The game was called as Percy Park crossed the 70 point mark.

Celebrations ensued with bottles of sparkling Lucozade being liberally sprayed around and the Ponteland side leading the way to the bar to wish their opponents best wishes and luck for the following season. That and some of the best home-made pies ever tasted...pies that would give our own Master Chef Eddie Saint a run for his money!

The result and 5 point haul ensured that Percy Park could not be caught in the race for the title. The consequence being that our next game away to South Shields Westoe has been ‘put on ice’. With both clubs unable to benefit the contest had no meaning. So our 1^st XV finish at Ponteland and our thanks go to Ross Young for finishing our season with panache rather than leaving the finish to the butter hands of our tight head prop!

Next up is our Lions team who take on Blaydon Georgians in the Candy Competition final on Saturday 30^th April. Please see our web site and social media platforms for the venue. Your support is always needed and welcomed.

Percy Park RFC:

From 15; James Wrigley, Howard Stock, Ash Smith, Paul Spowart, Ross Young, Andrew Walker and Robin Houghton

From 8; Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Michael Langlands, Karl Thompson, Josh Hedley, Matty Atkinson, Adam Hay and Sam Digman.

Finishers: Michael Birkett, Mark Barry and Cameron Young.

Northumberland Senior Cup

Alnwick RFC 39 v Percy Park RFC 5

Haggies streak inspires Park’s only score.

Constant drizzle, bad light, a wet lens, a soggy match report and the loss of my favourite peaked cap were put aside as Adam Hay illuminated Greensfield with an audacious line out move that saw our hooker strip off his clothes as he streaked toward the Alnwick try line. The player was almost down to the ‘shreddies’ before Leo Caulfield popped up in support to spare the blushes and finish the move. The score being Percy Park’s only notch on the night.

Percy Park registering 5 points is testament to a very good Alnwick side. Our country cousins sit mid table at Level 5 and show cased that deserved league placing throughout the game. They starved Percy Park of the ball and moved our black and whites from right to left. Although we were on the back foot we did exhibit moments that demonstrated that, we too, are capable of competing at a higher level. Our defensive set was good and when we did get the ball we looked dangerous. Many of Alnwick’s scores came from our own mistakes which unfortunately exaggerated the score board. Carrying high against Acklam or Novos might result in a break but alas Alnwick punished us by ripping the ball when we looked good in possession. As we continue our trajectory upward this was just the game Percy Park needed to demonstrate how far we still need to go to fulfill our own league aspirations. The work might be done this season, with the gloss still to be attained, but for our young side this defeat should ‘whet the appetite’ for contests to come.

The opening salvos were fierce and it was Percy Park who were a fingernail away from the first score. Scrum half Robin Houghton was unlucky not to intercept a flipped ball off the top of an Alnwick line out. If he hadn’t chewed his nails he could have been in for the first score. Affronted the Alnwick 15 gave Percy Park their first warning as he skipped through the defensive wall. He too coming close and all the above occurring in the first two minutes. Still there wasn’t time to catch the breath as Alnwick kept pressing. August tackles in the midfield from Paul Spowart and Leo Caulfield but the brakes on as Alnwick ‘picked low and went’. Placing Park near to their try line. Impressive defense from Park and last ditch tackles from Howard Stock and Ross Young kept the thumb in the dam, but it was all about the constant pressure with Alnwick eventually scoring in the top right hand corner. The conversion was missed. 5 nil to the home side. Five minutes played.

From the re start it was all Alnwick. As the home side took the ball to the ruck they went for the hammer constantly going through the phases knocking Percy Park back beyond the gain line. The Alnwick forwards were relentless. Their back row was very mobile.

 

Fine margins as Paul Spowart dropped the ball in contact. An ‘Ice’ in a ruck gave Park possession only to see that slip away in the next breakdown. Ash Smith dropped the ball in fading light. Our scrum went backwards. All the little things added up to the inability to get out of our half. On the plus side we were hitting well and there was plenty of chat.

On 24 minutes Alnwick made the break through. A forward move had the home side mauling to the line. A Percy Park grip fell away and the opposition rolled away and over the line. Conversion taken 12-0

Andy Dunn took Percy Park for a rare foray into the Alnwick half. Up to the 22 before we lost possession and headed back whence we came. Alnwick were quick onto the ball. Jake Smith was unlucky with a short pass that didn’t go.

 

Our front row received the wrath of the referee as we penalised for pulling down. Penalty in kicking distance. Taken 15 nil.

From the kick off Alnwick were penalised for crossing. Ash went for the kick taking the away side beyond the home side 22 for the first time in the game. We came straight back whence we came. Jamie Wrigley was caught at full back from a rush attacking back line. A forward pass lost possession and on our ‘put in’ we couldn’t get the ball ‘out of the back’ quick enough to make a difference. Still we held on with some really good defensive sets and Alnwick knew they were in a physical contest. That fact was manifested by a drop goal attempt that dropped marginally short.

Percy Park endeavored to get out of their half but almost on the half time whistle Jamie Wrigley was caught holding on as Alnwick once again expressed their desire to get over the ball quickly. Their fitness levels were more than impressive. Shot taken. 18 nil at the half. Both teams into the changing rooms.

The early exchanges were in Park’s 22 and Percy Park ran the bench. Fresh legs gave us an impetus and we had our ‘purple patch’ in the game. A free ball gave Ash Smith the chance to chip over the rush defense. Although the attempt came to naught the line out did. A short throw saw Adam Hay launch his legs along the line in acres of space. The ‘whoopee’ could be heard as he went to the streak. Alnwick scrambled but Leo Caulfield was there in support to assist and make the score. And in the doing a Tyneside roar was heard along the Aln Valley. Great try. Conversion was missed. 18 to 5. Akin to our ancestors nicking a few cows before heading back to the Tine.

Sam Digman went off for some TLC from ‘our’ Caroline. As he did so the response from Alnwick was immediate. Although in possession Park carried high and were stripped of the ball. The ball was moved to the right corner where the score was made, despite the valiant efforts of Ross Young. 25 to 5.

We were stripped again and in our attempts to regain we were caught offside. Alnwick’s 10 kicked the ball down the line. Despite a Ross Young tackle the follow up was that quick we had no time to get onto the ball. A nudge deep into our 22 had Michael Langlands scrambling across. The Alnwick 10 was in his ‘arm chair’ and moving our team around the pitch. With dominance in the scrum we were hanging on. With the scrum being walked back the ball came out and the ‘up and coming’ Alnwick hope, Jack O’Regan, came off the wing to go under the posts for a great team try. 32-5.

Percy Park were stripped once more and the ball was returned high under the lights. Jamie Wrigley did well to collect but there was no time to counter as Alnwick pressed the collect.

Robin Houghton and Seb Reece went off. Park ran the bench, rolling personnel on and off. Then came the try of the game at the hands of Alnwick’s Pete Moralee. A midfield tackle opened up space which Moralee took. Taking the grass he created a ‘2 on 1’ with his fly half. Exchange and they were over leaving the Park defender with no real hope of preventing the score. 39 to 5. Quick as a flash.

Alnwick ran their bench and the game fizzled out. A Pete Basara solo raid into the Alnwick half had the away support on their feet. The front rows had a flare up which quickly involved both packs with an Alnwick forward finding himself taking a seat outside of the melee. Once settled Alnwick responded in kind and walked us back. A few dropped balls lost us possession.

The nearest we came to another score in the game was an almighty Alnwick boot that had Jamie Wrigley collecting deep. The chase or follow up was a great example of rugby acumen. Three players bore down, squeezing Jamie to the corner, where the only option was to move onto his right foot and put the ball into touch. Even his angle was marginalized to ensure that no distance could be gained. Great to watch. As we dealt with the lineout the referee went to the whistle and brought the tie to its conclusion. Final Score 39 to 5

Not to be too down hearted, Ponteland away this Saturday coming should (hopefully) give Percy Park the Durham and Northumberland 1 Title. Let’s see if we can make our support turn the ‘Sports Ground’ into Preston Avenue and see our team across the line.

On a final note…and on behalf of Percy Park RFC …many many thanks to all our supporters who travelled ‘up North’ to watch the black and whites at Alnwick. It is great to see so many true fans because that’s what we are ‘fans’, despite constant drizzle, bad light, a wet lens, a soggy match report and the loss of my favourite peaked cap.

Representing Percy Park RFC:

From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Andrew Dunn, Michael Langlands, Josh Hedley, Andrew Steinberg, Adam Hay and Sam Digman

From 15: Jamie Wrigley, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Paul Spowart, Ross Young, Ash Smith, and Robin Houghton

Finishers: Pete Basara, Karl Thompson, Mark Barry, Cameron Young, Andrew Walker and Ollie Stephenson.