Saturday 5 April 2025

Driffield 29 Percy Park 26

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 14-19)

There was absolute heartache for all connected with the club at Driffield on Saturday as Park were relegated from Regional 1 North East after suffering an agonising defeat by the home side. After twice holding a twelve-point lead, a penalty just four minutes before the end of the match condemned the visitors to the narrowest of defeats and put an end, after one season, to our journey at Level 5. It was, to some extent, a familiar story, the team fading in the last twenty minutes of the game with Driffield scoring two tries to tie the match and kicking the late penalty to seal the game. Within two minutes of the second half starting, Park had scored the bonus point try and looked to be in complete control but gradually, as the half wore on and despite a yellow card, Driffield gained control and were able to turn the game around to take the spoils. Crucial injuries together with a yellow card late on did not help the visitors but credit to Driffield, they fought their way back into the game with Park running out of steam.

There were changes to the Park side defeated by Huddersfield last time out with a new centre pairing of Seb Reece (in from the left wing) and Fergus Simpson with Ross Young unavailable through injury. Ash Smith moved from centre to standoff. Lucas Rowell came into the side on the left wing. In the front row, Jonny Dubois returned as hooker in place of the injured Dan Shuttleworth with Tristan Grant replacing Michael Birkett. On the replacements bench, Josh Hedley replaced Jake Smith.

On a bright, breezy but sunny day and in front of a large crowd, Driffield kicked off and were immediately into their stride and straight into the Park 22. The ball was moved swiftly left and standoff Gregor Napier was able to offload the ball in the tackle inside to flanker Rob Mewburn who scampered over five metres in from the left touchline. As Napier began his run up to take the conversion the ball fell off of the tee but he coolly picked it up and his drop goal sailed over (7-0). Three minutes played and Park were still on the bus.

From the restart, the visitors began to play and quickly cancelled out the opening home score. They stormed into the home 22, Driffield quickly conceding a penalty but with the referee playing advantage, Park moved the ball quickly right. Skipper Howard Stock was held up on the line but when the ball was quickly recycled, fullback Jordan Carey was on hand to score after a neat side step on eight minutes, standoff Ash Smith kicking an excellent conversion from the right touchline (7-7). Park were gaining the ascendancy; just a few minutes later a Driffield overthrow at a lineout had the visitors racing some 60 metres only for wing Lucas Rowell to be held just short of the try line but the visitors gained their reward for some sparkling play when, after a Driffield clearance kick, an excellent offload from Seb Reece had fellow centre Fergus Simpson haring along the right touchline. His kick ahead was collected by Stock who raced in under the posts for a superb try on fourteen minutes, Smith converting (7-14).

Just two minutes later, with Park exploiting the holes in the home defence, they were held up over the line after excellent work from Lucas Rowell and Tristan Grant. This seemed to give the home side some impetus and they began to test the Park defence, wing Ben Styche tackled into touch just short of the Park line with the Driffield forwards held up on the line a short while later. Park responded, an attack down the right stopped just short but regaining possession on halfway shortly after, the forwards were able to drive to the Driffield 10 metre line and a clever change of direction and break by Smith took him into the home 22 where the ball was moved at speed for captain Howard Stock to score his second try of the match in the right corner on 34 minutes. Smith missed the difficult conversion (7-19), the Park faithful beginning to believe.

As the clock ticked down to the end of the half, Park were again almost on the Driffield line and going for the jugular when disaster struck. Home No 8 Ed Falkingham turned the ball over and charged out of the 22 and with the Park defence caught knapping quick hands had the ball into the hands of centre Ben Blacker who raced in for the try on 40 minutes, Napier converting to significantly narrow the score (14-19).

HT: Driffield 14 Percy Park 19

Park kicked off the second half and were quickly on the front foot. From a lineout on halfway, the ball was moved into centre field where second row Chris Reekie ran hard into the opposition half, the ball being quickly recycled right with Smith making the break and centre Seb Reece receiving the ball on the Driffield 10 metre line to leave the home defence trailing in his wake to score a great try to the right of the posts on forty-eight minutes, Smith converting to restore the twelve point advantage, the bonus point secured (14-26).

One minute later, Driffield replacement Harry Grant was shown a yellow card after a high tackle but Park, despite possession and pressure over the next ten minutes or so, could not make the numerical advantage count. Restored to fifteen players, Driffield began to find some momentum but Park’s defence held firm around the 22 metre line. When the ball was moved left another excellent offload in the tackle from Napier allowed Driffield to attack along the left touchline and when the visitors ran out of defenders, prop Sam Robson found a gap to go over just to the left of the posts with Napier converting on sixty-four minutes (21-26). Just a couple of minutes after the restart, Park prop Sam Digman was shown a yellow card (it was difficult to see exactly for what offence as the referee’s signal was unclear) with things quickly going from bad to worse a short time later when, with the visitors beginning to tire, the home eight sent the visiting forwards backwards at a scrum on the Park 10 metre line, the ball eventually going along the line to the right wing where left wing Robbie Rix made ground, just managing to kick ahead before he was tackled. Fellow wing Ben Styche managed to hack on and ground the ball just before it went over the dead ball line on seventy minutes. Napier missed the conversion, the game tied (26-26).

Park were now hanging on with a fifty metre break by the home side stopped just short after the ball was lost in the tackle. Driffield came again, No 8 Falkingham being brought down inches from the line but as the ball was recycled Park were offside in front of their posts, the referee playing advantage, and although they managed to hold Driffield up over the line the referee brought play back for the infringement with Napier kicking the goal with just four minutes of the match remaining (29-26).

With time running out, Park roused themselves for one last effort, winning an attacking lineout in the right corner. From this, they pounded the home line with Ash Smith and several forwards falling inches short of the line but when they conceded a penalty as the clock turned red, the chance was lost and their relegation confirmed.

FT: Driffield 29 Percy Park 26

As they have done in every game, the lads gave absolutely everything and their efforts over the season cannot be faulted. A number of games have gone down to the wire and injuries and unavailability have taken their toll but, ultimately, it has been our failure to see out a number of games from winning positions that has cost us dearly, today being a prime example. The team were obviously in bits after the final whistle when Blaydon’s victory over Selby was confirmed as was our relegation but the trip home was not all doom and gloom, a stop in Yarm to drown our sorrows helped, as was the realisation that we did not go down without a real fight and who knows what next season will bring, promotion?

Captain Howard Stock was, as always, honest in his assessment post-match: “We just couldn’t see it out and it has been the same old story most of the season. Is it fitness? I don’t know. After Seb scored (the fourth try) I thought we would really kick on especially as they went a man down but we couldn’t capitalise. We lost our go forward and allowed Driffield to come back at us. We were so close at the end to getting the score we needed but probably lost a little composure knowing time was nearly up. The whole team are gutted but we need to quickly face up to what has happened, we take on Driffield again next week in the cup and we want to do as well as we can in that competition”.

In the clubhouse post-match, Driffield were gracious in victory, fulsome in their praise for our efforts, and sad for our relegation. We thank them for their wonderful hospitality and look forward to reciprocating next weekend on Tyneside. We also thank our match referee.

The Lions suffered a high scoring defeat at Driffield 71-46 and on Sunday, the Panthers suffered a home defeat to league leaders Penrith 5-36 to leave their promotion hopes resting on a knife edge.

Next Saturday, with the league season over, the Papa John’s Community Cup takes centre stage and we are in the Regional 1 Plate Competition with a first round home tie against… Driffield! KO is at 3pm. The Plate is a straight knock-out competition with the winner of our game taking on either Cleckheaton or Blackburn at home in the Quarter Final. The Lions are not scheduled to have a game but on Sunday the Panthers travel to Alnwick in NC3 North (North). All support for our sides would be greatly appreciated.    

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Lucas Rowell; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Jacob German; 8 Keith Laughlin; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Matthew French; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Karl Thompson; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Louis Adamson; Paul Spowart; Josh Hedley

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Saturday 22March 2025

Percy Park 14 Huddersfield 60

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 7-18)

After an excellent victory at Cleckheaton last time out, the Park faithful came into this game hopeful that the hosts could take something from this match against high flying Huddersfield. It was not only the game at Cleck but our performance at Huddersfield back in January where, with just ten minutes to go the game was tied 21-21 and although the match was lost, Park gained a valuable bonus point. Alas, Huddersfield, chasing the league championship and promotion to the National Leagues had other ideas and in a ruthless second half display demonstrated their class leaving Park, with one remaining league game, staring into the relegation abyss. Huddersfield scored eight tries, five in the final fifteen minutes, as Park collapsed and our only consolation was that both of our relegation ‘rivals’, Blaydon and Selby, both lost although Selby did gain a losing bonus point.

There were minimal changes to the side from that which took the field at Cleckheaton. Ross Young replaced Paul Spowart in the centre with Michael Birkett coming in to the front row to replace Louis Adamson who dropped to the replacements bench alongside Spowart and Jake Smith.

On a dull, dank day with rain in the air, Huddersfield kicked off and showed their intent immediately, Park having to defend a driving maul close to their own try line. When Park failed to find touch from a clearance kick in their own 22, Huddersfield attacked right and a break by fullback Lewis Workman eventually led to a try in the right corner by wing Fin Stewart on four minutes. Standoff Wilf Milner kicked an excellent conversion from the right touchline (0-7).

Park began to get into the game, despite the ariel ping pong, but the visitors proved resolute in defence and when they did break out, a deliberate knock on gave Milner the chance to extend their lead which he did on twelve minutes (0-10). As the first quarter ended, Huddersfield scored again when excellent interplay between brothers Kian Stewart on the left wing and Fin Stewart on the right wing gave the latter his second try in the right corner. Milner missed the difficult conversion which was to be his only unsuccessful attempt of the day (0-15). The hosts, who incidentally were not playing badly, had to respond and respond they did on twenty-seven minutes. From a penalty awarded in front of the posts after a high tackle from the Huddersfield No 8, Park elected to kick to the left corner. From the catch and drive, flanker Matthew French was held up on the line but the ball was recycled quickly for No 8 Keith Laughlin to score to the left of the posts. Centre Ash Smith converted (7-15).

From the restart, the game seemed to get bogged down in midfield until a stunning break by Huddersfield No 8 Billy Hammond should have led to a try but his final pass went to ground although, at the ensuing breakdown, Park infringed by not rolling away after the tackle and, from almost in front of the posts, Milner kicked the penalty on thirty-three minutes (7-18). That completed the first half scoring but ‘Field lost hooker Ethan Myers who was sent to the sin bin by referee Josh Bate after a high tackle just before the break.

HT: Percy Park 7 Huddersfield 18

After a fairly evenly contested first period, albeit with Huddersfield holding an eleven-point lead, few present at the match could imagine what would happen in the second half. Huddersfield were quickly out of the blocks, successive Park infringements gifting them some fifty metres in territory and from the second lineout it was Hammond who scored from the catch and drive on forty-two minutes, Milner again kicking an excellent conversion (7-25).

When the restart failed to go the required ten metres, Huddersfield decimated the home eight with a ferocious drive but Park responded, gradually gaining some possession and territory. When Huddersfield were penalised in midfield, a kick to the left corner gave the hosts an attacking lineout. When the drive was held on the line, the ball was moved smartly to the blindside for fullback Jordan Carey to score on the corner. Smith kicked an excellent conversion on fifty-one minutes (14-25).

Sadly, that was it as far as the home side were concerned, with Huddersfield taking complete control of the match thereafter. As the third quarter ended, Huddersfield were in the ascendancy in terms of possession with both Hammond and replacement Max Horsfall to the fore but Park were defending well in and around halfway but, after some brilliant footwork from Fin Stewart on the right wing, managing to stay infield and rolling out of several tackles, he set up centre Ed Barber for the visitors bonus point try on sixty-five minutes, Milner converting (14-32).

The floodgates then opened, with ’Field scoring a further four tries in the last fifteen minutes, their backs particularly running riot. Barber scored his second try soon after his first when the home side were turned over and hooker Myers (back on the field of play) running strongly, gave the scoring pass. Milner converted (14-39). Kian Stewart and Barbour then both combined for tries six and seven. Firstly, a touchline sprint form Stewart, after excellent work from Barber, had the wing in to score with Stewart returning the favour a few minutes later when another scorching run and a great final pass had Barber in for his hat trick score. Milner converted both tries (14-53). As the clock moved into the red, lock Joe Christian rounded off another great attack featuring Barber and Horsfall to score Huddersfield’s eighth and final try, Milner converting to give the visitors a resounding victory.

FT: Percy Park 14 Huddersfield 60

Huddersfield more than deserved their victory and showed what a great side they are. For their part, Park competed for sixty-five minutes but the last quarter was a horror show, the side completely capitulating as the visiting side ran riot. As they left the field, the home side looked shell-shocked as well they might. Most were too upset to speak but immediate past President Keith Atkinson commented: “The match was very much like our season, I think. We played well in parts, got to within striking distance and then fell away. Those last few minutes were embarrassing but I take nothing away from Huddersfield, they were excellent and their backs ran us ragged in the last fifteen minutes. Now its all down to our game at Driffield in a fortnight but we will have to play much, much better if we are to get a result”.

We thank Huddersfield for a hard-fought game, played in the right spirit, and hope very much that they enjoyed our hospitality. We wish them well as they seek the title and promotion. We also thank our match day referee Josh Bate without whom there is no game. Huddersfield face Sandal at home in their final game while Scunthorpe visit Cleckheaton and so it will be a nail-biting climax at the top of the table as it will at the bottom. On Saturday, 5 April we visit Driffield (KO 3pm) where nothing less than a bonus point win will do. Blaydon entertain Selby in a relegation derby, with ourselves and Blaydon on thirty-six points, Selby on thirty-seven. ALL SUPPORT AT DRIFFIELD WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

Elsewhere, the Lions had an excellent victory at home to Sunderland 34-17 and the Panthers continued their promotion push with a resounding 0-28 win at Ponteland.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ross Young; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Jacob German; 8 Keith Laughlin; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Matthew French; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Karl Thompson; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Michael Birkett

Replacements: Louis Adamson; Pasul Spowart; Jake Smith

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Saturday 8 March 2025

Cleckheaton 19 Percy Park 27

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 12-14)

After a very disappointing result against fellow relegation threatened Blaydon last week, Park travelled to Cleckheaton on Saturday knowing that a win was vital to any hope of keeping their Level 5 status and they certainly delivered, winning a hard fought game after going twelve points in arrears early in the game. Sadly, I was not present at the match and it is a thank you to Cleckheaton who sent over their match video.

There were the usual changes to the side as a result of injury and unavailability. Jordan Carey moved to full back replacing Ash Smith who reverted to inside centre with Paul Spowart partnering him in midfield. Seb Reece moved out to the left wing to replace the unavailable Ross Young. Coach Keith Laughlin came back into the side at No 8 after missing the Blaydon game with Matthew French moving to the flank, Jake Smith dropping to the replacements bench. In the front row, Louis Adamson replaced the unavailable Tristan Grant. On the replacements bench, Jake Smith was joined by Aaron Smith and Nathan Newbound.

On a glorious day, dry and sunny, Sandal kicked off and it was the visitors who made the better start, keeping possession with some excellent carries but when the ball was turned over Cleckheaton quickly got into their stride, eventually forcing a scrum on the Park 22. The ball was moved right infield, Park looking as if they had contained the danger, but somehow home scrumhalf Tom Egan saw a gap and with the help of his back row and some lacklustre defence, he was over under the posts on eight minutes. Egan converted his try (7-0)

After Park were penalised on halfway, Cleckheaton gained a lineout in the visitors 22 and were able to apply some real pressure. Although Park were able to clear, the kick to touch only gave the home side another lineout deep in the Park 22 and from it came a catch and drive. Hooker Richard Piper touching down on eighteen minutes in the left corner. Egan missed the difficult conversion (12-0)

To their credit, Park rallied in the third quarter to take the lead at the break. Firstly, as Park attempted to escape their 22, the ball was moved swiftly right from a breakdown close to the left touchline. Strong running from No 8 Keith Laughlin had the ball into the hands of skipper Howard Stock who scorched along the right touchline and when he was tackled, a perfect offload had the ball into the hands of flanker Leo Caulfield and a quick pass right had the supporting Seb Reece go over in the right corner on twenty-five minutes. Centre Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion (12-7).

As the clocked ticked down on the first half, Park were coming into their own, playing in the home 22 and exerting real pressure, the forwards at times camped on the home try line with only desperate defence preventing a visiting score. The dam had to break and it did from the last play of the half, when from the back of a scrum in the 22, flanker Matthew French was able to power to the line, stretch his arm and score to the left of the posts on 40 minutes, Spowart converting to put Park ahead for the first time in the match (12-14)

HT: Cleckheaton 12 Percy Park 14

Park kicked off the second half and were able to increase their lead within three minutes, Spowart kicking a penalty after Cleckheaton infringed at a ruck midway in their own half (12-17). From the restart, it was the visitors applying the pressure and from another home infringement, Park kicked to the left hand corner but were themselves penalised for a lineout offence and the chance was lost. A fantastic break by scrumhalf German had Park at the Cleck tryline but the ball was knocked on as the home side defended desperately. However, Park were made to pay for not taking their opportunities when, after the ball was turned over, a huge Cleckheaton clearance kick to the right corner had the visitors in trouble, wing Seb Reece adjudged to have just been in touch as he attempted to keep the ball in play. Two lineouts later, after visiting No 8 Laughlin received a yellow card for illegally stopping the first drive, Cleckheaton eventually managed to maul the ball over the line for No 8 Bradley Marsden to touch down in the corner on fifty-two minutes, Egan kicking an excellent conversion to restore the home sides lead (19-17).

A man down, Park needed to steady the ship which they did, excellent defence keeping the home side in check. When Park were eventually awarded a penalty on the right touchline close to half way, they were able to attack from the resulting lineout. Excellent play between backs and forwards had Cleckheaton scrambling in defence, and a break by German had flanker Leo Caulfield inside him to score at the posts on sixty-five minutes, Spowart converting (19-24).

Cleckheaton gained possession from the restart but could not break the gain line, again great defence keeping them in and around the Park 10 metre line but when they turned the ball over, a great run from replacement Nathan Newbound had Park deep into home territory and from a lineout on the home 22, Park attacked in midfield and won a penalty as Laughlin came off of a ruck but was illegally held. The penalty, from just inside the 22 but directly onto the posts was kicked by centre Ash Smith on seventy minutes (19-27).

The next few minutes saw Park look for the bonus point try but a combination of indiscipline and Cleck defence kept them out, with, in the last few minutes, Cleckheaton mounting a determined effort to salvage something from the game, Park defending desperately in the left corner but there was no further scoring.

FT: Cleckheaton 19 Percy Park 27

An excellent victory on the road against a very good Cleckheaton side who sit sixth in the table having won ten and drawn one of their twenty fixtures thus far. It gives the lads a lifeline and, with just two games remaining, they move just out of the relegation places but on the same points as both Selby and Blaydon, thirty six. Blaydon, with their recent additions, scored 100 points in defeating Sandal while Selby suffered a narrow defeat at Alnwick. Next up, Park take on high flying Huddersfield at Preston Avenue on 22 March, with a rest weekend this coming Saturday. The Lions game was cancelled this last Saturday but the Panthers took on Rockcliff with an after match party to celebrate International Women’s Day. The match was lost 19-40 with visiting centre Macey Leach scoring four tries to put a dent in the home sides promotion hopes. This weekend, the Lions take on Ashington at Preston Avenue, KO 3pm.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Jacob German; 8 Keith Laughlin; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Matthew French; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Karl Thompson; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Louis Adamson

Replacements: Aaron Smith; Nathan Newbound; Jake Smith

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Saturday 1 March 2025

Percy Park 7 Blaydon 32

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 7-25)

In the clubhouse pre-match, all of the talk from both sets of supporters was that this was a ‘must win’ game for both clubs, the threat of relegation for both sides now a real possibility with just four games remaining in the regular league season. Yes, there were murmurings that Blaydon had recently been able to strengthen their side but, after last weeks big win over Sandal, there were high hopes of a Park derby day victory over our North-East rivals but those hopes were cruelly dashed very quickly, Blaydon taking early control and effectively being out of sight as the first quarter ended. In what can only be described as a shocking first half performance, Park were 7-25 adrift at half-time and although the second half effort was much better, the home side never looked as though they could claw back the deficit and at the final whistle, were well beaten. The frustrating thing was that in the second half we were more than able to compete with the visitors and had we done so from the start, it might have been a different game. But take nothing away from Blaydon, they looked like a top of the table side in that opening half, not a side at the bottom and after this performance, will be very confident going into their last three games.

There were, as usual, changes to the side that defeated Sandal last time out. Ash Smith returned to the side at fullback in place of Paul Spowart who dropped to the replacements bench. Seb Reece returned to the centre to partner Fergus Simpson with Ross Young reverting to his normal left wing position in place of Sol Kench. Our forward talisman and coach Keith Laughlin, so influential over the past few weeks, was unavailable to face his old side with Matthew French coming in as No 8. Leo Caulfield returned for the suspended Jonny Dubois in the back row, Karl Thompson returned to the second row with Sam Digman reverting to prop in place of Michael Birkett. Otis Collingbourne and Louis Adamson joined Spowart on the replacements bench.

On a dry, slightly overcast day with almost no breeze, perfect conditions for the game, Blaydon kicked off and within two minutes were ahead on the scoreboard. Park were penalised almost immediately from the start for a high tackle, Blaydon kicking into the left corner. The catch and drive was held and as the ball was moved at speed right, the home side strayed offside in front of their posts, Blaydon scrumhalf John Clarkson kicking the goal (0-3).

From the restart, Blaydon were quickly into the Park half, and when they moved the ball right, again at speed with quick hands, wing Kevin Slow (who was anything but) powered onto the ball with pace to race in at the right corner to score an excellent try on five minutes. There were grumblings on the sidelines about a possible forward pass but referee Ricki Handa gave the score. Clarkson missed the difficult conversion from wide out (0-8).

Things went from bad to worse just five minutes later when, after Park were caught offside just in their own half, Blaydon kicked the resultant penalty deep into the home 22. The catch and drive was held but when the ball was moved left, centre Ewan Greenlaw followed by several of their big forwards made ground almost to the home line. A clever change of direction from Clarkson opened space for standoff Dan Marshall to scamper over to the right of the posts. The conversion was missed, ten minutes played (0-13).

Park had barely laid hands on the ball and up front, appeared to have no answer to the physicality of the Blaydon forwards. The visiting backs were also proving to be quick and elusive, with everything about the visitors being high tempo. The home side were unable to keep any meaningful possession with the pressure Blaydon were exerting leading to indiscipline which referee Handa was only too happy to punish. When Park did get the ball, possession was quickly turned over, for example, second row Chris Reekie intercepted a pass and stormed forward only for the recycled ball to be kicked straight into touch. As the game moved into the second quarter Blaydon struck again. From a lineout on half way, Greenlaw again powered into Park territory, winning a penalty as a Park forward failed to roll away after the tackle. The penalty was kicked to the 22 metre line on the left touchline. Park immediately infringed again when a Blaydon jumper was illegally played in the air. Blaydon kicked to the corner and as the catch and drive edged towards the tryline, prop Sam Digman was adjudged to have deliberately collapsed the maul, a penalty try awarded by referee Handa and Digman given a yellow card on twenty-six minutes (0-20).

At this point, with the game ebbing away from the home side, Blaydon took advantage of the extra man on the half hour when, from yet another lineout deep in the Park 22, resulting from a home infringement, Park were unable to halt the ensuing maul with visiting No 8 Ethan Clarke powering over to score their bonus point try in the right corner. Clarkson missed the difficult conversion, the game effectively over (0-25).

As the clock entered the red at the end of the half, Park suddenly found some go forward. A fiercely contested ruck on half way had Blaydon penalised and quickly marched 10 metres back after questioning the referee’s decision. Centre Fergus Simpson kicked the penalty into the Blaydon 22. A throw to the back of the lineout quickly had the ball into midfield where scrumhalf Jacob German, seeing space, evaded several tackles in a scything run to score to the right of the posts, an excellent try converted by the lad himself (7-25). The referee immediately signalled half time, a sobering forty minutes for Park who were barely in the contest, the last second try at least offering some hope for the second half.

HT: Percy Park 7 Blaydon 25

Park kicked off the second half and were immediately on the defensive, Blaydon dominating possession with the home side unable to exit their half. However, in terms of defence and discipline Park were much improved from the opening period but on fifty minutes, after holding the visitors at bay in and around their 22 metre line, Park conceded yet again when, after containing a number of big carries, too many players were committed defensively and when Blaydon moved right at speed, centre Greenlaw found the space to score under the posts, Clarkson converting (7-32).

The score appeared to galvanise Park who, for the next ten minutes or so, enjoyed their best period of the game, quickly winning a penalty (high tackle) from the restart which was kicked into the Blaydon 22 but a poor lineout turned over possession immediately. When the visitors were again penalised for the same offence, Park gained some traction, a great break by skipper Howard Stock putting Park into the visitors 22, only for a knock-on as the ball was moved from the breakdown to again hand possession back to Blaydon who promptly infringed again in front of their posts on the hour mark. A tap and go had Park on the Blaydon tryline but they were penalised for not releasing the ball and the chance was lost. It was as close as Park came to a second half score.

As the game entered the last twenty minutes, Blaydon gained the ascendancy in terms of both territory and possession, Park unable to hold on to the ball and even when the visitors were reduced to fourteen, replacement flanker Samuela Tabuavuaka yellow carded for a no arms tackle on sixty-four minutes, the home side were unable to take advantage. With Park getting some possession, due mainly to Blaydon profligacy, they tried to attack through their backline but good Blaydon defence kept the home side pinned in their own half. As the game ended, Blaydon were attacking from a scrum awarded after another poor Park lineout.

FT: Percy Park 7 Blaydon 32

A hugely disappointing game from a home perspective, especially given the significance of the result in terms of possible relegation. The alarming fact is that twice in the last few weeks, Park have faced the bottom side in the league here at Preston Avenue (Selby in early February and now Blaydon) in vital games and in both have played so poorly. It is frustrating when compared with our games at high flying Scunthorpe and York, both of which we could and should have won. In the opening twenty minutes of the game today, Park could not cope with the physicality and speed of thought of the visitors, who thoroughly deserved their victory. Their big ball carriers were always able to breach the gain line and defensively, they stopped the Park forwards in their tracks. Starved of any meaningful possession, the Park backs could only defend. A malfunctioning lineout, poor line kicks and indiscipline did not help the home cause.

Four tries to the good after half an hour, Park were shell shocked and although the second half performance was much better, in truth they only seriously threatened the Blaydon try line once in that second half. Post match, player coach Ash Smith was too disappointed to speak, as were many of the players, but hooker Dan Shuttleworth had this to say: “You could not quote what I really think, we were awful. Nothing seemed to go right. Blaydon were up for it, I honestly thought we were, but after twenty, twenty-five minutes, it was all over. I just wanted the game to end, we were that bad.”

For Park, Tristan Grant and Chris Reekie tried to give the team some go forward and Jacob German played well in a losing effort, scoring a great try at the end of the first half and never shirking his defensive duties. For Blaydon, their forwards were excellent and in midfield, centre Ewan Greenlaw had an excellent game. Their half backs Marshall and Clarkson dictated the game and had Blaydon constantly on the front foot. We thank Blaydon for a tough but fair game (if not the result!) and hope that they enjoyed our hospitality. We also thank our match referee Ricky Handa and our sponsors for the game, Marine Safety Supplies.

The result still leaves Blaydon bottom of Regional 1 North East on 31 points, one point adrift of Park on 32 points. Selby, courtesy of a great 24-27 win at Scunthorpe, move out of the bottom two on 34 points. Blaydon face Sandal (H), Scunthorpe (A) and Selby (H) in their last three games, Selby face Alnwick (A), York (H), Blaydon (A) while Park play Cleckheaton (A), Huddersfield (H) and Driffield (A). It will be a tense end to the league season.

As noted above, the 1^st XV travel to Cleckheaton next week, KO is 3 pm. For those unable to travel, the Panthers take on Rockcliff at Preston Avenue on Saturday, KO 2pm, and celebrate International Women’s Day in the process. It will be a lively clubhouse for sure post-match! The Lions are also at home on Saturday when they take on Billingham, KO is 3pm.

England play Scotland here in an U19 Men’s International on Saturday, 26 April, KO 2pm. Full details of ticketing and hospitality can be found on the club website and social media platforms.

Percy Park: 15 Ash Smith; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Ross Young; 10 Jordan Carey; 9 Jacob German; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Jake Smith; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Karl Thompson; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Paul Spowart; Otis Collingbourne; Louis Adamson

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