Saturday 28 March 2026
Consett 53 Percy Park 48
Regional 2 North
(HT: 13-22)
In a high scoring game, played in gusting wind, Consett inflicted a third successive defeat on visitors Percy Park putting at risk a potential play-off place. Leading by nine points at the break a devastating fifteen minute spell midway through the second half effectively killed off the game, Consett building a 53-27 lead, before a late Park rally produced three late tries to earn Park two bonus points which could prove vital in the race for a play-off place.
On a very windy but dry day, Consett kicked off, Park playing with the wind with the home side exerting early pressure until a scrum infringement allowed Park to relieve the pressure. Park opened the scoring on eleven minutes, second row Chris Reekie scoring from a catch and drive in the right corner, the conversion missed (0-5). The lead was extended five minutes later, standoff George Chapman kicking a penalty after an off the ball tackle just inside the home 22 (0-8). Consett hit back as the first quarter ended, hooker Elijah Brooks-Bowen scoring to the left of the posts after a succession of Park infringements. They were level on twenty-four minutes, Park under pressure and giving away a penalty for a high tackle in front of the posts (8-8).
The visitors regained the lead just two minutes later when, almost from the restart, centre Oli Bartles-Smith danced through the home defence from his own 10 metre line to score under the posts, Chapman converting (8-15). On thirty-one minutes, Consett scored their second try after good work from standoff James Herdman allowing centre Reece Plumtree to score to the left of the posts, the conversion missed (13-15). Two minutes before the break, Bartles-Smith scored a second, taking the ball from a Consett kick, side stepping the defence and scoring under the posts, Chapman converting (13-22).
HT: Consett 13 Percy Park 22
Park kicked off the second half and immediately put themselves under pressure when the ball did not go 10 metres in the gusting wind. Consett scored twice in the opening six minutes of the half to wipe out the nine point advantage. The first after forty-three minutes when, after repeated Park infringements close to the visiting line, Plumtree scored to the left of the posts, converted by fullback Lewis Bowman (20-22). Three minutes later, straight from the restart, a searing break in midfield was stopped on the Park line by last ditch defence but flanker Aaron Stephenson was able to pick-up and crash over, the try converted by Bowman (27-22). Park were able to respond, No 8 Matthew French spinning out of a tackle just to the left of the posts after great work from wing Dan Jackson , the conversion missed (27-27).
Park were unable to capitalise, Consett scoring four unanswered tries in a fifteen minute spell, the first after fifty-one minutes straight from the restart, wing Riley Bell scoring after a kick into the 22 was not dealt with properly, the conversion missed (32-27). Four minutes later, Plumtree again scored under the posts after the visiting midfield proved brittle, Bowman converting (39-27). In the sixty-second minute, Consett scored again under the posts, No 8 Jack Beckwith scoring with Bowman converting (46-27). After sixty-six minutes, another midfield break had scrumhalf Joe Kirkland scoring, Bowman converting, effectively ending the contest (53-27).
Able to raise their game, Park were able to score three late tries to earn two bonus points, two from Chris Reekie in the seventy-second minute, converted by Chapman, and the seventy-fifth minute converted by fullback Dan Jackson (53-41). After a Consett yellow card, Park were able to score again, another forward try and conversion on seventy-eight minutes (53-48). As the clock ticked down, Park went looking for the score to seal an amazing comeback win but Consett held on for the win
FT: Consett 53 Percy Park 48
As a consequence, Park slipped to fourth in the league table, Consett remaining in second. The race for the play-off places will go down to the final round of fixtures this coming weekend, Park at home to West Hartlepool, KO 3pm. As confirmed second place finishers, Consett will have a home tie against the team finishing fifth, third place playing fourth. There is all to play for on 11 April.
Oops! Who did the pitch markings at Consett???
Percy Park: 15 Joe Wotton; 14 Tom Bird; 13 Howard Stock ©; 12 Oli Bartles-Smith; 11 Dan Jackson; 10 George Chapman; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant
Replacements: Nick Macklin-Copeland; Sean Nairn; Freddie Harra