CARLISLE 10 – 20 PERCY PARK
The torrential rain of the previous few days meant heavy conditions were the order of the day, although the sun did make an appearance before kick off, and the climate for supporters was not too bad for the time of year.
Percy Park kicked off with the sun low in their eyes and a slight breeze in their faces. Although by this league’s travelling commitments the journey to Warwick Road was not a long one, Park started sluggishly with the coach trip not out of their legs. The early possession was all in the home side favour, and they should have scored inside the first few minutes but for a miss directed pass in the midfield and Park were able to clear their lines. Carlisle did score however a couple of minutes later when prop Martin Kalinowski went over in the corner after some good handling in the back line after a quick tap penalty. The visiting supporters felt the burly front rower had put a foot in touch, but as it was a Park touch judge on that side of the pitch could have no complaints when the flag stayed down. Fly half Grant Connon kicked the difficult conversion to take his side into an early 7 – 0 lead.
Park recovered their composure and set up an assault on the Carlisle try line, with Chris Reekie being stopped just short. The referee was playing advantage for a Carlisle offside, but arguably could have let play develop instead of blowing for the penalty. Park opted for the shot at goal and Ash Smith duly kicked the points to reduce the home side lead on 16 minutes.
The visitors then started to exert a little more pressure and Carlisle were forced to concede four penalties in a row but none of them were in kickable positions. Park’s best chance came moments later when the ball was shipped wide to Howard Stock who was clear in space to go over the line, but referee Harrison pulled play back for a Carlisle penalty for obstruction in midfield.
Percy Park looked the side more likely to score, but were guilty at time of over elaborating play, and with a greasy ball, handling errors often halted progress. With the first half coming to a close, Irish Under 20 Grant Connon stretched his sides lead on 42 minutes with a penalty, but as the first period ended Carlisle’s top try scorer Chris Harris limped off for treatment as the whistle blew.
In the second half Carlisle had a chance to go further ahead with a penalty, which Connon missed, and although Harris had re-entered the fray, he was force off on 48 minutes with an ankle injury, which severely dented Carlisle’s attacking options.
Percy Park had the slight upper hand in the set scrum, disrupting the Carlisle ball, but the line out was not up to the usual standard, denying the home side quick ball attacking options. The visitors did manage to rumble the ball well, with phase after phase of forward drives which eventually led to Chris Reekie bullocking over the line for a try which Ash Smith converted to level the scores. Up until that point Carlisle had defended manfully repelling each drive for the line, but Park’s patience paid off with the try on the hour.
Carlisle restarted and immediately Park returned to the attack. A flowing move involving the Park three quarters put Ali Blair in space and with two on two he tried to go through the gap, but was sandwiched between two defenders, and was then penalised for handling the ball on the ground which allowed Carlisle to kick for touch, taking the ball back into the Park half.
Percy Park were then awarded a penalty on half way and scrum half John Scott took a quick tap and set off up field. The ball was recycled to Chris Reekie on the charge taking out several defenders in his wake, and again Carlisle were penalised in front of their post 35 yards out. Ash Smith stepped up and coolly kicked the points for Park to take the lead for the first time in the match with only seven minutes of normal time left for play.
Craig Firth had come on the field from the bench, earlier in the half and had a strong run into the heart of the Carlisle half, and a try looked on as a long pass out to the left wing saw Ali Blair in space, but the ball drifted forward and the play stopped for a scrum.
Carlisle tried in vain to get into the Park half, to get close enough to mount an attack, but lost possession when Chris Reekie made the “hit” of the day with a blockbusting tackle causing the ball to spill forward. Play was stopped for some time as the winded Carlisle player received treatment. From the resulting scrum, Park scrum half John Scott broke up field and off loaded to Ali Blair on the blind side. The Park wing made good ground before being tackled, but stayed on his feet driving for the line, giving time for the forwards to arrive on the scene to take the ball on, first through Sean Williamson, before the ball was passed to Andy Dunn who powered over the line to score on 88 minutes.
Ash Smith kicked the conversion, and a short time after the restart, the whistle went for the end of the game. Although Park were the dominant side, Carlisle’s defence was exceptional, and the Cumbrian’s will feel aggrieved at not even earning a losing bonus point.
Next week is the big game with top versus second when Park travel to West Hartlepool. It is also cup weekend, with Park Lions playing Corbridge Centurions in a league and cup double header, the Pumas playing Wallsend and the Marauders playing Blyth III. For the first time this season Percy Park Penguins, (veterans), take on West End in the Northumberland No5 cup. Several of Park’s 1st XV of yester year are likely to be making an appearance. The Academy are also in action at home to Wigton in the league, making it the first time for some years that Park has attempted to turn out six sides on a Saturday.