Old Crossleyans 21 – 15 Percy Park
Any hopes Park harboured of promotion were dashed in a slow motion performance against Halifax side Old Crossleyans on Saturday. Crocs had won only three games so far this season and were on the wrong end of a 45 – 18 drubbing earlier in the season at Preston Avenue. Park’s spirits were high having started the New Year so well with a comprehensive win against fellow Yorkshiremen Old Brods the previous week.
The 1st and 2nd XV’s both playing Old Crossleyans, left North Shields not knowing if the games would be played or not, as overnight sub zero temperatures had frozen the pitches, but the signs were good for a rise in temperature as the sun came out and the 1st XV game went ahead - just, although the Lions game did not.
Park fielded much the same team as last week with Tony Dunn coming into the back row for Sean Williamson, Crocs welcomed the return of hooker Richard Wheale and number 8 Manny Riaz, to bolster their side.
Old Crossleyans kicked off, but the ball did not go the required 10 metres so a restart scrum on half way allowed the forwards to get acquainted with each other early doors. The scrum was pretty even, and although Park had some brief early possession Old Crossleyans looked more up for the challenge and could have scored inside 3 minutes but for a forward pass on the Park 5 metre line. Park were penalised for boring in at the scrum Ed Cockcroft kicked his side into a 3 points lead.
The visitors had the chance to draw level with a long range Rutter penalty moments later, but the kick was scuffed and fell well short of the target. Cockcroft then kicked 2 further penalties on 26 minutes and 41 minutes for a 9 – 0 lead as Park still hadn’t got the bus journey out of their system.
Park did have ample first half possession, but the ball coming from the rucks was so slow and predictable, the home side drove them back with quick line speed in defence. Old Crossleyans could have scored a try shortly before Cockcroft kicked his third penalty but back row Rob Oliver chose to cut back inside with a two man overlap outside him and Park stopped the attack short of the line, at the cost of Andy Dunn going to the sin bin.
With Park down to 14 men and the half petering out, they attacked the Crossleyans 10 metre line but lively scrum half Cockcroft somehow managed to strip the ball and sped off down the right hand flank. The Park defenders gave chase but the diminutive number 9 outpaced them all for the try which he converted, and at the break it was Ed Cockcroft 16 –Percy Park 0, and to add to the visitors woes Marcus Rutter had to leave the field injuring himself in his tap tackle attempt.
The hair drier treatment was in order from the coaching staff and Park started the second half a little better with Thomas Turnbull charging down a clearance kick from Old Crocs and then diving on the ball over the try line for 5 points. The conversion by Greatham who had come on in the centre was off target.
The Yorkshiremen then picked up their game and battered the Park defences and eventually from quick recycled ball after several phases of play, player coach Chris Jones threw a long miss pass to his left taking out the scarce Percy Park defenders finding Leigh Thomas. The full back went over for the try in the corner, but the conversion was wide. Crocs now led 21 – 5 and a clear upset were on the cards.
Simon Greatham pulled back 3 points from a penalty, and then Cockcroft hit the cross bar with a long range penalty attempt.
Park picked up their game and at last began to show some energy, although the ball to the back line was so painfully slow that it was very difficult for the three-quarters to play on the front foot despite some half breaks by Ali Blair and Ash Smith. Park’s 2 wingers at this stage appeared to be suffering from frost-bite, having hardly seen the ball all game.
Old Crossleyans were defending manfully and the Park forwards piled on the pressure and with 3 consecutive penalties conceded in the “red zone” the Manchester exchange referee Andrew Daniels had no option but to sin bin Crocs skipper Chris Jones, who surprisingly for an ex-pro tried to talk his way out of a 10 minute breather , but to no avail.
Time was running out for Park, but they continued to pressure the Crocs line looking for a converted try which would at least salvage a losing bonus point. Just as Jones was about to return to the field, replacement prop Sembi was sent to the sin bin for slowing down the ball. Eventually after several phases Park crossed the line with Ponton going over for the try, and Simon Greatham held his composure to kick the conversion to lose 21 – 15.
If Old Crossleyans show this type of spirit and perform as they did against Park they should be able to do enough to avoid relegation to Yorkshire 1. On the day they fully deserved the victory and a much need 4 points. Park have a week off to lick their wounds before travelling to the Fell to take on relegation placed Gateshead.