Percy Park Pumas 3rd XV open their season with a thriller
Northern RFC 66- Percy Park Pumas 57
If there was ever a game that defined what rugby was all about it was this one.
With both sides trying to resurrect their respective 3rd teams it was a very eclectic mix of players that took to the pitch on what turned out to be 80 minutes of entertainment.
With both sides struggling for numbers the gaps were filled by students from Northumbria Uni.
True it maybe couldn’t be put into the champagne rugby bracket but what it may have lacked in skill it made up for with hard work and enthusiasm.
Park saw the return of a number of players who were pulling their boots on for the first time in 3 years since playing in the juniors alongside some older ”only slightly” players.
Despite this being the first time that they had played together there was spells where the quality of rugby was top drawer.
The game turned into a try fest from the first try to Park in the 4th minute to the last try in the 80th minute which went to Northern.
Both sides converting most of their tries the score racked up with final honours going to Northern with a score of 66-57.
The crowd were kept entertained with end to end rugby for the full 80 minutes and although it may not have been champagne rugby it could never be described as boring.
The overall performance bodes well for the future and with a number of players returning to the fold things are looking up for the future.
Percy Park Man of the match was Rob Darby