Regional 2 North
Percy Park RFC 39 v Keswick RUFC 22
Park and Keswick beat Jack Frost
Jack Frost did his best to get this fixture cancelled. The big freeze moved the game from grass to an artificial grass pitch (AGP) at our ‘nearest and dearest’ underpinning the decision by the RFU to provide regional AGP’s and create local club partnerships to get games played; when in ‘normal’ circumstances the fixture would have been cancelled. Of interest the only other game played in the North East region was at Billingham, again on an AGP, where our Northumberland friends at Alnwick took a bit of a battering.
Before we move to the jack-a-nory we need to make some acknowledgements. Many thanks to Whitley Bay Rockcliff for accommodating the fixture and to their Director of Rugby for taking the time to meet and assist in pitch inspections. To Keswick for making the journey over and being part of a very good game to watch. The fixture drew a large crowd and your efforts were very much appreciated by those who attended the game. As this was the only contest played within the Northumberland CB it was great to see players from across all clubs and members of the referee society down to watch. We even had a visit from Northumberland’s President Ken Fairbairn and our RFU representative Penny Stewart
The Park faithful arrived full of festive turkey and ale courtesy of the clubs Xmas lunch to be met by those who had declined to support the herculean efforts of Brian and Margaret (just saying!). The scene was set for revelations and a lot of singing. The teams entered the fray to a background of hazy cold and the sound of sleigh bells or was that the clack of frozen balls either way we kicked off and the two sides were not shy in the meeting.
Percy Park did not start well. Within minutes we had been on the end of 5 penalty decisions mainly for being off-side with Keswick taking advantage by recording the first 3 points of the game. Park needed to settle and that opportunity arrived at the scrum. This season Percy Park’s ‘8’ have been very good and have been difficult to beat in the set piece. As the two packs came together Keswick were pushed back with the ball settling nicely at the feet of Percy Parks Michael Langlands. A swift pick up found centre Ross Young taking a good line that broke through the Keswick defence. An interchange of passes with scrum half Charley Miller saw the diminutive player cross for a very good try. The conversion was missed.
Percy Park began to dominate. Keswick were struggling with Percy Park’s physicality, albeit their number 8 and scrum half were certainly enjoying the battle. Both are good players. Park’s up front advantage was giving acres of space for centre Ross Young to work in. Joined by the returning Seb Reece, Percy Park looked really strong. A Keswick ‘off side’ saw the black and whites go to the line out. A catch from Josh Hedley and a short drive saw Jonny Dubois peel off to score a well manufactured try. Again the conversion was missed. 10-3 to Percy Park.
The score line aided the festive mood on the side lines and the faithful were in a singing mood. An author’s revelation that he had seen Wham in concert at the nearby Whitley Bay Ice Rink brought a rendition of Last Christmas with Caroline (our Physio) being serenaded
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away (You gave it away)
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special (Special)
A nice moment but what I can say is… ‘No’ I didn’t throw my underpants at Andrew Ridgely!
Maybe it was the singing that put Percy Park out of step or a lapse in concentration. A few errors in the middle saw Park’s momentum slip and Keswick took advantage, playing for long periods in Percy Park’s half. We were off the pace and needed to graft a bit more. Keswick’s hard work was rewarded with a penalty chance. Michael Langlands deemed to be ‘off his feet’. The chance was missed. In the collective gather instructions were given and at the next penalty opportunity Park took the kick instead of the set piece. The penalty was good and Park kept the scoreboard ticking along at 13 points to 3.
A try quickly followed. Another score from a line-out. Good ball was collected and Park went to the rumble, moving inside. This time Chris Reekie was the beneficiary of the score with a neat pirouette off the side of the ruck. After the game, and to ensure the moment was not lost to history, the player was persuaded to replay ‘the moment’ with the reward of a hot mince pie. The conversion was missed 18 -3 the score.
I have already mentioned Keswick’s 8 and 9 partnership. They came to the fore as they combined well to attack our line. Breaking several tackles they isolated the full back before the Park’s defence finally brought the attack to an end. Percy Park needed to be aware, Keswick had a bite and although ahead we needed to be on our guard to maintain the lead.
The warning was not received and Keswick returned to the front foot scoring a good try through low drives to the line that were difficult to stop. Keswick’s scrum half was orchestrating the performance. The conversion was an easy shot in front of the posts. 18 to 10 with the half time mark approaching. With both teams aware of the clock Keswick were handed a difficult kick at goal. I’m not sure what the penalty was for, fortunately for Park, the strike drifted away from the posts. 18 to 10 at the half.
At the interval Kieran ‘two games’ Sutherland made an appearance, albeit he was reluctant to speak to his sponsor (or was he being too coy), anyway the good news is that he has recovered from his injury and should be back with us next year. Bringing much needed value for his sponsors money!
The second half started with Percy Park back on the front foot. The half time team talk benefitting the home side. Seb Reece began to extend his influence in the game with some very strong carries. One breakout was sublime, brushing off several players before the offload. Park took the ball to the gather before being stopped and knocking on in the clubhouse corner. A front five effort had Keswick rolling backwards with the ball playing ‘ping pong’ at their feet. Park got the decision and brought Keswick back to the scrum. Rolling neatly to the line Michael Langlands went a ‘tad too early’ and was stopped short of the line. Park worked hard to keep the ball alive before Niall ‘One O’ Combe struck placing the ball across the whitewash. This time Andrew Walker stepped up to convert the try. Park moved into what appeared to be an unassailable 25 to 10 lead.
A lead reinforced by some fine free flowing rugby. Park were back to their best. Michael Langlands started the romp by taking an angle into space and eating into Keswick territory. The ball was kept alive with some assured hands (despite the cold) with Jake Smith delivering the final blow. Andrew Walker converting. 32-10. Just to prove the score wasn’t a one off in the game, Seb Reece made another break and on this occasion combined with Tom Robinson along our left wing. With what appeared little space to work in, the pair managed to fashion the try. Great to watch. The conversion was good.39-10.
As we entered the last quarter Ross Young was bouncing around akin to ‘Tigger on heat’ in an attempt to keep warm, rolling his ankle as he landed. Fortunately the player walked off the pitch to be replaced from the bench. As the temperature dipped so did the home sides performance, allowing Keswick in for two quick tries near to the end of the game. The first came in the bottom left corner as Park were unable to get sufficient numbers across and the second from a penalty in front, followed by a tap and go that we did not react to. As the game wound down you could see that the players from both sides were cold and in need of a warm shower. Fortunately the referee didn’t hang around calling time on the button and dispatching the combatants, supporters and spectators to the warmth. Both sides and the referee are to be congratulated for producing a great game to watch in Baltic conditions.
And for the benefit of our own Neil ‘what’s the score’ Duffy, the final score was 39 points to 22 or 6 tries to 3.
Representing Percy Park RFC.
From 15: Andrew Walker, Howard Stock, Seb Reece, Ross Young, Tom Robinson, Toby Davison and Charley Miller.
From 8: Michael Langlands, Jake Smith, Niall Combe , Chris Reekie, Josh Hedley, Matty Atkinson, Jonny Dubois and Daniel Shuttleworth.
Finishers: Mikey Fisher, Paul Spowart and Aaron Smith.