Thursday 26 December 2024
Percy Park 31 Whitley Bay Rockcliff 18
Festive Friendly
(HT: 10-6)
As is always the case on Boxing Day, both sides gave everything in a hard-fought encounter, but it was Park, after a tight first half, who turned on the gas in the third quarter to score three tries and effectively put the contest beyond the visitors’ reach despite a late Rockcliff fightback to retain the Moore Cup.
In the first half, both sides looked evenly matched. Park scored early through hooker Jonny Dubois though the score was unconverted. Rockcliff standoff Jack Rendles (a guest from North Shields RFC) reduced the deficit through a penalty only for wing Mack Bridges to touch down wide out, the try also being unconverted. A late Rendles penalty again reduced the deficit.
HT: Percy Park 10 Whitley Bay Rockcliff 6
Three tries from the home side in the first twenty minutes of the second half put the contest beyond Rockcliff with, firstly, centre Harry Paul finishing off a real team try, forwards and backs all involved, to score in the left corner, fellow centre Paul Spowart converting (17-6).
Shortly afterwards, Park broke at pace from their own half for Mack Bridges to score his second try in the right corner with Spowart converting (24-6). As the third quarter ended, a perfectly executed catch and drive had Eddie Saint scoring, Spowart again converting (31-6).
To their great credit, Rockcliff refused to fold and two late tries from replacement Ciaran Bounds and scrumhalf Sam Train after sustained Rockcliff pressure was no more than they deserved. Rendles was able to convert the latter.
FT: Percy Park 31 Whitley Bay Rockcliff 18
A good, hard game played in the right spirit in front of a large appreciative crowd, and it was a delighted home skipper, Jay Bartoli, who accepted the trophy post-match. But this Boxing Day fixture is not just about rugby; the bond between the two clubs, the camaraderie and the banter were so evident in the clubhouse afterwards so long may this fixture, which dates back to the nineteenth century, continue. It was great to see Jamie Wrigley back in a Park shirt too.
The senior fixture was preceded by the Colts game, played for the Albi Durhin Cup. In an exciting game, it was Park with their dangerous backs who had the upper hand over the more powerful Rockcliff forwards. Tries from centre Matt Dunn and second row Ewan Charlton opened up a 10-0 lead for the home side at the break but in the second half, the Rockcliff forwards began to take control. Two tries from No 8 Idris Pritchard, one from a catch and drive and one from a tapped penalty put the visitors ahead but when home standoff George Bogg intercepted a stray pass to score, Park led 15-12 going into the final few minutes but Rockcliff were not to be denied. A yellow card for Park fullback Joe Wotton seemed to further galvanise the already dominant visiting forwards and two late tries, both again from the excellent Pritchard with one a superb break from some fifty metres out, gave Rockcliff a well-deserved victory 15-24.
As always, our grateful thanks to the players, officials, volunteers and staff who give up their Boxing Day for us to enjoy the two games. All in all, it was a fantastic day and we thank Rockcliff and look forward to Boxing Day next year!
Next week, it’s all about Alnwick! On Saturday 4 January, our 1st XV travel to Greensfield to take on Alnwick in Regional 1 North East, KO 2pm, accompanied by the Lions to also take on Alnwick 2’s in the Candy League, KO also 2pm. On Sunday, 5 January, it is the turn of the Panthers to travel north to our Northumbrian rivals to take on the Alnwick ladies, KO 2pm. All support would be most welcome.