Saturday 5 October 2024
Percy Park 13 Alnwick 20
Northumberland Senior Cup (Semi-Final)
(HT: 0-17)
For the second week in succession, Alnwick were the visitors to Preston Avenue on Saturday last. Having narrowly lost the Regional 1 North East league game last weekend, this Northumberland Cup game gave them the chance to turn the tables on their Tyneside hosts which they achieved, courtesy of a 13-20 victory. Alnwick, the cup holders, built a commanding lead in the opening 40 minutes which Park, much improved in the second period, could not quite overturn.
There were several changes to the Park side from the league encounter with only Jonny Dubois, Nathan Newbound and Matthew French retained in the forwards and in the backs, the welcome return of both captain Howard Stock and centre Paul Spowart. The game was overseen by referee Yannick Debil.
On a bright sunny, breezy day, Alnwick kicked off and it was the visitors who had the better of the early exchanges and they very nearly scored after 5 minutes. Park, playing out of their 22, had a pass intercepted and wing Andrew Spark was only stopped a metre or so from the line with Alnwick eventually knocking on. However, they got their reward for the early pressure when, from a scrum on the Park 22 after another home knock on, a series of carries had standoff Callum Burn go over just to the right of the posts on 8 minutes, the try converted by scrumhalf James Blackett (0-7).
From the restart, Park gained some possession and momentum and gained a swift penalty when three of the Alnwick backline were caught offside. The resultant kick to the left touchline gave Park a lineout on the Alnwick 22 but the throw was not straight, and the attacking chance was lost. As the first quarter ended, Park were struggling with both indiscipline and very good Alnwick defence but in a rare foray into the visitors 22, a high tackle gave Park the opportunity to get onto the scoreboard but the resultant penalty kick was pushed wide on 20 minutes. The game became bogged down, both sides infringing frequently, but after Alnwick were awarded a scrum on the Park 22, an excellent series of drives with centre Cameron King prominent saw fellow centre Rob Cuthburt score to the right of the posts on 27 minutes. Blackett converted to extend the lead (0-14).
Park gathered from the restart and when Alnwick were penalized, both for a high tackle and for coming in at the side, Park kicked into the left corner. From the lineout, the ball was quickly into midfield but after it was turned over, Park were penalized for a high tackle and the visitors were able to clear their lines. When Park infringed yet again, off their feet at the breakdown, on their own 22 Alnwick elected to kick for goal. Blackett was on target to extend the lead on 34 minutes (0-17). In the last few minutes, both sides were unable to convert promising positions into scores through mistakes and indiscipline.
HT: Percy Park 0 Alnwick 17
Park kicked off the second half and were immediately on the attack and quickly on the scoreboard as the visitors were penalized for not rolling away after the tackle and up stepped Will Ponton from in front of the posts to kick the penalty on 43 minutes (3-17).
Park were beginning to play with width, something they had found difficult in the first half, and from a Park lineout on the Alnwick 22, the ball moved quickly left infield. At a breakdown, scrum half Tom Robinson saw the gap and ran through unopposed to score under the posts. The try was converted, 48 minutes played and Park back in the match (10-17). This stirred Alnwick into action and the next few minutes saw Park under pressure. The home side thought they had halted the visitor’s momentum after Alnwick knocked-on but Park were penalized at the resulting scrum, on their own 22, and Blackett made no mistake with the penalty kick (10-20).
The restart saw Park on the offensive but again, a knock-on gave possession to Alnwick who were quickly into opposition territory and it was only desperate defence by Park on their own try line that denied the Northumbrians. As the game entered the final quarter, Park were attempting to use width but the final pass was letting them down, too many balls spilled thus handing possession to Alnwick. However, when Alnwick themselves infringed in midfield, just outside of their 22, a successful penalty kick on 63 minutes gave the hosts hope (13-20).
Although Park showed attacking intent from the restart, Park were putting pressure on themselves in an effort to salvage the game through needless mistakes. As the 70 minute mark passed, Alnwick missed the chance to probably seal the game when they missed a relatively straightforward penalty from just outside of the Park 22 but this led to a frantic finish as Park sought the score to bring the sides level. On 76 minutes, Park won a scrum on halfway and from it, Seb Reece powered into the Alnwick half, winning a penalty. This galvanized the home side. From the lineout in the Alnwick 22, the drive rumbled forward only to be held up and Alnwick clear. Next, Park attacked right and won another penalty which was put into the right corner. Two successive lineouts were lost, much to the frustration of the Park faithful, but Alnwick infringed again and this time scrum half Robinson elected to tap and go. The forwards could not break the Alnwick defensive line and after yet another tap penalty, the ball was lost and time was called.
FT: Percy Park 13 Alnwick 20
With our Northumberland Cup run ending at the first hurdle, maintaining our excellent start in the league can now be the focus. In truth, Alnwick deserved the victory. In the first half they were much the better side and the seventeen-point half-time deficit was, on this occasion, just too much to overcome for Percy Park in a much improved second forty minutes. For Alnwick, scrum half James Blackett was excellent and, particularly in the first half, their two centres made some strong carries. For Park, Sam Digman and Tristan Grant played well in a pack that was slightly second best to their opponents and Tom Robinson had a good game at scrumhalf. We wish Alnwick well for the rest of the competition and with one win each, we look forward to the ‘decider’ at Greensfield in January.
Next Saturday, 12 October, Park travel to Wakefield to take on Sandal RUFC in our second away league game of the season. KO is at 3pm. Closer to home, the Lions take on Novos at Preston Avenue, KO also at 3pm. On Sunday 13 October, the Panthers travel to Consett in NC 3 North (North), KO 2pm. All support would be most welcome.