Saturday 1 March 2025

Percy Park 7 Blaydon 32

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 7-25)

In the clubhouse pre-match, all of the talk from both sets of supporters was that this was a ‘must win’ game for both clubs, the threat of relegation for both sides now a real possibility with just four games remaining in the regular league season. Yes, there were murmurings that Blaydon had recently been able to strengthen their side but, after last weeks big win over Sandal, there were high hopes of a Park derby day victory over our North-East rivals but those hopes were cruelly dashed very quickly, Blaydon taking early control and effectively being out of sight as the first quarter ended. In what can only be described as a shocking first half performance, Park were 7-25 adrift at half-time and although the second half effort was much better, the home side never looked as though they could claw back the deficit and at the final whistle, were well beaten. The frustrating thing was that in the second half we were more than able to compete with the visitors and had we done so from the start, it might have been a different game. But take nothing away from Blaydon, they looked like a top of the table side in that opening half, not a side at the bottom and after this performance, will be very confident going into their last three games.

There were, as usual, changes to the side that defeated Sandal last time out. Ash Smith returned to the side at fullback in place of Paul Spowart who dropped to the replacements bench. Seb Reece returned to the centre to partner Fergus Simpson with Ross Young reverting to his normal left wing position in place of Sol Kench. Our forward talisman and coach Keith Laughlin, so influential over the past few weeks, was unavailable to face his old side with Matthew French coming in as No 8. Leo Caulfield returned for the suspended Jonny Dubois in the back row, Karl Thompson returned to the second row with Sam Digman reverting to prop in place of Michael Birkett. Otis Collingbourne and Louis Adamson joined Spowart on the replacements bench.

On a dry, slightly overcast day with almost no breeze, perfect conditions for the game, Blaydon kicked off and within two minutes were ahead on the scoreboard. Park were penalised almost immediately from the start for a high tackle, Blaydon kicking into the left corner. The catch and drive was held and as the ball was moved at speed right, the home side strayed offside in front of their posts, Blaydon scrumhalf John Clarkson kicking the goal (0-3).

From the restart, Blaydon were quickly into the Park half, and when they moved the ball right, again at speed with quick hands, wing Kevin Slow (who was anything but) powered onto the ball with pace to race in at the right corner to score an excellent try on five minutes. There were grumblings on the sidelines about a possible forward pass but referee Ricki Handa gave the score. Clarkson missed the difficult conversion from wide out (0-8).

Things went from bad to worse just five minutes later when, after Park were caught offside just in their own half, Blaydon kicked the resultant penalty deep into the home 22. The catch and drive was held but when the ball was moved left, centre Ewan Greenlaw followed by several of their big forwards made ground almost to the home line. A clever change of direction from Clarkson opened space for standoff Dan Marshall to scamper over to the right of the posts. The conversion was missed, ten minutes played (0-13).

Park had barely laid hands on the ball and up front, appeared to have no answer to the physicality of the Blaydon forwards. The visiting backs were also proving to be quick and elusive, with everything about the visitors being high tempo. The home side were unable to keep any meaningful possession with the pressure Blaydon were exerting leading to indiscipline which referee Handa was only too happy to punish. When Park did get the ball, possession was quickly turned over, for example, second row Chris Reekie intercepted a pass and stormed forward only for the recycled ball to be kicked straight into touch. As the game moved into the second quarter Blaydon struck again. From a lineout on half way, Greenlaw again powered into Park territory, winning a penalty as a Park forward failed to roll away after the tackle. The penalty was kicked to the 22 metre line on the left touchline. Park immediately infringed again when a Blaydon jumper was illegally played in the air. Blaydon kicked to the corner and as the catch and drive edged towards the tryline, prop Sam Digman was adjudged to have deliberately collapsed the maul, a penalty try awarded by referee Handa and Digman given a yellow card on twenty-six minutes (0-20).

At this point, with the game ebbing away from the home side, Blaydon took advantage of the extra man on the half hour when, from yet another lineout deep in the Park 22, resulting from a home infringement, Park were unable to halt the ensuing maul with visiting No 8 Ethan Clarke powering over to score their bonus point try in the right corner. Clarkson missed the difficult conversion, the game effectively over (0-25).

As the clock entered the red at the end of the half, Park suddenly found some go forward. A fiercely contested ruck on half way had Blaydon penalised and quickly marched 10 metres back after questioning the referee’s decision. Centre Fergus Simpson kicked the penalty into the Blaydon 22. A throw to the back of the lineout quickly had the ball into midfield where scrumhalf Jacob German, seeing space, evaded several tackles in a scything run to score to the right of the posts, an excellent try converted by the lad himself (7-25). The referee immediately signalled half time, a sobering forty minutes for Park who were barely in the contest, the last second try at least offering some hope for the second half.

HT: Percy Park 7 Blaydon 25

Park kicked off the second half and were immediately on the defensive, Blaydon dominating possession with the home side unable to exit their half. However, in terms of defence and discipline Park were much improved from the opening period but on fifty minutes, after holding the visitors at bay in and around their 22 metre line, Park conceded yet again when, after containing a number of big carries, too many players were committed defensively and when Blaydon moved right at speed, centre Greenlaw found the space to score under the posts, Clarkson converting (7-32).

The score appeared to galvanise Park who, for the next ten minutes or so, enjoyed their best period of the game, quickly winning a penalty (high tackle) from the restart which was kicked into the Blaydon 22 but a poor lineout turned over possession immediately. When the visitors were again penalised for the same offence, Park gained some traction, a great break by skipper Howard Stock putting Park into the visitors 22, only for a knock-on as the ball was moved from the breakdown to again hand possession back to Blaydon who promptly infringed again in front of their posts on the hour mark. A tap and go had Park on the Blaydon tryline but they were penalised for not releasing the ball and the chance was lost. It was as close as Park came to a second half score.

As the game entered the last twenty minutes, Blaydon gained the ascendancy in terms of both territory and possession, Park unable to hold on to the ball and even when the visitors were reduced to fourteen, replacement flanker Samuela Tabuavuaka yellow carded for a no arms tackle on sixty-four minutes, the home side were unable to take advantage. With Park getting some possession, due mainly to Blaydon profligacy, they tried to attack through their backline but good Blaydon defence kept the home side pinned in their own half. As the game ended, Blaydon were attacking from a scrum awarded after another poor Park lineout.

FT: Percy Park 7 Blaydon 32

A hugely disappointing game from a home perspective, especially given the significance of the result in terms of possible relegation. The alarming fact is that twice in the last few weeks, Park have faced the bottom side in the league here at Preston Avenue (Selby in early February and now Blaydon) in vital games and in both have played so poorly. It is frustrating when compared with our games at high flying Scunthorpe and York, both of which we could and should have won. In the opening twenty minutes of the game today, Park could not cope with the physicality and speed of thought of the visitors, who thoroughly deserved their victory. Their big ball carriers were always able to breach the gain line and defensively, they stopped the Park forwards in their tracks. Starved of any meaningful possession, the Park backs could only defend. A malfunctioning lineout, poor line kicks and indiscipline did not help the home cause.

Four tries to the good after half an hour, Park were shell shocked and although the second half performance was much better, in truth they only seriously threatened the Blaydon try line once in that second half. Post match, player coach Ash Smith was too disappointed to speak, as were many of the players, but hooker Dan Shuttleworth had this to say: “You could not quote what I really think, we were awful. Nothing seemed to go right. Blaydon were up for it, I honestly thought we were, but after twenty, twenty-five minutes, it was all over. I just wanted the game to end, we were that bad.”

For Park, Tristan Grant and Chris Reekie tried to give the team some go forward and Jacob German played well in a losing effort, scoring a great try at the end of the first half and never shirking his defensive duties. For Blaydon, their forwards were excellent and in midfield, centre Ewan Greenlaw had an excellent game. Their half backs Marshall and Clarkson dictated the game and had Blaydon constantly on the front foot. We thank Blaydon for a tough but fair game (if not the result!) and hope that they enjoyed our hospitality. We also thank our match referee Ricky Handa and our sponsors for the game, Marine Safety Supplies.

The result still leaves Blaydon bottom of Regional 1 North East on 31 points, one point adrift of Park on 32 points. Selby, courtesy of a great 24-27 win at Scunthorpe, move out of the bottom two on 34 points. Blaydon face Sandal (H), Scunthorpe (A) and Selby (H) in their last three games, Selby face Alnwick (A), York (H), Blaydon (A) while Park play Cleckheaton (A), Huddersfield (H) and Driffield (A). It will be a tense end to the league season.

As noted above, the 1^st XV travel to Cleckheaton next week, KO is 3 pm. For those unable to travel, the Panthers take on Rockcliff at Preston Avenue on Saturday, KO 2pm, and celebrate International Women’s Day in the process. It will be a lively clubhouse for sure post-match! The Lions are also at home on Saturday when they take on Billingham, KO is 3pm.

England play Scotland here in an U19 Men’s International on Saturday, 26 April, KO 2pm. Full details of ticketing and hospitality can be found on the club website and social media platforms.

Percy Park: 15 Ash Smith; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Ross Young; 10 Jordan Carey; 9 Jacob German; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Jake Smith; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Karl Thompson; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Paul Spowart; Otis Collingbourne; Louis Adamson

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Saturday 22 February 2025

Percy Park 50 Sandal 9

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 12-9)

At long last! Park finally had a win to celebrate after a blistering second half performance dismantled visitors Sandal to give the team a huge lift and confidence boost ahead of this Saturday’s key game against local rivals Blaydon at Preston Avenue. After a tight first half that the home side just about shaded, a six try second half blitz racked up a commanding 50-9 victory that the lads thoroughly deserved. After recent agonising defeats at Scunthorpe and York, this was just what the team needed and the win takes them out of the relegation places with bottom club Blaydon visiting at the weekend.   

There were changes to the side that lost narrowly at York last week with both centres, Seb Reece and Oli Bartles-Smith, missing. In came the returning Fergus Simpson and, making his first start of the season after long term injury, Ross Young. Up front, Michael Birkett came in for Aaron Smith in the front row. Karl Thompson was originally selected but illness forced a reshuffle, Karl dropping to the replacements bench alongside Matthew French and Freddie Hara.

On a bright day with a brisk breeze, Sandal kicked off and within a minute had scored the opening points of the game. Park were penalised from the kick-off for holding on in the tackle and up stepped Sandal centre Thomas Hodson to kick the goal (0-3). From the restart Park quickly got into their stride, the ball moving swiftly right and when Sandal infringed at the breakdown, the resultant kick was put into the right corner. A text book catch and drive had flanker Jonny Dubois score on four minutes, fullback Paul Spowart missing the difficult conversion from wide out (5-3).

From the restart, Park put themselves under immediate pressure when they knocked on inside their own 22. The visitors attacked from the scrum and when Park strayed offside up stepped Hodson to put Sandal back in front on the scoreboard, nine minutes played (5-6). The game then seemed to settle down in midfield, one foray into the Sandal 22 spoiled by a poor attacking home lineout in the right corner. As the game entered the second quarter, a flare up and exchange of punches saw referee Cam Livingstone red card Sandal No 8 Declan Thompson followed immediately by the same for Park flanker Jonny Dubois. It looked fairly innocuous from my vantage point on the far side from where the incident occurred but the referee was right there and had no hesitation in sending both players off, Thompson for the initial punches, Dubois for retaliation.

The game settled into an attritional midfield slog, both sides seemingly finding it difficult to acclimatise to playing with fourteen men. This changed in an instant on thirty-three minutes when, after Sandal were penalised for a high tackle, a quick tap penalty and lightning pace from the returning Young had the Sandal defence at sixes and sevens and after the move broke down, there was scrumhalf Jacob German with a superb side-step and electric pace to score a fantastic try by the posts, Spowart converting (12-6).   

As the clock ticked down on the first half, Sandal had the hosts under pressure with a penalty kick on half way being missed but as Park attempted to play out of their own 22, a dropped pass gave Sandal the scrum and when the ball was moved Park were caught offside and with the last kick of the half, Hodson converted the penalty (12-9).

HT: Percy Park 12 Sandal 9

The second half began with Park winning the early exchanges but both sides were guilty of poor handling and indiscipline which hampered any meaningful progress. When Park were awarded a penalty midway in the Sandal half after the visitors were penalised for holding on in the tackle, uncharacteristic back chat from skipper Howard Stock had the decision reversed by referee Livingstone. Sandal failed to capitalize and back came the home side, winning another breakdown penalty inside the Sandal half. Quick thinking again by Ross Young with a quick tap and go had Park deep into the visitors 22 and when the ball was moved left the Park forwards were held up over the line by excellent Sandal defence but they had strayed offside and Park went for the left corner. The catch and drive was held but Sandal infringed again and with the penalty advantage a cross field kick came to nought and Park again kicked to the left corner. This time, a perfect catch and drive had hooker Dan Shuttleworth scoring in the left-hand corner on fifty-two minutes with Spowart kicking an excellent conversion from the left touchline (19-9).  

Two minutes later, Park scored the bonus point try. A clearance kick from the inside the Park 22 found space and when gathered by standoff Jordan Carey, the hosts were quickly into the Sandal 22. The ball was moved swiftly left with wing Sol Kench taking on the last defender on the outside and showing a clean pair of heels to run around for another excellent try to the left of the posts. Spowart converted (26-9).

Park had Sandal under pressure from the restart, with the visitors unable to move beyond their own 10 metre line but two quick penalties conceded by the home side could not be capitalized upon again as Sandal quickly knocked on from the second, a tap and go. Excellent kicking by Carey had Sandal again pinned in their own half and when they did try to play out wide from deep on the hour, there was the standoff to intercept a pass to canter in under the posts, Spowart converting to put the home side effectively out of sight (33-9).

Park scored again from the restart, the ball gathered and moved left. A fantastic break from Ross Young along the left touchline and two inside passes had scrumhalf Jacob German in under the posts on sixty-three minutes for Spowart to convert (40-9). Sandal refused to buckle and enjoyed a period of possession in the next few minutes but could not make progress beyond the Park 10 metre line until an overlong clearance kick gave them a scrum on the Park 22. Sandal were struggling to get over the gain line with repeated drives and when they changed tack with a cross field kick left Park quickly regained possession and a kick chase along the left touchline had Park back deep in Sandal territory. Winning a scrum in midfield, the ball was moved quickly right to wing Howard Stock who, with a quick side step was away, evading two tackles to score a great try in the right corner on seventy-three minutes. Spowart missed the difficult conversion (45-9).

The restart kick went straight into touch and from the scrum, quick hands appeared to have put fullback Paul Spowart in for a try but referee Livingstone had seen a forward pass in the build-up. Sandal quickly surrendered possession from the scrum with home No 8 Keith Laughlin putting in an excellent kick to the left corner and from the lineout Sandal were trapped on their own try line. When they did eventually escape, a great break from left wing Chris Atkinson, they knocked on in midfield and from the scrum, Park centre Fergus Simpson made the break, the ball was moved quickly left after he was tackled and there was standoff Jordan Carey to score his second try out wide on the left on 79 minutes. The conversion was missed (50-9).

FT: Percy Park 50 Sandal 9

There were smiles all round at the final whistle after a well deserved victory and relief that a long overdue win had been achieved. Keith Laughlin was again excellent up front for Park, half backs Carey and German controlled the game and Ross Young showed what the team have been missing all season with some excellent running. The only blemish on a great day’s rugby were the two red cards, but both sides had no issue with the referee’s decision. The loss of No 8 Thompson, who up to that point had been very influential, affected Sandal, particularly in the second half when their pack faded badly. To be fair, our visitors were not at full strength due to injury and unavailability but they are problems that we have faced all season and, credit to Sandal, they never gave up.

Not able to stay post-match, I was unable to speak to a player or coach for a view of the game but am sure that the players will have very much enjoyed their evening after the win. However, thoughts were probably already turning to the next game, at home to bottom club Blaydon this coming Saturday, KO at 3pm (It is March so we revert to a 3 o’clock kick off time). All support for this crucial game would be most welcome. The Lions entertain Northern on Saturday, KO is also at 3pm. The Panthers have a rest day but, on Sunday last, entertained Houghton in a hastily arranged friendly fixture, winning 31-14.

Percy Park: 15 Paul Spowart; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ross Young; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Sol Kench; 10 Jordan Carey; 9 Jacob German; 8 Keith Laughlin; 7 Jonny Dubois; 6 Jake Smith; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sam Digman; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Michael Birkett

Replacements: Karl Thompson; Matthew French: Freddie Hara

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Saturday 15 February 2025

York 22 Percy Park 20

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 10-13)

For the fourth time in five games since the new year, Park were on the road, making the trip to York on Saturday hoping to find that elusive win after nine straight losses. In a tight, tough but exciting encounter they so nearly pulled off the win, a home try just five minutes before the end ensuring an agonising two point defeat. It was an excellent performance that had the York faithful, post-match, wondering just how they had won the game. With both Selby and Blaydon winning their respective matches, Park slip into the two relegation places (subject of course to the vagaries of the RFU) but the journey home saw an upbeat side confident that a win is just around the corner with two successive home games next up.

As has been the case all season, there were changes to the side defeated at Alnwick last week due to injury and unavailability. Paul Spowart moved from centre to fullback, replacing Will Ponton who begins a sojourn to New Zealand to further his rugby career (we wish him well), with Oli Bartles-Smith partnering Seb Reece in midfield. Coach Keith Laughlin came into the back row to replace the injured Matthew French with Jake Smith making a welcome return on the flank. The versatile Sam Digman moved to the second row to partner Chris Reekie. On the replacements bench, Nathan Newbound made a welcome return to the 1^st XV squad alongside Michael Birkett and debutant Freddie Hara.

On a dull, murky, overcast day York kicked off with the floodlights already necessary for a 3 pm start. Park started well, an early Howard Stock run along the right touchline catching York offside as the ball was moved infield on the home 22. Fullback Paul Spowart was narrowly wide with the kick at goal after three minutes. Park attacked again after strong running from Spowart and half backs Jordan Carey and Jacob German but York were able to clear their lines after the visitors were penalised for not releasing the ball in the tackle. Back came Park, a kick and chase along the left touchline by wing Sol Kench, who was tackled just short of the York line, leading to a home infringement, the resulting penalty kick being put into the left corner. An excellent catch and drive had hooker Dan Shuttleworth touch down for the opening score on seven minutes. Spowart was unable to kick the difficult conversion (0-5).

York gained possession from the restart and a series of drives were well defended around the Park 10 metre line with only Park indiscipline gifting them a way into the visiting 22 and the home side took full advantage, strong running in midfield eventually allowing York fullback Liam Hessay the space to cross to the right of the posts on fifteen minutes. Centre Will Fordy converted (7-5).

From the restart, what appeared to everyone watching to be a hard but legitimate tackle from Chris Reekie earned the second row an immediate yellow card from referee Kristian Garland (for head on head contact) which did appear somewhat harsh. However, it spurred Park on with the visitors earning a penalty after a high tackle on the home 10 metre line. Spowart’s attempt at goal fell agonizingly short on twenty-one minutes. The visitors kept up the pressure, keeping possession and only denied by a knock-on almost on the York try line. A poor clearance from the resulting scrum again put the home side under pressure and another high tackle on the home 22 gave Spowart another opportunity to kick for goal but his kick was narrowly wide on the half hour.

The home side were penalised again from the restart, side entry to the ruck, with the penalty kicked deep into the York 22. The resultant catch and drive was stopped on the line but with the home side being repeatedly penalised, Park eventually elected to kick for goal in front of the posts, duly converted by Spowart to give the visitors a narrow lead on thirty-four minutes (7-8).

A strong attack along the left touchline was halted when Park knocked-on allowing a York scrum on the Park 10 metre line. From there, they quickly gained territory, Park straying offside just inside their own 22 which enabled Fordy to kick the penalty goal on 38 minutes (10-8). With little over a minute to play before the break, a great chase from the restart put pressure on the home side, a poor clearance kick enabling Park to win a penalty at the ruck with York over the top. The kick was put into the right corner and another excellent catch and drive had Shuttleworth scoring again. Spowart missed the conversion from the right touchline, the last action of the first half (10-13).

HT: York 10 Percy Park 13

Park kicked off the second half and again, started the better side. York conceded two relatively quick penalties allowing the visitors a lineout in the home 22 but the throw was deemed not straight and the advantage was lost. In those early exchanges York were struggling for momentum but a good kick and chase along the left touchline had Park scrambling in defence, scrumhalf Jacob German with an excellent clearance averting the danger. Both sides were now willing to attack when in possession but as the third quarter ended, two quick ruck penalties had the home side with a lineout in the left corner. The catch and drive was held after superb Park defence on their own line and it seemed that the ball had been turned over but Park were deemed to have knocked the ball forward giving the scrum to the home side in front of the Park posts. The ball was moved right with, eventually, Will Fordy exploiting a gap in the defensive line to score to the right of the posts on the hour which he converted (17-13).

York came again after the restart, Park quickly conceding a penalty after a high tackle on their own 10 metre line with Fordy electing to kick for goal but he was off target, much to the relief of the Park faithful. Replacement Nathan Newbound, with a great break into midfield, had York scrambling in defence but as the ball was moved left a pass was missed and the ball rolled into touch. Park took the York lineout and won a scrum penalty shortly afterwards to put the home side under sustained pressure, repeated ruck infringements eventually leading to a York yellow card. A kick to the right corner, another good catch and drive had Park scoring again through Dan Shuttleworth on seventy minutes, Spowart kicking an excellent conversion from the right touchline (17-20).

With time running out, Park gifted York possession and territory after conceding two quick penalties through indiscipline, York with a lineout in the visiting 22 on the left touchline. The ball came infield and good Park defence seemed to have contained the threat but when Park moved up too quickly, York fullback Hessay saw the gap to go over to the right of the posts to put the home side ahead on seventy-five minutes (22-20).

In the remaining few minutes, Park conceded penalties which gave York the opportunity to see out the game which they did to take the win.

FT: York 22 Percy Park 20

One of our best performances of the season, even in defeat, and it was a game we really should and could have won. There was no sense of despondency after the game with the team sensing that there is that elusive win just around the corner, a sentiment echoed by skipper Howard Stock post-match: “I thought we played really well and deserved to win, as we did at Scunthorpe a few weeks ago. Our forwards were outstanding and I could not have asked for more and we gave them problems out wide as well. In truth, their tries all should have been stopped, they were defensive errors more than anything else. I didn’t understand some of the referee’s decisions and, to be fair, I thought they should have had a card for persistent penalties in the first half but it is what it is. Against Selby we were poor, our only bad performance since Christmas in our only home game, but there is a performance in the team and with two home games coming up, what better time to deliver it”.

For Park, Keith Laughlin was outstanding as was Sam Digman up front with Jordan Carey and Jacob German playing well at halfback. It was good to see Jake Smith back and he played well, as of course did hat trick hero Dan Shuttleworth. The backs offered threat whenever they had the ball but, credit to York, they took their opportunities to win the game. Congratulations to York prop Ed Westaby on his 100^th appearance for the club, he played well. It was a good, hard encounter and we thank York for the game and their hospitality and wish them well for the rest of the season. We also thank referee Kristian Garland.

Saturday’s results mean that Park have slipped to second bottom, just one point above local rivals Blaydon, but with successive home games to come (including Blaydon on 1 March), there is much still to play for and, as captain Howard Stock alluded to, there is a win just around the corner.

The Lions travelled to Northern on Saturday losing a close game 31-24 and the Panthers arranged a home friendly with Houghton Hornets winning 31-14. Next Saturday see the 1^st XV take on Sandal in a league game at Preston Avenue, KO 2pm. There are no fixtures scheduled for either the Lions or the Panthers but keep up to date on social media for any fixture updates.

Percy Park: 15 Paul Spowart; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Oli Bartles-Smith; 11 Sol Kench; 10 Jordan Carey; 9 Jacob German; 8 Keith Laughlin; 7 Jonny Dubois; 6 Jake Smith; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sam Digman; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements: Nathan Newbound, Michael Birkett; Freddie Hara

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Saturday 8 February 2025

Alnwick 41 Percy Park 10

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 17-3)

Park travelled the (relatively) short distance north to take on our old friends and rivals Alnwick and, in an attritional, dour encounter, suffered a heavy defeat, their nineth in succession. It was an improved performance after the defeat at home to Selby last week but with a side weakened by injury and unavailability, the hosts proved just too strong although the final score was a little flattering to the home side.

There were changes to the side that took to the field against Selby, which has been the case so often this season, with Seb Reece moving into the centre to replace the injured Ash Smith, Sol Kench taking his place on the left wing. Jordan Carey replaced the injured Fergus Simpson at standoff and in the forwards, Dan Shuttleworth returned as hooker, Sam Digman reverted to prop to replace the injured Tristan Grant, Chris Reekie replaced Josh Hedley in the second row and Karl Thompson returned on the flank. Oli Bartles-Smith made a welcome return to the replacements bench alongside Otis Collingbourne and Michael Birkett.

On a cold overcast day with a heavy pitch, Alnwick kicked off and a break by the home outside centre Alex Robson had Alnwick in the visitors 22, gaining a scrum after the visitors knocked on. As the Park eight were moved ominously backward, the ball was moved left only for the Alnwick standoff and captain Callum Burn to wrong foot the Park defence with a scything arc right from the 22 to score to the right if the posts with barely a hand laid on him. Scrumhalf James Blackett kicked the conversion, just three minutes played (7-0).

From the restart, Park lost their own lineout in the Alnwick 22, regaining possession from a box kick that failed to find touch but as the ball was moved left a fierce counter ruck at the breakdown had Alnwick hacking on with Park scrambling to touch the ball down in goal. From the goal line drop out Alnwick knocked on, as they did again shortly afterwards which allowed the visitors to scrum in home territory, midfield. A break from the scrum was stopped by a high tackle with Park electing to kick for goal and up stepped centre Paul Spowart to kick the penalty on nine minutes (7-3).

The game seemed to then settle into a game of kick tennis with the most significant factor being that Park had lost almost every lineout, three of which were on their own throw. As the first quarter ended, Alnwick were using their big forwards to drive into the visiting 22 but excellent Park defence won a penalty and the visitors were able to clear their lines Despite struggling in the lineout, Park began to gain possession and territory with the Alnwick penalty count increasing but they could not find the necessary cutting edge and when Park were penalised for tackling an Alnwick player without the ball it gave the home side the opportunity to attack from the resultant lineout midway in the Park half on the left touchline. As Park infringed again on their 22 (not rolling away) the penalty was kicked into the right corner and the catch and drive had hooker Duncan Smith (on his 200^th appearance for the club) scoring the try on 28 minutes, Blackett kicking an excellent conversion from wide out (14-3).

Again, perhaps because of the very heavy pitch, both sides reverted to the kicking game with Park gaining plenty of possession but unable to get beyond the Alnwick 22. The home side were able to relieve the pressure due to Park indiscipline or handling errors and when they did have the ball, Alnwick were content to use their forwards as a battering ram. As the clock moved into the red at the end of the half, the visitors conceded a penalty on their own 10 metre line in midfield (side entry into the ruck) and with the last kick of the opening forty minutes, Blackett kicked the goal (17-3).

HT: Alnwick 17 Percy Park 3

The visitors kicked off the second half, but the home side were quickly into their stride, again using their forwards to gain ground through the midfield. Park were quickly penalised for not rolling away after the tackle and Blackett kicked the penalty after forty-two minutes (20-3).

Park were quickly penalised again for a no arms tackle which allowed Alnwick to get back into the visiting half and this was followed, perhaps because of the energy sapping conditions, by another bout of kick tennis. Park did start to attempt to put the ball wide but mistakes gifted possession back to the home side. A Park scrum in midfield had, for the first time, the Alnwick eight retreating but the resulting penalty kick to touch was missed, giving hard won possession straight back to the hosts. A period of Park possession in and around the Alnwick 22 yielded no reward as tenacious Alnwick defence prevented any breach of the gain line.

After holding their own for the opening fifteen minutes of the half, Park conceded a lineout on the visiting 22 on the right. A series of drives had the home forwards on the Park tryline with only desperate defence keeping them out but, eventually, with no cover left, standoff Callum Burn was able to jink his way over the line to score under the posts on fifty-seven minutes. Blackett kicked the conversion (27-3).

From the restart Alnwick were immediately on the attack, two quick penalties gifting them territory that put the visitors under huge pressure. Excellent defence was rewarded when Alnwick knocked on, danger averted. Park were able to gain some momentum and a lineout just inside the home 22. Sam Digman drove into the home defence but as the move broke down, Park No 8 Matthew French suffered a serious looking knee injury that held up play for several minutes. Park attempted to play wide from a scrum when the game restarted but the ball quickly went to ground again gifting the home side possession. Park were still struggling in the lineout and another lost throw on halfway enabled Alnwick to put pressure on the visitors in and around their 22. Some hard defending saw second row Chris Reekie suffer a nasty facial injury that required him to leave the field.

Alnwick conceded a penalty shortly thereafter which allowed the visitors to relieve the pressure, but Park again lost the lineout on their own throw and Alnwick attacked midfield through their forwards, No 8 Ben Gothorp, with a quick change of direction, wrong footing the defence to score to the right of the posts on seventy-three minutes. Blackett converted (34-3). Alnwick were quickly into the visiting half, their forwards rampaging to the 22 but as the ball was moved left standoff Jordan Carey intercepted the move and kicked downfield to win a 50/22 lineout which was quickly taken by quick thinking scrumhalf Jacob German, completely catching the home defence cold, Sol Kench able to score under the posts, Spowart converting on seventy-seven minutes (34-10).

There was still time for the home side to add to their score. From the restart, Park lost the ball attempting to play out of their 22 enabling Alnwick to turn the screw. They were held up over the line but forced a 5 metre lineout in the right corner. The catch and drive was finished by (I think) hooker Duncan Smith, Blackett converting with the last kick of the game (41-10).

FT: Alnwick 41 Percy Park 10

Another tough day at the office for Park with more injury problems as both Matthew French and Chris Reekie were forced to leave the field. All credit to Alnwick, their forwards were mostly dominant and in the main, they kept it tight, using their big ball carriers to good effect and they deserved the victory. Park struggled with their lineout and their kicking game was not always accurate, but they stayed in the fight and the last two Alnwick tries were scored only after the loss of influential forwards French and Reekie. We thank Alnwick for a hard but fair match and for their hospitality. We also thank our referee for the day Cam Livingstone.

There is no let up for the lads as this coming Saturday they travel to high flying York in a league encounter, KO is 3pm. Closer to home, the Lions travel to Northern, KO 2pm while the Panthers, after a hard fought 14-17 win at Gateshead, have a rest weekend. All support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Sol Kench; 10 Jordan Carey; 9 Jacob German; 8 Matthew French; 7 Jonny Dubois; Karl Thompson; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements: Oli Bartles-Smith, Otis Collingbourne; Michael Birkett

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