Category: 1st XV Reports 24/25
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Saturday 14 September 2024

Heath 37 Percy Park 13

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 27-13)

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On a day that simply went from bad to worse, Park travelled to Halifax to take on Heath in their second fixture of the Regional 1 North East league season. It was the first ever senior match between the two clubs but one, with no disrespect to our hosts, that Park would probably rather forget. On arrival at the very picturesque North Dean ground it was discovered that the kit had been left on Tyneside and, as the teams were just about to take the field of play, it was realised that we did not have a touch judge! Up stepped the legend that is our Honorary Secretary Mick Ishida, a man who has held every conceivable post at Percy Park, to take the flag and an excellent job he did. If all that was not bad enough, Park were given a life at Level 5 reality check by a Heath side intent on getting back on track after a narrow opening day defeat at Ilkley. The visitors were never ever in the match and two yellow cards in the second half effectively put an end to any hope Park had of getting anything from the game.

There were several changes to the side that had beaten Driffield last time out, Josh Hedley, Oli Bartles-Smith and Matthew French were unavailable. Toby Davison came in on the left wing, Seb Reece moved into the centre to partner Will Ponton. Eddie Saint partnered Chris Reekie in the second row and in a surprise selection, centre and coach Ash Smith came in on the flank. In the continued injury absence of captain Howard Stock, Jonny Dubois again took the armband.

On a bright sunny day, warm with very little wind, Park kicked off only for the hosts to apply the early pressure. Park eventually gained possession but a long kick up field by standoff Fergus Simpson agonisingly rolled out of play behind the dead ball line and from the resulting scrum, back on the Park 22 metre line, Heath turned the screw in search of the first score which duly arrived after 6 minutes. A drive from a scrum had (I think) Heath hooker Alex McFadden crash over 5 metres in from the right touchline. Heath standoff Chris Johnson kicked an excellent conversion (7-0).

From the restart Heath attacked again, No 8 Jonny Garrity crashing through Park centre Will Ponton and in the next few minutes only the visitors scramble defence kept out the hosts, centre Seb Reece, wing Tom Robinson and flanker Ash Smith to the fore. When Park did gain some possession, it was quickly lost and on 12 minutes a kick into touch on the full gave Heath a lineout on halfway. Johnson broke through a couple of tackles and his offload to Garrity had the No 8 scoring in almost the same place as the opening score. An excellent try, converted by Johnson (14-0).

Park gained possession from the restart, and some go forward from flanker Sam Digman had Heath caught offside. Ash Smith kicked the resulting penalty on 17 minutes (14-3). Almost immediately, with the home eight in control, Park were penalised for holding on after the tackle and up stepped Johnson to kick the penalty (17-3). As the first quarter ended Heath were exerting huge pressure on the visitors and it was only a matter of time before the next score arrived. Park were missing tackles and from a scrum a series of drives had park in trouble and swift passing right had Heath centre Tom Owen dive over. Johnson again kicked an excellent conversion. 27 minutes played (24-3).

The visitors obtained a foothold in the game when, from a lineout just inside the Heath 22, the ball was moved left and after a series of drives, second row Chris Reekie crashed over on the half hour mark. The conversion was missed (24-8). Heath were quick to respond, winning a Park lineout against the head and forcing the visitors to concede a penalty which was kicked by Johnson (27-8). As the clock ticked down, Park were able to score again when a dropped ball in midfield on the Heath 10 metre line was snapped up by centre Will Ponton who scored wide out on the left on 39 minutes. Ash Smith missed the conversion (27-13) and shortly thereafter, referee David Rhodes signalled the end of the half.

HT: Heath 27 Percy Park 13

The story of the second half is simply told; one of dogged resistance by the visitors with the home side very much in control. Words must have been said in the dressing room, Heath having to wait some time before the visitors emerged onto the field of play.

Almost from the start of the half, Park were immediately under pressure with errors not helping the cause. Their first attack of the half resulted in a pass straight into touch and a strong series of drives by the Heath eight almost resulted in another try but they infringed, and Park were able to clear their lines. After 56 minutes, a Heath penalty was kicked deep into the Park 22. From the lineout catch and drive a Heath forward peeled off and although a brave last-ditch tackle from Will Ponton stopped him, standoff Chris Johnson was able to gather and stretch over for the home sides bonus point try which he converted himself (34-8).

Heath were on the rampage and only desperate defence was keeping them at bay. Park received two yellow cards as the pressure from the hosts intensified. The first, on 60 minutes, had centre Will Ponton sent to the sidelines for a deliberate knock-on and 9 minutes later, wing Toby Davison followed him for a high tackle in the shadow of the Park posts, the penalty being converted by Johnson (37-13).     

Strangely, the last 10 minutes of the half had Park in a number of good attacking positions but they were not able to capitalise and the game ended with young Park replacement Jacob German hacking on deep into the Heath half but again, they were not able to take advantage.

FT: Heath 37 Percy Park 13

In truth, a difficult day, and as mentioned earlier, a reality check on life at this level. Missing several players (as were Heath), Park were never in the hunt and it was only dogged defence that prevented Heath from winning by a bigger margin, particularly in that second half. The Heath forwards were exceptional, and the game was controlled by their halfbacks Chris Johnson and Dom Walsh. As captain for the day Jonny Dubois said post-match: “Credit where credit is due, Heath were excellent. Their pack were relentless, and we were never in it. We cannot use the excuse that we were missing players, it is what it is, and you have to make the best of it and today, we didn’t. But, as with the game against Driffield, the youngsters stepped up and they will have gained so much from the experience. We must learn the lessons from today, put the game to bed, and prepare for next Saturday”.

We thank Heath for a great game (despite the result) and their wonderful hospitality. They were magnanimous in victory and we look forward to the return game at Preston Avenue in December. We also thank them for their understanding in respect of the kit issue and their generous donation of their changed strip for the game. Thanks also to referee David Rhodes who had a great game and without whom there is no game. The only light relief on a day to forget was the Presidential skydive from the team bus which brough smiles to many faces!

The Lions did not fare well on Saturday either, losing 19-29 at home to Morpeth and on Sunday the Panthers opened their league account in NC3 North (North) at Penrith losing heavily 41-5. Next Saturday, 21 September, Park host Ilkley in Regional 1 North East, KO 3pm, hoping to get back on track while the Lions travel to Middlesbrough in the Candy League, KO also at 3pm. On Sunday 22 September, there is a double header at Preston Avenue with the Panthers hosting Alnwick in the league, KO 2pm, and our Colts side are in action in the National Cup, KO 1pm. As ever, all support would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Tom Robinson; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Will Ponton; 11 Toby Davison; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Jonny Dubois ©; 7 Ash Smith; 6 Sam Digman; 5 Eddie Saint; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Aaron Smith, Adam Hay, Jacob German  

Category: 1st XV Reports 24/25
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Saturday 7 September 2024

Percy Park 26 Driffield 25

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 21-17)

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On a day when the club remembered one of its greatest players and administrators, Peter Spencer, Park hosted Driffield in the first league game of the season, a pulsating and thoroughly entertaining match providing a fitting tribute to the great man. The pre-match lunch was a celebration of Peter’s life and a minute’s applause was held prior to kick-off on a dry, sunny afternoon, perfect for rugby with very little breeze.

Driffield, the Yorkshire Cup holders, who finished fourth in this league last year were expected to provide stern opposition and they certainly did not disappoint, taking the lead late on before Park staged an incredible fight back to take the spoils. As our Regional 1 North East adventure begun, there were some new faces in the Percy Park side, with both Jordan Carey and Matthew French making their competitive debuts and both played pivotal roles in the win. There were late changes on the bench, with Sean Nairn and young Jacob German coming in to join Will Ponton. There are still several injury absentees, notably captain Howard Stock, and so flanker Jonny Dubois took the armband.

The visitors kicked off and immediately, Park showed their attacking intent, the ball being moved swiftly left along the back line. After two minutes, Driffield moved the ball infield from a scrum, but the ball was spilled and Oli Bartles-Smith hacked on only to be denied by last ditch defence, Park giving away a penalty through over eagerness at the breakdown. Park continued to probe the Driffield defence in the early stages with No 8 Matthew French to the fore, but promising positions were lost when Driffield turned the ball over. Driffield mounted their first serious attack after eleven minutes only to lose their scrumhalf who was forced off after suffering an ankle injury. Both sides were having problems holding on to the ball, but the game exploded into life after a quarter of an hour. From a lineout on the Driffield 10 metre line, the ball was moved left but at a breakdown, swift hands right had wing Seb Reece, at speed, crash through the Driffield defence. Support from Ash Smith and a thundering run from second row Josh Hedley had Park in the shadow of the visitor’s posts. Quick hands left had stand-off Fergus Simpson give the scoring pass to debutant fullback Jordan Carey who scored wide out on the left for a great try. Ash Smith kicked an excellent conversion, 16 minutes gone (7-0).

A minute later, Park scored again. Regaining possession after the restart, flanker Sam Digman made the initial breach, the ball then being moved at speed right into the hands of Seb Reece who, from halfway scythed through the Driffield defence with barely a hand laid on him to score a superb try underneath the posts which was converted by Smith (14-0).

The restart again had Park on the attack, but a dropped ball gave Driffield No 8 Will Hughes the opportunity to run hard into Park territory and with the home side penalised for a high tackle, Driffield suddenly had a lineout deep in the Park 22. They made the home side pay, several big carries being finished off by No 8 Hughes who scored just to the right of the posts on 25 minutes. The try was converted by stand-off Josh Stanyon, Driffield back in the game (14-7). The restart saw Park on the attack but a penalty for holding on after the tackle allowed Driffield the relieving kick which, while not finding touch, was knocked on and this again gave Driffield the chance to attack, The ball was moved left and, though it appeared that the move might have broken down in the tackle, left wing Owen Scurry was able to wriggle free on the home 22 to score just to the left of the posts, Stanyon converting, 30 minutes played (14-14).

After conceding two quick tries, Park needed to steady the ship and from the restart they did, probing the Driffield defence without turning over possession. A scrum midway in the Driffield half on the left had the ball moving right for fullback Carey to join the line and put in an excellent grubber kick into the Driffield in goal area. Seb Reece gave chase, but it looked for all the world as if the Driffield wing would win the race for the ball but somehow Reece touched down, a monumental effort for a stunning try immediately signalled by referee Ricky Handa. Smith kicked another excellent conversion, 35 minutes played (21-14).

As the half ticked down, Park lost their discipline somewhat and three successive Driffield penalties, the last for not rolling away after the tackle, allowed Josh Stanyon to punish the home side from the tee bringing a breathless first half to a close (21-17).

HT: Percy Park 21 Driffield 17

Park kicked off the second half, but it was the visitors who quickly got into their stride with the home side having to defend deep in their 22. Centre Reuban Kelly was stopped a metre from the try line before the ball was knocked on as it came left. The loose ball was snapped up and Park were immediately on the attack from the turnover with Oli Bartles-Smith and replacement Will Ponton trading passes with only desperate Driffield defence preventing another Park score. Both sides were turning over possession, but both were seeking to attack immediately when presented with turnover ball. A clever 50/22 kick from Carey on 48 minutes gave Park an excellent attacking platform and for the next five minutes or so they exerted real pressure on the Driffield defence. Sam Digman, Matthew French and Josh Hedley were prominent as was Will Hughes in defence and Park thought they had scored when scrumhalf Drew Walker looked to have gone over from a breakdown on the Driffield line, but the ball had been knocked forward.

Driffield were living dangerously and only just survived a Park maul when possession was again lost as the line beckoned but, having had almost no possession at all since half time, they gained a foothold in the game when Park knocked on close to halfway which enabled Driffield to repay the compliment with an excellent 50/22 kick of their own. From the lineout, Driffield were quickly awarded a penalty just outside of the 22, kicked by Stanyon, to reduce the deficit to just one point as the third quarter ended (21-20).    

Although the Park restart faltered, they quickly regained possession and again put the visitors under sustained pressure with Driffield having to defend resolutely. Second row Josh Hedley eventually drove into the opposition 22 and with forwards and backs varying the point of attack, the damn had to break and when fellow second row Chris Reekie, running a fantastic line, crashed through two tackles to score Park thought that they had their just reward, but referee Handa signalled a double movement, penalty to Driffield. As Park looked to the referee in disbelief, Driffield fullback Joe Robinson who had been playing at scrumhalf since the eleventh minute took a quick tap penalty and less than a minute later, replacement Tom Brankley was scoring in the left-hand corner. A superb try after quick thinking by Robinson who saw the possibility with Park not concentrating after the disallowed Reekie score. However, fullback Jordan Carey, haring back, ensured Brankley touched down wide out and Stanyon missed the difficult conversion. Park stunned, 66 minutes played (21-25).

Back came Park, quickly securing possession after the restart and resorting again to all-out attack. No 8 Matthew French was immense but credit to Driffield, their defence was equal to everything the home side attempted and a breathless passage of play eventually came to an end when Park were awarded a scrum on the right in the Driffield 22. Seb Reece coming in off his wing crashed through two tackles, the ball was moved left and there was replacement Will Ponton to score the bonus point try, wide out on the left on 74 minutes, to the delight of his teammates and the home support. Ash Smith was unable to kick the difficult conversion (26-25).

The home defence kept Driffield in and around the Park 10 metre line and when they were penalised for a high tackle on 77 minutes, Stanyon was off target with the resulting penalty. Park regained possession after their 22 dropout was knocked on and they were able to see the last few minutes out relatively comfortably.

FT: Percy Park 26 Driffield 25

A fantastic match, played in a great spirit, and if this is Regional 1 rugby, then long may it continue! For Park, Matthew French, who deservedly received the Park man of the match, Josh Hedley and Sam Digman were outstanding up front while Seb Reece, Jordan Carey and, when he came on, Will Ponton were equally as good in the backs. Ash Smith kicked two very difficult conversions that ultimately saw us through but, that said, it seemed that every Park player at some point stood up to be counted in what was a fantastic team effort. A bonus point win is a great way to start the season and I have no doubt, Peter Spencer would have been proud.

Post match, coach Keith Laughlin summed up the match: “Job done! A great game, credit to Driffield, they are a good side. I thought both Jordan Carey and Seb Reece were electric today with Fergus Simpson able to get the backline moving brilliantly. We scored some great tries, and the bonus point was well deserved. What pleased me most was the way we never gave up after going behind. We had the courage and the wherewithal to come back and secure the win. As I said, a job well done!”

Driffield made Park fight hard and, particularly in the second half, their defence was outstanding. No 8 Will Hughes led by example and Joe Robinson also had an excellent game as an emergency scrumhalf. They had little possession after the break but when the opportunity arose, they were able to break out to score a spectacular length of the field try. We thank them for a great game and wish them the very best for the season and look forward to our trip to East Yorkshire for the return fixture. Our thanks also to referee Ricky Handa without whom there is no game.

The Lions did not fare as well against our Yorkshire opponents, losing 14-42, scoring two tries but conceding six.

Next week, Park travel to Halifax to take on Heath in what I believe is the first ever meeting between the sides, KO is 3pm. Closer to home, the Lions travel to Morpeth in the Candy League, KO at 3pm and on Sunday 15 September, the Panthers open their league campaign away at Penrith. All support would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Tom Robinson; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Matthew French; 7 Jonny Dubois ©; 6 Sam Digman; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements: Will Ponton, Jacob German, Sean Nairn