Saturday 18 January 2025

Scunthorpe 35 Percy Park 29

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 21-21)

Percy Park travelled to league leaders Scunthorpe on Saturday for their first ever visit to Heslam Park, looking to put in a much improved performance from the 7-62 reverse suffered at Preston Avenue in October and my word, they did not disappoint, taking the game to the wire and seeing a certain late score not given which would have won them the game. It was no more than they deserved, taking the game to Scunthorpe in what was a hard physical game played on a heavy pitch, but they did gain two vital bonus points to give themselves a six point cushion over Blaydon and Selby with games in hand. It was a hard battle with, sadly, both Leo Caulfield and Tom Robinson picking up injuries, the latter necessitating a lengthy second half stoppage and a trip to hospital though thankfully he is now home but facing a long period on the sidelines. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Injury and unavailability meant that up front Park were missing Aaron Smith, Matt Atkinson, Chris Reekie and Jonny Dubois and in the backline Jordan Carey, Andrew Walker and Ross Young.

On a dull, overcast and bitterly cold afternoon Park kicked off and early Scunthorpe pressure had the visitors on the defensive but after ten minutes, a brilliant move down the left hand side started by the returning Fergus Simpson put left wing Seb Reece away and when the move broke down, Scunthorpe were caught offside with the ball kicked into the left corner. Scunthorpe illegally stopped the catch and drive, and the ball was again put into the left corner but as the ball moved infield from the lineout the ball was spilled. Park were beginning to put real pressure on the home side and it was rewarded on seventeen minutes with a try by centre Paul Spowart. After Scunthorpe had managed to clear their lines, Park won a lineout on halfway after excellent work by No 8 Matthew French. As the ball went right Spowart made an excellent break to score by the posts which he converted (0-7).

The home response was immediate and direct from the restart. The ball was allowed to bounce and Scunthorpe No 8 Ben Hyde pounced to score, the try being converted by standoff Ethan Taylor on nineteen minutes (7-7). If the home sides response had been swift, so was the visitors with standoff Fergus Simpson scoring an interception try as Scunthorpe moved the ball left on their 10 metre line from the restart. Spowart converted, twenty-one minutes played (7-14). Park conceded a scrum as the game restarted allowing the home side to pile on the pressure but superb Park defence, including one last ditch tackle on Scunthorpe centre Laurence Pearce, kept the league leaders at bay. When Scunthorpe were eventually caught offside, Park were able to clear their lines but the kick missed touch and as Scunthorpe moved the ball left centre Ash Smith intercepted a pass to move the ball quickly left allowing wing Seb Reece to canter over to the left of the posts on twenty-six minutes. Paul Spowart kicked the conversion (7-21).

Scunthorpe top the table for a reason and the score spurred them into action and for the next few minutes Park had to defend which they did to a man but the dam was forced on thirty-five minutes when, after a Park knock on, Scunthorpe attacked in midfield with a series of strong drives and when the visitors ran out of cover, wing Josh Lugsden ran in at the corner, around under the posts to give Taylor an easy conversion (14-21). As the clock ticked down to half time, Scunthorpe applied the pressure, but the visitors were equal to it, one last ditch tackle by scrumhalf Tom Robinson on the Scunthorpe left wing epitomising the defensive effort. As the forty minutes were up, Scunthorpe moved the ball right; a brilliant tackle from fullback Jacob German looked to have stopped the attack in its tracks but the ball fell straight into the hands of flanker Marcus Payne who went over to the delight of the home support. Taylor kicked an excellent conversion to tie the scores as the referee signalled half time (21-21).

HT: Scunthorpe 21 Percy Park 21

Scunthorpe kicked off the second half, but it was the visitors who seized the early initiative, attacking from the off with second row Josh Hedley to the fore and when Scunthorpe were penalised on their own 10 metre line up stepped Spowart to kick the resultant penalty on forty-four minutes (21-24). Play was halted just after the restart when visiting No 8 Matthew French required treatment. Park were looking comfortable but when the ball was spilled in midfield, the resulting scrum gave the home side the opportunity to attack. They were able to put the ball into the right corner after Park were penalised for a high tackle. Although Park stole the lineout, Scunthorpe quickly regained possession with second row Nick Dyson spotting a gap to canter over on fifty-two minutes. Taylor converted to put the home side ahead for the first time in the match (28-24).

From the restart, a superb counter ruck saw Park quickly on the offensive but a serious looking injury to visiting scrumhalf Tom Robinson held up play for some time. When the game resumed, both sides showed their attacking intent in a full blooded contest but handling errors impeded the progress of the two teams. When Scunthorpe were penalised (coming in from the side), both sets of players were able to catch their breath as the ball was kicked into the left corner. A perfectly executed catch and drive had Phil Crichton (I think) touching down on sixty-seven minutes to put the visitors ahead with their bonus point try. The conversion was missed (28-29).

Scunthorpe came again but excellent defence kept the home side at bay but when Park were caught offside on their own 10 metre line, the kick was put into the left corner and Scunthorpe repaid the compliment with their own well executed catch and drive for replacement Will Harrison to score on seventy-four minutes. Taylor kicked an excellent conversion (35-29).

In the last few frantic minutes, Park pushed for the winning score, putting the league leaders under severe pressure. Superb play put them into the home 22, the half backs Simpson and German (who had moved to scrumhalf after Robinson’s injury) dictating play. Park gained a penalty after a ruck offence with second row Nick Dyson being shown a yellow card by referee Jack Johnson. Park elected the scrum, but the ball was knocked on at the base and Scunthorpe were able to clear their lines. A further stoppage occurred when referee Johnson was knocked over after the resultant lineout but after he had received treatment and play resumed, Park gained a penalty midway in the Scunthorpe half and the ball was kicked into the right corner. The catch and drive was stopped illegally resulting in a second home yellow card, this time replacement Will Harrison. Park laid siege to the Scunthorpe line and thought they had scored with a forward (it was impossible to see who) going over but the referee deemed that Park had been held up. As the eighty minute mark approached, the pressure eventually told when centre Paul Spowart forced his way over. The reaction of the players said everything, Park elated, Scunthorpe with heads in hands but the referee was unsighted and eventually, after some confusion, signalled the Park had again been held up. There was barely time for the restart before the match ended, joy and relief for Scunthorpe, utter dejection for the visitors.

FT: Scunthorpe 35 Percy Park 29

Post game, there was a feeling of what might have been, but I have to say, what a Park performance. Each player gave everything, the forwards magnificent, the backs back to their best and while it seems unfair to single out any individual player in such a fantastic team effort, Paul Spowart deserves praise for the way he dominated the centre battle with Laurence Pearce, our chief tormentor in the heavy defeat at Preston Avenue, as does Jacob German who had an excellent game both at fullback and, after the injury to Tom Robinson, as an emergency scrumhalf.

Player/Coach Ash Smith was full of praise for his side when he spoke after the game: “We have worked so hard in training over the last couple of weeks, especially in ways to get the best out of our backline and that showed today. We are gutted at the result and know that we scored twice at the end to win the game. That decisions even out over the season really doesn’t help at the moment, but we have to lift ourselves for a tough game at Huddersfield next week. The lads are not too down as they know how well they played today”.  

Credit to Scunthorpe, they may have been relieved at the final whistle, but they showed what an excellent side they are, scoring five tries to maintain their promotion push and we wish them well for the remainder of the season. It was a great game played at full tilt by two fully committed sides and we thank them both for the game and for their wonderful hospitality and look forward to meeting them again in the not-too-distant future. Thanks, as always, to referee Jack Johnson, without whom there is no game.

There was no other rugby played by the Club at the weekend, with both the Panthers and the Lions having their games postponed. Next week, the 1^st XV are again on the road when they travel to Huddersfield in what will be another tough game, KO at 2pm. Closer to home, the Lions travel to Blaydon in the league, KO also at 2pm. All support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jacob German; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Phil Crichton; 6 Leo Caulfield; 5 Karl Thompson; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Otis Collingbourne; Sean Nairn; Sol Kench;

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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 1^st 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.

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Saturday 21 December 2024

Ilkley 31 Percy Park 10

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 14-7)

Park travelled to West Yorkshire on Saturday for their last league fixture of 2024 to take on Ilkley and in a hard fought encounter, played in challenging conditions, suffered a fifth consecutive loss 31-10. And yet, with just nine minutes of the match to go, just four points adrift of their hosts and with their forwards winning so much possession, Ash Smith sliced through a gap into open space with support on either side but referee Higgins signalled an offence of crossing and from that point, the visitors imploded, conceding two late tries to give Ilkley a convincing victory. In truth, Ilkley deserved the win. The Park forwards were excellent and provided the platform, particularly in the second half, that the backline were just not able to exploit due in part to superb Ilkley defence and in part to the conditions but, sadly, across the board mistakes and indiscipline again blighted the Park effort

There were several changes to the side defeated by Heath last weekend with Sam Digman returning to the front row in place of Louis Adamson, Josh Hedley returning to the second row to partner Chris Reekie and Keith Laughlin moving to the flank to replace Harry Paul. In the backline, there were positional changes, Andrew Walker moving from scrumhalf to fullback, Jordan Carey fullback to standoff, Ash Smith from standoff to outside centre, Seb Reece centre to left wing and Tom Robinson left wing to scrumhalf. The replacements were Sean Nairn, Jonny Dubois and Harry Paul.

On a sunny but extremely blustery day with rain clouds gathering, Ilkley kicked off with the visitors gaining an early penalty. From a lineout on halfway on the right, the Park forwards probed the Ilkley defence with the ball coming out right to captain Howard Stock at speed on the right touchline. Two sublime sidesteps later he was scoring to the right of the posts, centre Paul Spowart kicking the difficult conversion. As in last weeks game against Heath, an excellent start, five minutes played (0-7).

It did not take Ilkley long to respond. From the restart, Ilkley attacked and an excellent 50/22 kick gave them a lineout in the Park 22 on their left touchline. As the lineout was won, a Park high tackle gave the home side a penalty on the 22 directly in front of the posts but Ilkley elected the scrum. It was an astute decision given the swirling wind and as the ball was moved right the Park defence came up quickly only for standoff Matty Sheard to put an excellent kick in behind the defence for centre Freddie Clark to chase and score on ten minutes, fellow centre Charles Morgan converting to tie the score (7-7).

The rain began to fall after a quarter of an hour with Park securing the lion’s share of possession. A scrum penalty was won on the Ilkley 22 which was kicked into the right corner. It looked as if the catch and drive was executed perfectly but when almost at the line the ball was spilled, and Ilkley were able to clear their lines. Park were to rue the mistake as shortly after Ilkley scored their second try to take a lead they were never to relinquish. From a home scrum in the Ilkley half, the ball was kicked to touch but a valiant effort to keep the ball in play only diverted the ball into the hands of Ilkley wing Ben Walker who raced in unopposed to score under the posts on twenty-three minutes, Morgan converting (14-7).

Park almost responded immediately from the restart. A penalty for a high tackle on their own 22 gave Park the opportunity to put the ball in the right corner. From the lineout, both second row Chris Reekie and replacement flanker Jonny Dubois were held up on the line and the home side were able to clear. As the clock ticked down on the first half Ilkley should have scored again when, after a fantastic hand off by Clark, a forward pass prevented wing Harry Harrison from scoring. Park were pushed off the ball at the resultant scrum and only a knock-on prevented another certain Ilkley score. The last few minutes of the half saw Park defending well and there was no further score.

HT: Ilkley 14 Percy Park 7

Park kicked off the second half and quickly earned a penalty almost in front of the posts. Perhaps because of the conditions, the visitors elected to kick the ball to the corner, but the wind carried the ball over the dead ball line and the chance was lost. However, shortly after Ilkley again infringed in midfield (offside) and some stupid back chat gave Park another ten yards and a chance to kick for goal. Spowart made no mistake on forty-three minutes (14-10).

The Park forwards were winning possession but credit to Ilkley, they were able on several occasions to halt Park momentum by either turning the ball over or winning scrum penalties. Ilkley were unable to escape the territorial pressure being exerted by the visitors and one great run from wing Seb Reece had Park knocking on the door but as the third quarter ended, Park were in the home 22 but after losing possession, an Ilkley kick ahead had Park in trouble, standoff Jordan Carey rescuing the situation to allow the visitors to reclaim the ball.

The pendulum began to swing in Ilkley’s favour on the sixty minute mark when two quick Ilkley penalties gave the home side an attacking scrum under the posts but a huge effort from the Park eight gained a scrum penalty to relieve the pressure. As Park regained the initiative up front, the possession and territory gained could not be turned into points; dropped passes and penalties littered their play. With under ten minutes of the match remaining, centre Ash Smith (now playing at standoff due to injury) saw a gap on his own 22 to slice through the Ilkley defence. With options right and left, a score was possible but the referee had seen an offence of crossing and play was called back. Morgan made no mistake with the kick on seventy-one minutes (17-10).

The penalty seemed to invigorate the home side and from the restart they quickly won a lineout on the Park 10 metre line. As the ball came left infield Ilkley centre Morgan seemed to have nowhere to go as the Park defence came up but two brilliant sidesteps had him through to give the scoring pass to fellow centre Freddie Clark who cantered over on seventy-four minutes. Morgan kicked an excellent conversion to all but seal the game (24-10).

Ilkley were immediately on the attack from the restart, the bonus point try the aim. They gained a penalty immediately (holding on after the tackle) and, when a succession of penalties had the home forwards on the visitors try line, scrumhalf Ed Brown was able to wriggle over to score their fourth try on seventy-seven minutes. Morgan converted to give Ilkley a well-deserved, if slightly flattering, victory (31-10).

As the clock counted down there was no further scoring.

FT: Ilkley 31 Percy Park 10

A very disappointing result after so much effort but we were just unable to convert possession and territory into points on the board, particularly in that third quarter. Post match, player coach Ash Smith had this to say: “Our forwards were simply fantastic. I cannot fault their effort and commitment. They deserved better but everything we tried in the backs just didn’t work; we tried changing the backline around after Tom Robinson was injured but still nothing worked. It is so frustrating. I take nothing away from Ilkley, they are a good side, but honestly this is a game we could easily have won with the amount of ball we had. We just couldn’t use it”.

I certainly concur with what Ash had to say in respect of the Park forwards. They were excellent with, particularly, Sam Digman and Matthew French tackling themselves to a standstill. Ilkley’s defence was good throughout, and their backline was always dangerous especially Freddie Clark and Ben Walker when they received the ball. We thank them for a great game and their wonderful hospitality and hope to meet them again next season. Our thanks also to referee Mr Higgins.

The lads could at least console themselves with a ‘Twelve Ales of Christmas’ sojourn around Ilkley, suitably attired as Santa’s or Elves, before the long trip back to Tyneside.

The Colts played a hastily rearranged game under the Preston Avenue lights on Friday against Durham City losing 26-73 in a high scoring game. On Boxing Day, we welcome Whitley Bay Rockcliff for the annual festive fixtures. The Colts take on their counterparts from Rockcliff for the Albi Durhin Cup, KO 11.30 am, followed by the senior game, KO 1.30 pm. If that feast of rugby was not enough, the NUFC vs Aston Villa Premier League game will be on the clubhouse TV’s from 3 pm. Rugby, footy, ale and convivial company, what more could you wish for on a Boxing Day?

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Percy Park: 15 Andrew Walker; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Jordan Carey; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Keith Laughlin; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Sean Nairn; Jonny Dubois; Harry Paul

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Saturday 14 December 2024

Percy Park 10 Heath 42

Regional 1 North East

(HT: 5-21)

Heath RUFC made their first ever visit to Preston Avenue and in what was always going to be a tough encounter for the home side, they ran out 10-42 victors in what was a comprehensive victory. Injuries have not helped the Percy Park cause so far this season and a red card late on made life even more difficult. Heath were good value for their win, a dominant scrum enabling them to score six converted tries and, apart from the first few minutes, they mostly controlled the game. A slightly shorter match report this week as I was unfortunately not present at the game and am relying solely on the match video but I am led to understand that the highlight of the day for the Park faithful was the pre-match Christmas Lunch as opposed to the game itself which was somewhat of an anti-climax.

On a dry but overcast day, Heath kicked off and were straight on the attack, but a high tackle gave the home side the chance to clear their lines. From the lineout, scrum half Andrew Walker kicked ahead, gathered and stormed into the Heath 22 and when finally tackled gave the perfect offload to Leo Caulfield who scored wide out on the left. An excellent start after two minutes, the try unconverted (5-0). However, Heath were able to hit back immediately, a great tackle from prop Jack Pilcher in midfield handing Heath possession and excellent interplay between the visiting centres had outside centre Dominic Horn run in for the try to the right of the posts, converted on five minutes by Chris Johnson (5-7).

The score seemed to lift Heath who through their forwards began to exert real pressure. A high tackle by second row Chris Reekie in the home 22 saw him shown a yellow card with the penalty kicked into the right corner. Park quickly conceded another penalty at the lineout and a quick tap had the Park defence stretched enabling flanker Harvey Keithley-Payne to score, again to the right of the posts, on twelve minutes. Johnson converted (5-14). The Heath forwards were relentless but dogged defence kept them out but as Reekie came back onto the field, yet another penalty for a high tackle enabled Heath to attack from a lineout in the Left corner. Although a succession of drives were stopped, second row Seif Boussaada had the strength to crash over to the right of the posts, Johnson converting on twenty-five minutes (5-21).

From the restart, a huge clearance kick from Johnson again had Park under pressure but there was no further score.

HT: Percy Park 5 Heath 21

Park kicked off the second half but two quick penalties, both for not rolling away after the tackle, had Heath with a lineout in the left corner. Park stole the ball on their line, but the clearance kick was charged down with Heath flanker Ben Stringer on hand to score their bonus point try. Forty-five minutes played with Johnson converting the score (5-28). Park simply could not get into the game and with the visiting pack dominant, possession was limited. The pressure was such that the Park penalty count rose as the game progressed and it was from several infringements that Heath gained a scrum just inside the home 22. They put the pressure on and sent the home eight backwards for No 8 Tom Clough to touch down on 60 minutes, Johnson again converting (5-35).

It was suddenly Heath who began to give penalties away and give Park some possession. A succession of infringements gave the home side a chance to tap from almost underneath the posts and as the ball was moved left flanker Leo Caulfield had the strength to wriggle over on the left with sixty-five minutes played. The try was unconverted (10-35). Almost from the restart, a yellow card for Heath prop Jack Pilcher, gave the home side impetus but Heath held firm with, eventually, a penalty for crossing by the home side helping to relieve the pressure. A storming run along the left touchline from prop Tristan Grant came to nothing when the ball was knocked on and from the resultant scrum, Heath scored the try of the match, a 50 metre burst from centre Ezra Hinchliff eventually being finished by scrumhalf Dom Walsh on seventy minutes, Johnson again converting (10-42).

There was no more scoring but shortly before the end of the match, another high tackle from Chris Reekie earned him a second yellow followed by a red card to end a very disappointing game for the home side.

FT: Percy Park 10 Heath 42

Heath fully deserved the win; their pack was very strong and their halfbacks Johnson and Walsh controlled the game extremely well. Heath remain in fifth place in the Regional 1 North East table with Park slipping down to nineth. It is now our fourth straight loss in the league with just one more league game to play before the festive break. We thank them for the game and wish them well for the remainder of the season. Our thanks too to our referee.

The Lions were also at home on Saturday, losing to a strong Middlesbrough Wasps side 14-38 but on Sunday, the Panthers won a hard fought game at home to Ponteland 17-12 to maintain their title bid in NC3 North (North).

Next week, the 1^st XV travel to Ilkley in their final league game of 2024, KO is 2pm. On Boxing Day, Park take on Whitley Bay Rockcliff in our annual Festive fixture at Preston Avenue. with the Colts kicking things off against their Hillheads opponents at 11.30am for the Albi Duhrin Cup. The senior game is at 1.30pm with the NUFC vs Aston Villa on the big screen in the Clubhouse from 3pm. It should be a great day. All support for the above fixtures would be most appreciated.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Tom Robinson; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Matthew French; Leo Caulfield; 6 Harry Paul; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Keith Laughlin; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Louis Adamson

Replacements: Sean Nairn; Jacob German; Charley Miller

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