Saturday 20 April 2024

Percy Park 38 Selby 40

Papa John’s Community Cup

(Regional 2 Championship – Pool 1)

(HT: 19-19)

What a game! A titanic struggle between two championship winning sides edged at the death by Selby in one of the best games seen at Preston Avenue for many a season. It was a case of defeat snatched from the jaws of victory and at the final whistle, utter dejection from the home team, unbridled joy from the visitors. As visiting captain Alex Webster said after the game, no one deserved to lose such a fantastic game and certainly no one at Park begrudged Selby their victory. To score forty points away from home deserves reward and, in the final seconds, when they gained the chance, Selby fashioned the winning score and all credit to them. Both sides at times played some great rugby and scored some excellent tries but, from the Park perspective, our defence was not as robust as it has been this season and in the final minute we did not see the game out as we should have done but as we all know, hindsight is a wonderful thing. But we take nothing away from Selby, they are a great side. Our chances of qualifying for the semi-finals are now on a knife-edge but to have any hope, we must win at Old Brodleians this coming Saturday and hope Selby can be upset at home in their final fixture.

There were a number of changes to the Park side that won at Birkenhead Park last weekend. Jamie Wrigley returned from injury at fullback, captain Howard Stock, unavailable last weekend, returned on the right wing, Seb Reece moved into the centre with Ash Smith moving to standoff in place of the injured Fergus Simpson. Ross Young moved back onto the left wing in place of Lucas Rowell. Up front, the evergreen Michael Langlands came in at No 8 for the injured James Black. On the replacements bench, Ollie Bartles-Smith returned having been unavailable last week. He was joined by Andy Dunn, Tristan Grant, Eddie Saint, Mikey Fisher, Charlie Miller and Will Ponton.

On a thankfully dry bright day with a slight breeze Selby kicked off with the wind at their backs. It was quickly apparent that both sides wanted to play with width. After a huge tackle from second row Chris Reekie forced Selby to knock-on, Park gained a penalty from the resulting scrum on the Selby 10 metre line. Standoff Ash Smith kicked the penalty into the Selby 22 on the right touchline and a perfect catch and drive had Park mauling towards the try line but as the maul was brought down the ball was moved at speed left for full back Jamie Wrigley to score wideout on 7 minutes. Paul Spowart converted for a perfect start for the home side.

The response from Selby was immediate. From the restart, as Park moved the ball it was knocked forward on their own 10 metre line. From the scrum, after several phases, visiting centre James Bramley was able to break a tackle to move quickly into the home 22. Again, after several phases and excellent ball retention, it was moved right and a perfect off load to Bramley saw him canter over wide on the right after 10 minutes. The conversion by fullback Charlie Bramley was missed (7-5).

Selby struck again very quickly after the restart. Gaining possession from the kick-off on their own 22, the ball was kicked towards the right touchline. The chase was excellent and James Bramley combined with right wing Matt Lodge to get the ball into the home 22, Selby then used their big forwards to punch holes in the home defence. As Park were penalized in front of their posts, referee Dave Charlton played the advantage as the ball was played left at speed for left wing  Weston to go over in the corner on 13 minutes. Fullback Charlie Bramley converted (7-12).

As the game continued, Park were having difficulty holding on to the ball with strong runs from both Ash Smith and Seb Reece coming to nothing when the ball was turned over. However, Selby were having difficulty in dealing with the Park eight in the scrum, and began to concede penalties as Park applied pressure, Reekie prominent, as the first quarter ended. From one such infringement, for offside, midway in the Selby half, Smith again kicked to the 22. Selby quickly conceded a scrum, No 8 Michael Langlands picked up from the base and moved right, fed scrum half Andrew Walker who in turn passed to fullback Wrigley who cut through the Selby defence and when tackled, delivered a perfect off load to captain Howard Stock who squeezed in at the right-hand corner. Spowart was unable to convert from the touchline, 22 minutes played (12-12).

The next few minutes were breathless, both sides playing at full tilt and both just unable to break the other’s defensive line. Second row Josh Hedley was penalized for a high tackle on the Park 10 metre line and Selby elected to kick for goal but fullback Charlie Bramley missed the opportunity to put the visitors ahead, the kick drifting to the right of the posts. From the drop out, Selby tried to play the ball but could not find a way through, the Park defence forcing a grubber kick that was quickly returned into the Selby half, an outstanding run from Reece doing damage. Selby were struggling and once again they conceded a penalty in midfield with Smith again kicking into the 22 where the catch and drive was halted illegally. Another catch and drive was stopped on the line and a series of pick and go’s saw Josh Hedley and Jonny Dubois go close before Chris Reekie was able to crash over wide on the right on 34 minutes. Spowart converted, Park very much on top (19-12).

As the game restarted, Park moved into the visitors half with great play between backs and forwards only to be penalized for not releasing in the tackle but, regaining possession after the penalty kick to touch, they again moved the ball through the hands, great interplay between backs and forwards culminating in a storming run from hooker Dan Shuttleworth along the left touchline that had the Selby defence scrambling but at the breakdown either the ball or a player in possession was adjudged to have been in touch and Selby were awarded a lineout on their own 10 metre line. It was then that disaster struck for Park, seconds from the half time whistle. Selby moved the ball to halfway but were stopped and as they moved the ball left the move seemed to have broken down when the ball went loose but was collected by rangy left-wing Oliver Weston. Somehow, he weaved through four or five tackles or attempted tackles to offload to standoff Ben Poskitt who went in under the posts for a superb try on 40 minutes. Charlie Bramley converted to tie the scores; Park stunned (19-19).

HT: Percy Park 19 Selby 19

Selby, buoyed by the score on half time, came out of the blocks as the second half began, quickly winning a penalty and eventually taking play to the Park 22 where Park scrum half Andrew Walker cleared his lines with an excellent box kick into the Selby half which was returned with a storming run from flanker Ben Lodge which was illegally stopped by his opposite number Joe Thompson who was immediately shown a yellow card by referee Charlton for the high tackle with just two minutes of the half played. Selby then had 14-man Park pinned in their 22, unable to escape the stranglehold and conceding penalties. From one, on the 22, Selby scrum half Archie Bennett tapped but when he was tackled, a series of forward drives eventually saw Selby prop Joe Reid crash over on 47 minutes with Charlie Bramley converting (19-26). The pendulum had swung back in favour of Selby in a few minutes.

Park needed to steady the ship and this they did in the next few minutes, holding on to possession and playing their way into Selby territory. Both Park second rows began to punch holes in midfield, the half backs orchestrating play, before Jamie Wrigley was unleashed along the left touchline from a fine looped pass from Hedley deep into the Selby 22. When he was stopped, the ball was quickly recycled right for centre Paul Spowart to evade two tackles and go over midway between the posts and the left touchline, converting his own score on 52 minutes to tie the match once again (26-26). Park barely had time to take a breath before Selby went ahead again, attacking from deep after Park had kicked long from the restart. The ball was moved left, and fullback Charlie Bramley moved at pace to the Park 22, evading the park defence before he gave the scoring pass to left wing Matt Lodge who went around the last defender to score wide on the left for a super try on 55 minutes. Converted by Charlie Bramley (26-33).

The next few minutes saw Selby going for the Park jugular, with No 8 Liam Hogan and centre James Bramley creating holes in the Park defence and only a great defensive turnover on their own line prevented the visitors from extending their lead. Slowly, as the third quarter ended, Park began to get back into the game, keeping possession and gaining ground. This was a  tough, physical though fair encounter and both sides used their replacements, with Park suffering significant injuries to both Ross Young and prop Sam Digman. Selby infringed on the home sides 10 metre line and as scrum half Walker attempted to take a quick tap penalty he was immediately stopped by Selby flanker Schofield who was given a yellow card by referee Charlton. Smith kicked to the visitors 22 only to see the lineout stolen. Park regained possession when Selby kicked long. Another bulldozing run from second row Hedley sucked in defenders and quick ball had Park moving left. Replacement Will Ponton made ground before the ball was recycled and moved right. Another surging run put Park on the visitors 22 and the ball was again moved right to standoff Smith who, with a quick show and go ran through the Selby defence to score under the posts for a brilliant individual try on 73 minutes which he converted to once again tie the scores (33-33).

Both sides were now searching for the next score with time ticking down in what was a full blooded, enthralling encounter. Selby box kicked from their 10 metre line, the ball falling into the hands of Seb Reece on the Park left touchline and he drove into the Selby half. The ball infield, a surging run from Thompson brought Park to the 10 metre line in midfield. The ball was moved right and then left with Smith giving a long pass to Reece in space on the left touchline. He went flying deep into the Selby 22, passed infield to the supporting Joe Thompson who, when tackled almost on the line, off loaded to Ponton who went over for a super score to put Park ahead but the conversion attempt from Smith drifted just to the left of the posts. 78 minutes played (38-33).   

The restart not 10, Park scrum on halfway, the clock almost in the red. Park kept the ball in the forwards, Selby defending strongly in midfield before they infringed on halfway, Smith went for distance with the penalty kick but agonizingly, did not find touch, Selby keeping the ball in play 5 metres from their try line. They ran the ball right and a missed tackle on the 22 saw them on halfway. Park were penalized for not rolling away and the resultant kick put them into Park territory, just outside the 22. Winning the lineout, Selby used their forwards, Schofield to the fore, to batter holes in the Park defence which seemed to be holding firm, but when Park were again penalized, centre James Bramley made ground on the right getting Selby deep into the home 22 with the referee playing advantage. The ball was recycled into midfield, Park defending desperately in front of their posts, advantage still being played. When it looked as if the ball had gone loose, Selby regathered and No 8 Liam Hogan was able to exploit a gap in the defence to go over under the posts to tie the scores but with the simple conversion to come which was duly kicked and as it was, referee Charlton signaled the end of the match (38-40). Absolute heartache for Park, total joy for Selby which was plain to see when the teams eventually left the field.

A fantastic, memorable game played at times at a ferocious pace by two very, very good sides that ebbed and flowed throughout. It certainly showed the standard Park will have to play at next season in Regional 1 North East where we will again play our guests. For Park, both second rows, Chris Reekie and Josh Hedley, were excellent as were Selby scrum half Archie Bennett and centre James Bramley. It was a game of very tight margins but from a Park perspective, conceding the try right on half time was a blow, numerous tackles in the build up having been missed, but sometimes it is too easy to be critical from the sidelines. Both sides gave everything and our congratulations to Selby who are a great side. Post-match, a rather dejected Joe Thompson summed the game up: “I am gutted, the whole team are gutted. We thought we had won it at the end, but it wasn’t to be. I honestly thought the Selby player was just in touch when he caught the ball at the end but it wasn’t called and they came back at us. We just ran out of players, and they scored. The team gave everything but, on the day, Selby played fantastically well and they are a great side. We have to pick ourselves up for next week as there is still a chance we can win the group. I just wish we could play those last couple of minutes again”. In the end, all credit to our visitors, who needed to go the length of the field to score at the death and did so.  

Selby now top Pool 1 with one game to go for all four sides. Park go to Halifax next Saturday to play Old Brodleians with Selby hosting Birkenhead Park. Realistically, Selby will be favourites to go through to the semi-final, with home advantage and playing against a side who have lost both games thus far, but Park can only try to win at Old Brods and hope for an upset at Selby. Our game next Saturday is a 3pm kick-off and all support would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Ross Young; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Michael Langlands: 7 Jonny Dubois; 6 Joe Thompson; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Tristan Grant, Andy Dunn, Eddie Saint, Mikey Fisher, Charlie Miller, Will Ponton, Ollie Bartles-Smith.

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Saturday 13 April 2024

Birkenhead Park 19 Percy Park 42

Papa John’s Community Cup

Regional 2 Championship (North)

(HT: 7-18)

Having won the Regional 2 North league title three weeks ago and completed their league fixtures last week at Northern, Park embarked on their National Cup campaign on Saturday with a trip to the Wirral to take on Birkenhead Park who themselves have won the Regional 2 North West league championship. It was our second visit to the Merseyside club in twelve months, having been drawn together in the semi-final of the inaugural Plate competition last year, Park winning 20-42 to reach the final. A tough encounter was expected but, on the day, an exceptional performance from Park saw them win a very entertaining encounter 19-42, scoring seven tries to comprehensively beat the North West champions. After round one, Park sit proudly on top of the Regional 2 Championship (North) table on points difference from Selby who we meet next week at Preston Avenue. Some of our play, both in the backs and the forwards, was excellent and although there were some stand out performances it must be said that every player made their mark, everyone played well.

There were several changes to the Park side from last week’s game at Northern. Up front, in place of the injured Jake Smith, Joe Thompson came into the back row at blindside flanker with captain for the day Jonny Dubois switching to openside. In the backs, Ash Smith and Paul Spowart resumed their centre partnership replacing Ollie Bartles-Smith and Will Ponton, the latter dropping to the replacements bench. Seb Reece switched to the right wing in place of the unavailable Howard Stock with Lucas Rowell coming in on the left. With more replacements available in this competition, Ponton was joined by Aaron Smith, Michael Birkett, Michael Langlands, Eddie Saint and Charlie Miller on the bench.

On the Tuesday before the match, the Upper Park pitch had been under water after torrential rain and great credit must go to the excellent work of the Birkenhead Park ground staff to get the pitch ready in time for the pitch inspection on Friday afternoon. It was heavily sanded and looked decidedly rough in places, but it was more than playable. Conditions were dry, with sunny intervals, very breezy with the threat of rain never too far away.

The hosts kicked off with the wind at their backs and immediately Park showed their intent to play with width but the ball went forward on their own 10 metre line, allowing Birkenhead the scrum. Park appeared to be still on the bus as the home No 8 picked up, crashed through two attempted tackles to feed flanker and captain Sean Mooney who ran in unopposed from the 22 to score to the left of the posts on 3 minutes, Standoff Nick Baldwin kicked the conversion. A great start by the home side (7-0).

From the restart, Park had difficulty in retaining the ball but although the home side had possession, they rarely threatened the visitors 22 but when Birkenhead lost the ball in contact, a long kick from wing Lucas Rowell forced a Park lineout close to the Birkenhead 10 metre line. As the ball moved infield, second row Josh Hedley stormed into the Birkenhead 22 from a breakdown and after Rowell, standoff Fergus Simpson and second row Chris Reekie were held up on the line Park quickly conceded a penalty for not releasing the ball in the tackle after it looked as if they would score from a 5-metre scrum, the home pack under severe pressure.

The next few minutes saw play almost exclusively in home territory but Park were unable to keep the ball for any length of time and they conceded a scrum on halfway when the ball was knocked on after Birkenhead Park kicked to clear their lines. The hosts attempted to play the ball wide but the Park defence was more than equal to the task with the home side unable to get out of their half until Baldwin used the wind to kick an excellent 50/20 giving Birkenhead an excellent attacking opportunity but the attempted catch and drive was easily contained by the visitors, quickly winning the put in at a resulting scrum. As the first quarter ended, Park were beginning to lose their ‘bus legs’ after the long journey from Tyneside and from the scrum began to move the ball with real pace. A breakout at speed saw standoff Fergus Simpson, on a brilliant weaving run, storm into the Birkenhead half and as the ball was moved right, at pace, the move broke down when the final pass went straight into touch. Park now looked full of running and when the home side lost the ball in midfield Park were straight on the attack along the left touchline. Unable to properly clear their lines, Birkenhead eventually strayed offside in front of their posts and up stepped centre Paul Spowart to put our first points on the board on 24 minutes (7-3).

Birkenhead won possession from the restart and when they moved the ball to the right touchline, it looked as if wing Will du Randt would score in the corner, but Seb Reece had other ideas, haring across the field to stop the wing in his tracks with a superb tackle on the try line. A penalty was conceded although it was difficult to see the referee’s signal as to why. The tackle itself was hard but fair, the home players had no complaint even though du Randt was unable to continue, and the referee James Evans made no move to speak to Reece and it may well of been an infringement in follow up play. Birkenhead elected to take the scrum, but it was easily contained with Park quickly regaining possession to move, again, at pace to halfway where they gained a penalty after the home side infringed. Centre Ash Smith was able to take play to midway inside the home sides half with a lineout on the right touchline. As the ball moved left infield, Reece began to move at speed from his wing to take the ball and scythe through the home defence to score just infield from the left touchline on the half hour. Spowart was unable to convert but Park were ahead for the first time in the match (7-8).

The next few minutes saw Park playing with width, moving the ball quickly with fullback Ross Young prominent, but losing the ball at key moments. The under-pressure home side were content, when they did get the ball, to kick long, unable to fashion anything by moving the ball through the hands. After two Park dropouts, the visitors regained possession, moving the ball left and then right and using second rows Hedley and Reekie to smash holes in midfield. Birkenhead were hanging on, but the dam eventually broke when a Young break took play almost up to the Birkenhead 22 before the ball was powered forward through James Black, captain Jonny Dubois and Chris Reekie before the ball was sent left for Simpson to give the scoring pass to Ash Smith who ran in for the try on 37 minutes in almost the same spot as Reece a few minutes earlier. A superb score that appeared to this onlooker as if it involved every Park player in the buildup. Spowart was again unable to convert in the difficult breeze (7-13).

From the restart, Park scored again, Ash Smith running through the home defence to put a long kick into the Birkenhead 22. From the lineout, midway inside the 22 on the left touchline, Park mauled the ball toward the tryline but were awarded a penalty after it was illegally stopped. The penalty kick to touch, a textbook catch and drive with skipper Dubois scoring wide out on the left on the half time whistle. Spowart was unable to convert, the breeze strengthening (7-18).

HT: Birkenhead Park 7 Percy Park 18

Park had dominated the second quarter and as the second half kicked off, the home side needed a response and sure enough, it came within four minutes of the restart. An early Park infringement gave the home side the opportunity to kick to halfway. Park stole the lineout but knocked on in midfield and from the resulting scrum Birkenhead attacked along the right touchline. After several phases, centre Scott Davidson was able to slip a tackle to score under the posts. Baldwin converted (14-18).

The try appeared to galvanise the home side and they began to gain some possession, but their main attacking threat was a long kicking game, either out of hand or from Park infringements. They did attempt to move the ball from a midfield scrum, moving the ball first left then right but Parks excellent and robust defence was sound forcing the home side to eventually knock-on. From the defensive scrum, Park kicked to clear their lines but the ball was brilliantly reclaimed by Reece who fed fullback Ross Young who was into Birkenhead Park territory in an instant. For the next few minutes, after Birkenhead regained the ball, Park kept the home side pinned in and around their own 22 with another excellent defensive effort but when they turned over the ball, Park were on the attack immediately with quick hands putting the ball into the hands of Seb Reece on the right wing and it was only a last ditch tackle that stopped him scoring. However, the referee had been playing advantage as the hosts had strayed offside in midfield and Smith kicked the penalty into the left-hand corner.  The catch and drive, as has been the case so often this season, was perfect with prop Sam Digman touching down on 57 minutes, the try bonus point secured. With the strong breeze Spowart was unable to convert from wide out (14-23).

The home side gained possession from the restart but were unable to do anything with it before the ball was turned over by the visitors. A fantastic break by scrumhalf Andrew Walker brought play into opposition territory before a delicate grubber kick left could not quite be gathered by the speeding Young and a kick ahead by wing Lucas Rowell went dead. As the third quarter ended, Park had a golden opportunity to stretch the lead after Ash Smith put a long kick into the right corner, Park stole the lineout, but referee Evans awarded Park an attacking 5-metre scrum after a home knock-on. Park secured the ball and as they moved to the try line, control of the ball was lost, and home flanker Stuart Cross pounced to touch the ball down, an excellent defensive effort. Park had a stranglehold on both territory and possession with the hosts unable to escape from their own 22 and it was not long before Park scored again. Birkenhead conceded a penalty in the right corner and Park elected to take the scrum. As Walker passed out to Ash Smith (who had moved to standoff after an injury to Fergus Simpson) Seb Reece came off his wing into midfield, received the pass and simply ghosted through the home defence, leaving three players in his wake, to score to the left of the posts midway to the left touchline for another superb score on 69 minutes. Ash Smith converted (14-30).

Reece scored again three minutes later. The home side knocked-on quickly after gaining possession from the restart, and from the scrum four quick passes had the ball in the hands of the flying right wing. He powered over halfway along the right touchline and a sharp turn of direction had him in under the posts for his hat trick and another great try. Smith converted (14-37). Park were not finished yet as they scored again almost directly from the restart. Captain Jonny Dubois made the break into the Birkenhead Park half, the move was carried on by Walker and when the move broke down, the ball was recycled right for replacement prop Aaron Smith, wide on the right, to replicate Reece and canter over on 75 minutes. Ash Smith was unable to convert the difficult kick in the strong wind (14-42).

As the clock ticked down, there was time for a home consolation try, scrum half Sam Chidley sniping over two minutes from time after Park had conceded two quick penalties in their own 22. The try was unconverted (19-42). Park held firm for the last few seconds as Birkenhead looked for a way to secure at least a try bonus point.

FT: Birkenhead Park 19 Percy Park 42

A comprehensive victory against the Regional 2 North West Champions sets Park up for the challenge of Regional 2 North East Champions Selby RUFC at home next week. In the forwards, Josh Hedley and Joe Thompson excelled, Fergus Simpson and Andrew Walker controlled things at half back and Seb Reece was a constant threat on the wing but everyone played well and it was great to see that all of the replacements had some game time so credit to the coaches. For Birkenhead Park, a sobering day at the office but they were gracious in defeat, and we wish them well (but not too well) in their remaining two pool games. They have had an outstanding season, winning the Cheshire Vase in addition to their league title. They were excellent hosts, and we thank them for their splendid hospitality, and it was a great craic after the game sadly curtailed due to the constraints of time and travel. A great club with great people. Our thanks too to James Evans who refereed the game superbly.  

Post match, El Presidente Keith Atkinson shared his thoughts on the game (before the Port got the better of him): “We played so well, particularly in the first half against the wind after we had shaken off what is a tiring journey. Birkenhead Park are unbeaten at home and for us to come here and win so well is a massive result and, hopefully, it sets us up for the rest of the cup campaign. A tough game next week but after today, the lads must be confident. I think we bullied them up front and we had far too much pace in our backs which they simply could not cope with. Nice to see Langers (Michael Langlands) back on first team duties. All in all, outstanding, a great day. Birkenhead Park are a club with a proud history, and they have been fantastic hosts, but we now look forward to Selby”.

The future of the club looks very bright with players of the calibre of Rowell and Ponton coming through the junior sections and the only blight on a great day were injuries to both Fergus Simpson and James Black who join Leo Caulfield, Jamie Wrigley and Jake Smith on the sidelines.

In the other pool game, Selby defeated Old Brodleians 41-37 at home, scoring a try bonus point, and our game against them is next Saturday (20 April), KO at 3pm. Our hosts today travel to Old Brodleians who secured two bonus points in their defeat at Selby.

There is a pre match lunch next week, details from either myself or Mick Ishida.

Finally, our thanks to Marc Cook and Jamie Wrigley who organized the quiz on the trip to Merseyside. I am happy to report that the ancients at the front of the bus crashed and burned and finished last. It was not so much that we didn’t know the answers, we just didn’t understand the questions! It might also have been of help if our scribe, Mr Atkinson, wasn’t illiterate!!

Percy Park: 15 Ross Young; 14 Seb Reece; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Lucas Rowell; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 James Black; 7 Jonny Dubois; 6 Joe Thompson; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Aaron Smith, Michael Birkett, Michael Langlands, Eddie Saint, Charlie Miller, Will Ponton

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Saturday 6 April 2024

Northern 17 Percy Park 15

Regional 2 North

(HT: 7-5)

Our last league game of the season saw Park travel to Northern who have been hard on our heels at the top of the table for the entire league season. Despite our title win a fortnight ago, this was no ‘dead tie’ with Park eager to complete the double over our city rivals and Northern eager to preserve their 100% home record and avenge their opening day defeat at Preston Avenue. And so it proved with Northern edging a hard fought, attritional and very physical battle by two points thanks to a late penalty just four minutes from time. For the first time this season, Park were unable to gain a try bonus point in part due to an excellent defensive effort by the home side and in part due to our normally clinical back line not being quite on their game. The strong wind also had a negative effect on the match. That said, there are no complaints, a hard won victory for a team who have had a magnificent season and finish runners up to us in Regional 2 North. It seems that promotion and relegation issues are still being mulled over by those in power but if the rumour mill is true, Northern could be promoted as the best Regional 2 runners up in the north and Park certainly hope so.

There were a number of changes to the Park side that defeated Aspatria last time out to seal the league title and promotion, all in the back line. Will Ponton replaced Paul Spowart in the centre, the returning Fergus Simpson replaced the injured Ash Smith at standoff. On the replacements bench, Spowart was joined by the returning Aaron Smith and Mikey Fisher.

On a sunny afternoon albeit with a strong breeze, Park kicked off with the wind at their backs and were immediately on the attack forcing an early scrum penalty. A line out on the Northern 22 secured possession but despite two penalty advantages around the 22 Park’s attack fizzled out but after 4 minutes the visitors won another scrum penalty which Standoff Fergus Simpson put into the left corner. No 8 James Black drove hard for the line but when he was stopped the ball was spun wide right. The move broke down and the ball was hacked on by a Northern defender for, eventually, Northern prop Cole Cartmell to score almost under the posts on 7 minutes. Standoff Jonny Dowell converted. Northern had barely touched the ball and were seven to the good (7-0).

From the restart Northern infringed, a no arms tackle allowing a kick to the Northern 22. Again, the lineout was secured but as the ball was spun right it was knocked on and Northern relieved the pressure from the ensuing scrum, attacking along their left touchline but they lost the ball and from deep, Park attacked again. Multiple phases had Park on the Northen 10 metre line, Matt Atkinson to the fore, but the ball was again knocked on and the home side cleared to halfway. As the first quarter ended, Park had a chance to score after a penalty was awarded on halfway which was kicked to the Northern 22. The ball was mauled forward and the referee, Louis Dinsdale signalled another penalty advantage. The ball was kicked to the right-hand corner and captain Howard Stock was inches from touching down as the ball went dead.  Minutes later, another penalty was kicked to the home 22 but a knock-on halted progress. Park had the lions share of both territory and possession but could not fashion a score in a tight, attritional game. Park attacked again and from a defensive scrum, the home side cleared to just outside their 22. Park moved the ball infield, and second row Josh Hedley threw a wonderful, looped pass that took out three defenders for left wing Seb Reece to score in the left-hand corner on 26 minutes. Will Ponton was unable to convert (7-5).

On 29 minutes, Northern were awarded a penalty in a rare foray into the Park half but Dowell pushed the resulting kick wide from almost in front of the posts. As the clock ticked down, Park twice had penalties that were kicked into the Northern 22 but on each occasion the ball was lost, and the home side were able to clear their lines. Despite most of the possession and territory, Park turned around at the break two points adrift of the hosts.

HT: Northern 7 Percy Park 5

As the second half got underway, the wind strengthening, Park were straight into the Northern 22 after excellent carries from both Reece and flanker Jake Smith but at a breakdown the ball was lost with Northern counter attacking at pace but when the attack looked likely to result in a score the home side were penalised and Park were able to clear their lines. The game began to get bogged down in midfield with mistakes from both sides, the wind having a definite effect, but Park eventually began to exert some pressure, particularly in the tight, which led to a penalty after several reset scrums. The ball was kicked to the left-hand corner and an excellent catch and drive saw Jake Smith score wide out on 54 minutes. However, with a gusting wind, Ponton was unable to kick the difficult conversion (7-10).  From the kick off, Northern put pressure on in the visitors 22 but Park were defending well and after the ball was lost Park worked the ball towards half way but a dropped pass was scooped up by Northern centre Tom Chandler who raced in unopposed to go over under the posts on 65 minutes leaving Dowell with a simple conversion (14-10).

Park were able to respond immediately with Northern knocking on the restart and the visitors gaining another scrum penalty which was again kicked to the left hand corner. Another excellent catch and drive saw flanker Jonny Dubois go over on 68 minutes, but Ponton was again unable to convert the difficult conversion in the strong wind (14-15).

The score seemed to galvanise the home side and they began to mount sustained pressure on the visitors. Although Park were defending well, they were penalised for not releasing after the tackle and Dowell made no mistake with the resultingbpenalty kick, edging Northern in front on 76 minutes (17-15). They remained composed, not allowing Park any opportunities, to see the out the remaining few minutes of the game.

FT: Northern 17 Percy Park 15

A close game of fine margins. Although we outscored our hosts by three tries to two, easier kicks in a gusting breeze proved to be the difference in a game between two very evenly matched sides. Our congratulations to Northern on the win and a very good season. They go on to play Alnwick in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup next week at Morpeth and we wish them well and hope that we meet them again next season. Our thanks also for their (always) excellent hospitality and again, as always, to today’s referee Louis Dinsdale without whom there is no game.

Post match, injured fullback Jamie Wrigley reflected on the game, the season and the forthcoming Papa John’s Community Cup campaign: “I thought we played well; we knew it would be a very tough game and so we prepared. I think we had chances to win but we were not as fluent in attack as we normally are and, especially in the first half, we had chances to score but did not take them. Northern defended very well and fair play to them, but they had the luck today. We wanted to win even though we won the league last week but that’s the league season done. Our goal in September was promotion and we have achieved it and in doing so have played some great rugby. The sad thing about today is that our record of a try bonus point in every game has gone but now it’s about the Cup. It has been a fantastic season, I have really enjoyed it, I’ve scored a few tries but the whole team has played really well, and it has been great to be a part of it”. Jamie went on to speak about his personal highlight of the season: “The home game against Durham back in February is my best moment of the league season. I think at the time they were third and flying and in the first half, we really struggled but got to half time ten or twelve points in front, but they scored early in the second half, and I wondered what the response would be. We simply clicked after they scored, and I think we scored forty or fifty points to win convincingly; I knew then that we could win the league and beat anybody on our day”. Looking ahead to the Papa John’s Community Cup Jamie continued: “We really enjoyed last year’s cup run and the final was a great day even though there was the disappointment of losing. This year we are in the Championship with a chance of playing at Twickenham in the final so yes, the boys are really up for it! We are in a tough group but at that level it is to be expected, all the teams will have been going well. We beat Birkenhead Park away last year and there is no doubt we can repeat that win and the way that we have played this year, I really think we can win it because, as I said earlier, on our day we can beat anyone at our level, and I hope I will be fit enough to be part of it”.

The Lions hosted Northern at Preston Avenue and came away with a very impressive win 40-17.

Next week Park do indeed embark their journey in the Papa John’s Community Cup playing this season in the Regional 2 Championship. Unlike last season’s Plate which was a straight knock-out competition, Park are grouped in the North Regional 2 Championship with Birkenhead Park from Regional 2 North West together with Selby and Old Brodleians, both from Regional 2 North East. Birkenhead Park have just won their league championship having won nineteen of twenty-two games played, finishing their campaign on Saturday with a 0-67 win at Vale of Lune. They are unbeaten at home and host Park next Saturday, KO at 3pm, which will be a huge test but, having won there in the Plate last year, Park should be confident. Selby have also won Regional 2 North East, having won seventeen of their twenty-two games and we host them on 20 April at Preston Avenue, KO 3pm. They completed their league campaign in style defeating Bridlington 69-10 at home on Saturday. We complete the group stage on 27 April when we travel to Halifax to take on Old Brodleians who finished third in Regional 2 North East, winning fourteen of their twenty-two games played. They also won handsomely on Saturday with a 50-17 home win against Glossop. Selby completed a league double over Old Brods this season, winning 15-20 away and 41-7 at home. Each of the four English regions have a Regional 2 Championship and the four winners will contest the semi-finals on 4 May with the final at Twickenham on 11 May.

All support at our Cup games would be very much appreciated.

Finally, after a truly memorable league season, a huge thank you to all the players and coaches who have made it so with their hard work and commitment and congratulations again on the title win and promotion. Park are worthy CHAMPIONS!

Percy Park: 15 Ross Young; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ollie Bartles-Smith; 12 Will Ponton; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 James Black; 7 Jake Smith; 6 Jonny Dubois; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Aaron Smith, Mikey Fisher, Paul Spowart

Sadly, there was no photographer at the game and those on our opponent’s website are subject to copyright and so I have used one from the game against Northern on the opening day of the season. Our thanks as always to Julie Hedley.

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Saturday 23 March 2024

Percy Park 69 Aspatria 7

Regional 2 North

(HT: 24-0)

It was fitting that, in the presence of so many past players, the current side produced arguably their best performance of the season to not only comprehensively beat visitors Aspatria but secure the Regional 2 North title and promotion to Regional 1 North East in emphatic fashion. In the final analysis, Park knew what they had to do and they delivered to make Northern’s result at Durham City immaterial (they lost 24-19) and in doing so provided irrefutable evidence that they are the best side in this league. With a solid platform provided by the forwards, the Park back division simply had too much flair and pace for Aspatria to cope with in a twelve try demolition of the Cumbrians. It has been a fantastic season with a try bonus point secured in every match played with some awesome rugby played and Park are indeed worthy CHAMPIONS!

In the match report of our victory at Bower Park a few weeks ago, the Aspatria scribe wrote of our ‘mesmerising series of runs and false runs’, our ‘intelligent movement, structured to create space’ and ‘a near perfect combination of ball retention, aligned with precise but quick movement’ together with ‘willing runners appearing everywhere’ and, for sure, all of that was on show yesterday in a Park master class. To their great credit, Aspatria never capitulated and fought to the end and to be fair to them, in the initial stages of the match they made Park work hard for both ball and territory and the home side only led 7-0 on 27 minutes but as they moved into top gear the dam broke and thereafter, Park tries came at regular intervals. Any lingering nervous tension evident in some of the Park faithful had well and truly dissipated by the half time whistle.

Park made three changes to the side defeated at Middlesbrough last time out; Ross Young moved to fullback to replace the injured Jamie Wrigley with Seb Reece coming in on the left wing and up front, James Black returned to the back row to replace Joe Thompson while on the replacements bench Fergus Simpson, unavailable last week, replaced Reece alongside Tristan Grant and Mikey Fisher. Park also welcomed referee Diego Ricciardi, our exchange official from the Malaga Referee’s Society in Spain.

On a dry and overcast day with a strong breeze Park kicked off into the wind. Aspatria knocked on from the kick and with referee Ricciardi playing advantage Park were immediately on the attack and deep in the visitors 22. Within 3 minutes Park thought that they had scored. After an attacking lineout throw had been overthrown Park regained possession and attacked along the left, Seb Reece to the fore, and with the Aspatria defence stretched the ball was moved quickly right for Ollie Bartles-Smith to go over but Mr Ricciardi adjudged that the final pass had been marginally forward and called an Aspatria scrum. It did not take long before the first score came. Aspatria were struggling to cope with the home sides physicality and intensity in these early stages and from a superb counter ruck in midfield, Park gained a penalty which was kicked to the left-hand corner. Park moved the ball wide at speed with both Ross Young and James Black being held up on the line before a fantastic, looped pass from scrum half Andrew Walker took out two Aspatria defenders for Young to score in the right-hand corner on 8 minutes. Centre Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion from wide out. Aspatria had yet to exit their half (7-0).

From the first whistle, Park had been playing expansive rugby and this continued after the first try but errors were creeping into their game allowing Aspatria a foot hold in the match, but they were unable to fashion any real scoring opportunities. No 8 Matthew Atkinson (not to be confused with our own Matt Atkinson) carried extremely well but the Park defence held firm.  A brilliant break from Paul Spowart break came to nought after a Park player was penalised from coming in at the side at the ensuing breakdown and as the Park penalty count began to grow Spowart incurred the referee’s displeasure and received a yellow card on 21 minutes. Shortly afterward, the ball was knocked on when it seemed easier to score but Park began to eliminate the errors and indiscipline and as a result, the second score arrived. From a lineout on the left, the ball was moved in field and strong carries from both second row Chris Reekie and prop Matt Atkinson took the home side deep into the Aspatria 22. The ball was moved swiftly left for Young to give the scoring pass to Seb Reece who squeezed over in the left corner on 27 minutes. Ash Smith missed the difficult conversion (12-0).

The restart had Park again attacking from deep but a superb run from fullback Young lacked support and Aspatria gained the penalty after the ball was not released in the tackle. Park’s physicality again had the visitors in trouble when another strong counter ruck in midfield gained a penalty which was kicked to the left-hand corner. The catch and drive were perfect for Jake Smith to touch down in the left-hand corner on 35 minutes. The returning Paul Spowart was unable to convert (17-0). From the restart Park again attacked from deep with Reece scorching along the left touchline over halfway. When he was tackled illegally the resultant penalty produced a home side lineout on the Aspatria 22. The ball was moved in field with both Spowart and Reekie gaining ground. Ash Smith chipped the ball to the left corner, but it was gathered by the defence only for the ball to be immediately turned over. Scrum half Walker fed the onrushing Reekie who was never going to be stopped from 5 metres out at full tilt and he crashed over for the score on 39 minutes, 6 metres or so from the touchline. Spowart kicked an excellent conversion (24-0). The bonus point had been secured and, in truth and with no disrespect to our visitors, the game was effectively over.

HT: Percy Park 24 Aspatria 0

Aspatria got the second half under way with Park again running the ball from deep. A penalty for a high tackle on halfway had Smith kicking the penalty to put Park on the visitors 22. The ball came into midfield and Smith, seeing a gap open in front of him after a quick sidestep, ran in unopposed from the 22 line to score under the posts. Spowart converted, 42 minutes gone (31-0).

Aspatria barely had time to take a breath before Park scored again. From the restart second row Josh Hedley and centre Ollie Bartles Smith made ground before another high tackle gave Smith the opportunity to kick deep into the Aspatria 22. Another perfect catch and drive had Park over the line and flanker Jonny Dubois touching down wide out on the right on 45 minutes. The difficult conversion was missed (36-0). Park fumbled the restart and at last Aspatria had an attacking platform on the Park 22 and they made the most of it. Moving the ball right, centre Heine Jonkers got over the gain line and as Park conceded penalties referee Riccciadi played the advantage with, eventually, replacement Tom Gardner crashing over on 51 minutes for centre Matt Irving to convert (36-7).

Unfortunately, that was it for our visitors as Park hit top gear to score a further five tries. The first arrived just three minutes later. Aspatria were penalised for a high tackle midway in their own half and the penalty was kicked into the right-hand corner. As the catch and drive faltered, Walker put the ball left into midfield where replacement Fergus Simpson jinked over under the posts on 54 minute with Spowart converting (43-7).

Next up, on 57 minutes, Ross Young scored wide out on the left. From the restart, Josh Hedley on a storming run put Park into opposition territory. From a resulting Aspatria scrum, they fumbled in midfield and an alert Simpson scooped the ball up and moved quickly into the 22 before passing left to fullback Young who went one way and then the other, evading several tackles, to score. Spowart was unable to convert (48-7). On 65 minutes, after a line out on the Aspatria 22, the ball was moved swiftly right where both Simpson and Young made ground before, infield, replacement prop Tristan grant was tackled just short of the line. A quick pass from Walker saw Hedley stroll in under the posts for Spowart to convert (55-7).

The visitors, to their great credit, refused to buckle and began to gain possession and a little territory with centre Jonkers particularly prominent with several strong carries but when the ball was spilled or turned over, Park were able to counterattack with devastating speed that had the Aspatria defence scrambling. Forcing a lineout on the Aspatria 10 metre line, the ball was again moved at speed left with Matt Atkinson almost over before the ball was recycled for centre Bartles-Smith to jink over under the posts on 72 minutes. Paul Spowart converted (62-7). As the clock ticked down there was still time for one more try to begin the title celebrations. Park stole the ball as Aspatria tried to play out of their 22 and the ball was quickly transferred to left wing Seb Reece who sidestepped several tackles to run in under the posts for an excellent try. Spowart converted and the final whistle was blown (69-7).

Cue much celebration as the trophy was presented on the pitch and afterwards in the clubhouse. Aspatria were gracious in defeat and congratulated us on the title win, but in truth, they were simply blown away by a superlative performance from the home side intent on travelling to Northern on the final day of the league season as champions. Every player contributed and played well today and the whole senior squad and the coaches deserve huge credit for all their hard work and commitment in what has been an incredible season, but special mention should be made of Howard Stock who has been an inspiring captain.

Post match, before the celebrations became too raucous, regular standoff Fergus Simpson summed up the game and the season: “Today, I thought we played some of our best rugby of the season, backs and forwards. We knew Aspatria would be very physical, but I thought we coped with that well and in the forwards, we were much the better side. With so much ball we had the freedom to run and some our tries were class. We have worked really hard this year and I have really loved being part of this team and winning the league is very, very special. We deserve it”. It is hard to disagree with those sentiments.

Northern fell at the penultimate hurdle, losing 24-19 at Durham but it mattered not, the five-point haul gained today has Park out of sight at the summit of Regional 2 North and that would have been the case even if our city rivals had won. We thank our visitors for an excellent game and their generosity in defeat and we also thank our referee Diego Ricciardi and hope that he enjoyed his visit to Preston Avenue.

The Lions entertained Tynedale Raiders in an early kick off at Preston Avenue, losing a tough game 26-52 to the Corbridge side. After an excellent and closely fought first half, Tynedale ramped up the pressure in the second half to run away with the game.

There is a two week break before our final league game at McCracken Park on 6 April which is probably just as well given the celebrations on Saturday night! KO is at 3pm. The following weekend, Saturday 13 April, Park begin their Papa John’s Community Cup adventure with a long trip to the Wirral to take on Birkenhead Park in the Regional 2 Championship in a repeat of fixture in last season’s Plate competition, KO again at 3pm. All support would be welcome.

Once again, many congratulations to the lads, PERCY PARK ARE CHAMPIONS!

Percy Park: 15 Ross Young; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ollie Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 James Black; 7 Jake Smith; 6 Jonny Dubois; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Tristan Grant, Mikey Fisher, Fergus Simpson

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