Saturday 10 January 2026

Percy Park 57 Wigton 17

Regional 2 North

(HT: 19-5)

In our first game of the new year, Park enjoyed a convincing win against bottom of the league Wigton with in-form wing Tom Bird scoring five tries. The victory moved Park up to third in the Regional 2 North table though this was only one of two games played in the league owing to the freezing weather of late. Late pitch inspections revealed that the first team pitch was not playable so the game took place on the second team pitch in sunny, though extremely cold, conditions. The game was closer than perhaps the final score suggested with Wigton more than playing their part in an entertaining game, unlucky not to come away with a losing try bonus point. As no scribe was available for the game this is a truncated report with, hopefully, normal service resumed next week.

As is sadly the case, week in week out, there were the usual changes necessary to the team that played in our last home league game just prior to Christmas. In the back line, the injured Seb Reece and unavailable Matt Dunn were replaced by Fergus Simpson (moving from standoff) and the returning Oli Bartles-Smith. Tom Bird returned to the left wing in place of Jacob German who moved to scrumhalf. George Chapman moved to standoff from scrumhalf. In the forwards, Chris Reekie returned to the second row replacing Fraser McGlashan and in the back row, centre Paul Spowart resumed his back row conversion replacing Seth Henderson.

It took just six minutes for Park to register the first score, Tom Bird opening his account, the conversion missed. Four minutes later, fullback Will Ponton scored, George Chapoman converting. Wigton got a foothold in the game, scoring after thirty-six minutes but Park replied instantly two minutes later, Sam Digman scoring with Chapman converting.

HT: Percy Park 19 Wigton 5

The second half was really one way traffic with the home side putting the game beyond Wigton within thirteen minutes of the match resuming. Quick fire tries from Bird (two) and centre Fergus Simpson, all converted by Chapman, gave the hosts an almost unassailable lead 40-5 and although Wigton hit back on eighteen minutes with a converted try, a further Bird try effectively put the game to bed.

A yellow card for hooker Joe Ford (tip tackle) on thirty-four minutes allowed Wigton the opportunity to score their third try a minute later. Park, however, finished with a flourish, Sam Digman and Tom Bird scoring late tries, one converted, to take an emphatic win.

FT: Percy Park 57 Wigton 17

The only other game in the league took place at West Hartlepool, with the hosts defeating Upper Eden 32-21.

The first XV travel to league leaders Northern next Saturday (17 January) in what is bound to be a very hard fought game. KO is 2pm. The Lions have no scheduled fixture but please check club social media platforms as that may change. The Panthers are due to host Alnwick in a league encounter on Sunday 18 January, KO 2pm. The Colts host Redcar on Sunday, KO 1pm. All support for our teams would be gratefully received.

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Tom Bird; 10 George Chapman: 9 Jacob German; 8 Matthew French; 7 Mark Barry; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Dan Shuttleworth

Replacements: Nairn; Hara; Bell

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Saturday 20 December 2025

Percy Park 46 Guisborough 5

Regional 2 North

(HT: 29-0)

After two successive league defeats, Park returned to winning ways in their last game before the festive league break with a comprehensive victory over, on the day, an outclassed Guisborough side. Both sides came into the match with identical playing records, with six wins and one draw from twelve games played, Park six points better off due to more bonus points scored. Park were a completely different side to that which shipped over a point a minute in the opening quarter at Durham City last time out, ensuring that they had a stranglehold on the game from the second minute when Matt Dunn scored their opening try. The game was probably over as a contest by half-time, Park having built a commanding 29-0 lead with the try bonus point secured.

There were the inevitable changes to the side defeated at Durham with Will Ponton moving from centre to fullback. Elsewhere in the backline, Seb Reece made a welcome return to outside centre with Jacob German moving to the left wing from fullback in place of Tom Bird who dropped to the replacements bench. Up front, Matthew French returned to the No 8 position in place of Josh Cox, Mark Barry replacing the unavailable Paul Spowart on the flank, Josh Hedley replacing Sean Nairn in the second row and it was all change in the front row with Dan Shuttleworth moving from hooker to loose head prop, Joe Ford hooking and Sam Digman returning at tighthead. On the replacements bench, Sean Nairn joined Tom Bird and Andrew Walker.

On a dark, dank but dry day, hardly festive season weather, and after a magnificent Christmas Lunch in the Clubhouse, Park kicked off with the visitors immediately knocking on. After several reset scrums, Park carried strongly into the Guisborough 22 and when the ball was moved right, Matt Dunn, running a superb line, cut through the defence to score to the right of the posts on two minutes. Scrumhalf George Chapman converted (7-0). From the restart, Park were relentless in attack, forcing two five metre scrums that they were unable to convert into points but from a lineout midway in the Guisborough half, an excellent cross field kick from standoff Fergus Simpson was two difficult for Guisborough fullback Will Deeks to deal with and his opposite number Will Ponton was on hand to touch down the loose ball on fifteen minutes. Chapman was unable to convert the difficult conversion (12-0).

Guisborough began to get into the game and in the next few minutes had their best spell of possession and territory, eventually managing their first foray into the Park 22. However, when Park regained possession from a defensive lineout they were straight on the offensive, moving the ball at speed and eventually forcing a Guisborough defensive lineout on the left touchline, deep in the visiting 22. Guisborough made a mess of the lineout, Park turning over the ball and after several carries that brought the home side almost to the Guisborough try line, the ball was moved right and after a lovely side step, standoff Fergus Simpson went over to the right of the posts on twenty-four minutes. The try was unconverted (17-0).

Things went from bad to worse a few minutes later, the home side forcing an attacking lineout on the right, five metres out. The catch and drive did not quite go to plan but Park retained possession, the ball moving left infield for, eventually, replacement Andrew Walker to snipe over just to the right of the posts on thirty-two minutes. Chapman converted (24-0).

The visitors were desperate to get a foothold in the game and a storming run from flanker Oliver Muir put them into the Park 22 but they were unable retain possession and great interplay between forwards and backs along the right touchline had Park on the visiting 22 with Guisborough straying offside as the ball was moved infield left. The ball was kicked to the right corner and a perfect catch and drive had (I think) Dan Shuttleworth scoring. It was difficult to see and the video is unclear so if I have credited Dan by mistake, apologies! The try was scored on thirty-eight minutes, and was unconverted (29-0).

HT: Percy Park 29 Guisborough 0

Guisborough started the second half the better side, searching for a way back into the match and enjoying their best attacking spell of the game so far. When three Park players strayed offside on half way, the kick to touch gave the visitors an attacking lineout deep in the home 22. The catch and drive was stopped at source but Guisborough moved the ball right and then left but too laterally, steadily giving up territory to the home sides ferocious defence, eventually knocking on under the pressure. Park, with real pace, soon had the ball in the Guisborough 22 and, after turning the ball over after a home defensive scrum, soon added to their score. The ball was moved right and when the final pass had captain Howard Stock isolated on the right wing, he did really well to keep the ball alive. It was moved infield, Josh Hedley used his strength to break the defensive line and an excellent offload had flanker Seth Henderson score just to the left of the posts on fifty-one minutes, Chapman converting (36-0).

There was no let up by the home side who were immediately on the attack from the restart with only desperate defence by the visitors keeping their line intact but, when Guisborough were penalised for a high tackle and Park were unable to make anything of the advantage played, referee Alun Ross brought play back midway inside the visiting 22 for Chapman to kick the penalty goal on fifty-seven minutes (39-0).

From the restart, Guisborough gained possession but were stopped around the home 22 metre line only for centre Matt Dunn to stray offside. The resultant penalty kick was put into the right corner and although the catch and drive was stopped, Guisborough retained the ball probing the home defence on their try line. The excellent Park defence held firm only for a ruck infringement to give the visitors a penalty in front of the posts. A quick tap was held but the ball was moved swiftly right for fullback Will Deeks to wriggle over in the right corner after fifty-nine minutes, scrumhalf George Speakman unable to kick the difficult conversion (39-5).

Guisborough had their tails up over the next ten minutes with catch and drives in both the left and right corners, each one repelled by superb Park defence but when the ball was turned over in the Park 22, the home side struck with devastating speed to score the best try of the game. Matt Dunn made an electrifying break into the Guisborough half, the move taken on along the left touchline, and when the move broke down just inside the Guisborough half, there was Will Ponton to pick up and go over unopposed for the final try of the match after seventy minutes, Chapman converting (46-5).

The final ten minutes provided no further scoring, both sides tiring after a hard-fought game.

FT: Percy Park 46 Guisborough 5

Post match, captain Howard Stock was a happy man: “The win was well deserved, we really played well and it is just what we needed after the last couple of weeks. After last weekend, we really wanted a response and the lads delivered. A bonus point win just before the league break will give us confidence for the games ahead and a chance to get into the league play offs. A job well done today”. The only blemish on the game from a Park perspective was a shoulder injury to centre Seb Reece who may be out of action for a few weeks. Our thanks to Guisborough for a good, hard game and to the referee Alun Ross.

The team played well as the captain acknowledged with everyone contributing and the bonus point win moves Park up to third in the Regional 2 North table. Northern and Consett have put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack with just six points separating Park in third and Upper Eden in eighth. All to play for in the new year!

Our grateful thanks to Guisborough RUFC for the photograph

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Matt Dunn; 11 Jacob German; 10 Fergus Simpson: 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Mark Barry; 5 Fraser McGlashan; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Dan Shuttleworth

Replacements: Sean Nairn; Andrew Walker; Tom Bird

 

Friday 26 December 2025

Whitley Bay Rockcliff 35 Percy Park 62

Moore Cup

(HT: 24-21)

In front of a large Boxing Day crowd, and following an absolute cracker of a match between our respective Colts (see separate post), Whitley Bay Rockcliff hosted Percy Park in the annual festive game, first played 135 years ago on Boxing Day 1890. A newspaper at the time described that very first game as ‘one of the most stubbornly fought club games ever played in the district’ and this game was no different! After an excellent first half, Rockcliff held a slender lead 24-21 but after the break it was really all one-way traffic but make no mistake, this was a hard-fought game. There was a poignant edge to the day with fundraising for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity in memory of Rockcliff’s U13 player James Black who tragically passed away in October last.

Park fielded a strong side with Ash Smith and Chris Reekie returning to the side and in a late change, the very versatile Paul Spowart came in as No 8! The only problem for this scribe were the number of replacements, with the match becoming very much like a rugby league style revolving door as players came and went! 

On a cold, dry day, Park kicked off but it was Rockcliff who came out of the blocks the fastest, scoring two excellent tries through their half backs in the first fifteen minutes. Returning captain and scrum half Sam Train got the first after just eight minutes, the second from standoff Will Forster after fourteen minutes, Forster converting both to open up a fourteen point lead.

The visitors hit back almost immediately, gaining a penalty in front of the posts after Rockcliff strayed offside. Electing the scrum, Park got the shove on and No 8 Spowart was able to touch down to narrow the gap, converting his own try on nineteen minutes. The scores were level on twenty-six minutes after a long period of possession and territory, Sam Digman going over under the posts after excellent work from the forwards from another scrum. Spowart again converted (14-14).

Rockcliff refused to lie down and got themselves back in front when, after great work from Train and his forwards to get into the visiting 22, left wing Aiden Lydall, running a great line, split the Park defence to score to the left of the posts on thirty minutes, Forster converting (21-14). The home side were disrupted when No 8 Connor Madden suffered a head injury as Park applied the pressure which finally told after thirty-five minutes when, after a Rockcliff infringement allowed the visitors to kick into the right corner, second row Chris Reekie scored after a text book catch and drive. Spowart kicked the conversion to level the scores again (21-21). As the first half ended, Rockcliff kicked a penalty to take a narrow lead into the break.

HT: Whitley Bay Rockcliff 24 Percy Park 21

Rockcliff kicked off the second half and from the restart Park gained possession, moved the ball at speed up field, backs and forwards combining for second row Chris Reekie to crash over for his second try, Spowart converting to put Park in front for the first time in the match. (24-28). Back came the hosts, scoring a sensational try to regain the lead. A brilliant break from centre Matt Brister, followed by a deft cross field chip, was taken over the line by Lydall for a great try on forty-seven minutes. Forster converted (31-28).

The next try was equally as good as Park scored to restore a lead that they would never relinquish. A break by replacement wing Tom Bird along the left touchline left the home defence trailing in his wake and his inside pass found fullback Will Ponton who scored on fifty-two minutes. The conversion was missed (31-33). From then on, until the dying seconds, Park dominated scoring five tries. After fifty-four minutes, Spowart scored his second following a midfield break, on fifty-nine minutes replacement Dan Jackson touched down, ten minutes later it was Reekie scoring his hat trick after great work by both Park centres in midfield, replacement Archie Graham scored after seventy-two minutes with the Park scoring completed by scrumhalf Jacob German after seventy-five minutes, of which two were converted by replacement James Towell. Rockcliff got their reward for never giving up as the clock entered the red zone, flanker Idris Pritchard scoring in the left corner.

FT: Whitley Bay Rockcliff 36 Percy Park 62

A highly competitive match played in the right spirit and afterwards, the craic was everything that this fixture always delivers, a wonderful atmosphere in the Hillheads clubhouse, the result an afterthought. Our grateful thanks to both sets of players and to the officials for giving up their time and to Rockcliff for their wonderful hospitality. The Boxing Day fixture is one that I hope lasts for another 135 years and beyond.

Our next 1^st XV fixture is on Saturday 10 January 2026 when we entertain Wigton at Preston Avenue, KO 3pm. The Lions fixture for that weekend will be confirmed as soon as possible. The Panthers resume their league campaign in NC 2 North (North) on Sunday 11 January when they travel to Ponteland, KO 2pm. The Colts host Northern at home on Sunday in the County Plate Semi-Final, KO 1pm.

Percy Park: 15 Will Ponton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Matt Dunn; 12 Isaac Nokes; 11 Tom Bird; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Jacob German; 8 Paul Spowart; 7 Fraser McGlashan; 6 Mark Barry; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sean Nairn; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Sam Digman

Replacements: Josh Eapen; Jack White; Jamie Guthrie; Ben Coates; Archie Graham; James Towell; James Hare; Josh Bailey; Dan Jackson

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Saturday 13 December 2025

Durham City 32 Percy Park 21

Regional 2 North

(HT: 24-7)

Park made the relatively short journey south on Saturday last to take on Durham City, hoping to put on a much better performance from that at home to Consett a week ago. Sadly, an opening twenty-minute horror show from the visitors allowed the home side to score at over a point a minute with Park facing a twenty-four deficit with the first quarter of the game barely over. Park did rally after the awful start but the deficit was just too great, only able to get within eight points of the hosts late in the second half.

With injuries and unavailability again affecting selection options, there were several changes to the side defeated by Consett with, in the backline, Matt Dunn replacing Fergus Simpson in the centre, Fergus moving to standoff in place of George Chapman. The versatile Chapman moved to scrumhalf, Freddie Harra dropping to the bench. In the forwards there were two changes, Fraser McGlashan replacing Josh Hedley bat lock and Dan Shuttleworth replacing joe Ford at hooker. Ford joined Harra and fit again Matthew French on the replacements bench.

On a sunny but cold afternoon, it took the home side just four minutes to open their account, centre Ben Speight scoring, standoff James Lythgoe converting (7-0). Just three minutes later, Lythgoe extended the lead when he kicked a penalty (10-0). Things got worse for the visitors when Durham scored again after eleven minutes, this time fullback Tom Harvey going over, Lythgoe again converting (17-0). On twenty minutes Park conceded a third try, openside flanker Herbie Hay the scorer, Lythgoe converting (24-0). Park appeared to be still on the bus and the game was effectively already won. Park did begin to play and their defence stiffened and as the halftime whistle approached, No 8 Josh Cox went over, the try converted by George Chapman.

HT: Durham City 24 Percy Park 7

Ten minutes into the second half Park scored again through fullback Jacob German to give the Park faithful some hope, the again converted by Chapman (24-14). As the game entered the final few minutes there was a run of scoring. Firstly, Durham scored to put the final nail in the Park coffin and extinguish any hope of a comeback when Lythgoe scored an unconverted try on seventy-six minutes (29-14). Park hit back from the restart, Matt Dunn scoring converted by Chapman but it was Lythgoe who had the final word when he slotted a penalty a minute from time (32-21).

FT: Durham City 32 Percy Park 21

The defeat leaves Park in fifth place in Regional 2 North. The Panthers hosted Whitley Bay Rockcliff on Sunday and in a fiercely contested game succumbed 7-27 although the score did not reflect how close the game was. Next weekend, Park host Guisborough in their final home game of 2025, KO 2.30 pm. The game is preceded by the Club Christmas Lunch. The Lions are also in action (opponents not known at time of posting this article) but the match will KO at Preston Avenue at 1.30 pm.

Percy Park: 15 Jacob German; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Will Ponton; 12 Matt Dunn; 11 Tom Bird; 10 Fergus Simpson: 9 George Chapman; 8 Josh Cox; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Sean Nairn; 4 Fraser McGlashan; 3 Nick Macklin-Copeland; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Joe Ford; Matthew French; Freddie Harra

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Saturday 6 December 2025

Percy Park 19 Consett 37

Regional 2 North

(HT: 7-27)

Over the past few games, Percy Park have managed some excellent results despite the huge number of players missing through injury and unavailability but we were unable to sustain that momentum when in form Consett, at full strength, inflicted a comprehensive 19-37 home defeat on Saturday last. The game was effectively over at half time with Consett leading 7-27 after a dominant first half from the visitors.

There were numerous changes to the side that won at Morpeth last weekend with Jacob German replacing Tom Robinson at fullback, Will Ponton making a welcome return from his sojourn in New Zealand at centre in place of the unavailable Seb Reece with Freddie Harra replacing Andrew Walker at scrumhalf. In the forwards, Joe Ford replaced Dan Shuttleworth at hooker, Nick Macklin-Copeland came into the front row in place of Sam Digman with Sean Nairn replacing the suspended Chris Reekie in the second row. A whole new replacements bench was required, Eddie Saint, Jake Bell and Matt Dunn.

Consett kicked off, the conditions damp and murky, the pitch heavy through continual midweek rain, and for the first few minutes the contest was fairly even, with the visitors probably having slightly more in the way of possession and territory without creating any real opportunities but all that changed after seven minutes when, from a ruck on their right midway inside the Park half, Consett moved the ball left and a mazy run from centre Kevan Slow created the overlap with second row Jack Read scoring wide out in the left corner. The try was unconverted (0-5).

Things got even worse for the home side when, just three minutes later, Consett scored again. From a scrum on halfway, Consett won a penalty but the referee played advantage as superb hands had the ball moving at speed left for replacement Will Penrose to score an excellent try wide out on the left. This was also unconverted by fullback Brandon Asher-Wood (0-10).

The visitors began to dominate proceedings with Park hard pressed to deal with the physicality of their forwards and the speed of their backline. Only a penalty awarded for crossing saved Park after another excellent move by the Consett backs had pierced the Park defence. After Park knocked on after a lineout on halfway, more superb work by the Consett backline had the Park defence at sixes and sevens and only a high tackle prevented a score. The referee again played advantage but when nothing came of it, Asher-Wood kicked the penalty to stretch the lead on twenty-one minutes (0-13).

Park began to win some meaningful possession and play in the Consett half but without creating any real scoring opportunities and when the ball was turned over Consett were able to force a lineout on halfway. From there, they were able to keep possession through multiple phases, eventually winning a scrum and from there, quick hands again moving the ball left had standoff Ish Perkins run a great line to score to the left of the posts on twenty-one minutes. Asher-Wood converted (0-20).

The home side were then able to build a head of steam, eventually earning a penalty midfield that was sent into the right corner. From there, a textbook catch and drive saw emergency flanker Paul Spowart (who has been playing really well in his unaccustomed position) go over, Paul also kicking an excellent conversion on twenty-eight minutes (7-20). The home side joy was short lived however, Consett scoring another excellent try on thirty-four minutes after another excellent break from Slow completely split the Park defence and Perkins was on hand to score his second try to earn the bonus point for his side. Asher-Wood converted (7-27).

In the last few minutes of the half, Park exerted pressure on the Consett try line, spurning two kickable penalties in search of a try but the ball was knocked forward and the chance was lost.

HT: Percy Park 7 Consett 27

Things did not start off too well in the second half, an early penalty for offside on halfway allowing Consett to kick deep into the Park 22. This enabled Consett to exert real pressure on the Park line with only desperate defence from the home side preventing the score. When, finally, Park were penalised two metres out from their line for preventing release of the ball at a ruck, a quick tap and go had prop Elijah Brookes-Bowen go over just to the left of the posts. Scrumhalf Lewis Bowman missed the conversion on 47 minutes (7-32).

Consett continued to dominate possession and territory but when they conceded a penalty on the home 22, it allowed Park, eventually, to force a scrum on halfway. The ball was kicked towards the right corner only for the Consett to fumble leaving skipper Howard Stock, following up superbly, free to pick up the ball and scamper over to the right of the posts on sixty-four minutes. Spowart missed the conversion (12-32). However, any Park joy was relatively short lived as just a few minutes later, it was Park conceding a penalty for nor releasing with the kick being put into the left corner. The catch and drive from the visitors was excellent, allowing hooker Jack Yarrell to peel off and score. Bowman missed the conversion (12-37).

With the game lost, Park at least had the last hurrah when, after a scrum around the Consett 22, a clever cross kick had the Consett defence scrambling but unable to stop replacement Matt Dunn from picking up and scoring to the left of the posts, Chapman converting (19-37).

FT: Percy Park 19 Consett 37

A difficult day, facing a very good Consett side short of so many players and in truth, Park were second best from the start. The game was probably over by halftime but the lads never gave up and actually won the second half 12-10.

The defeat means that Consett now take our place in second in Regional 2 North with Park slipping down to fourth behind Sunderland. Things do not get much easier next week as the team travel to Durham City, KO 2pm. On Sunday, the Panthers take on fierce rivals Rockcliff, KO 2pm. All support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jacob German; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Will Ponton; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Tom Bird; 10 George Chapman; 9 Freddie Harra; 8 Josh Cox; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Sean Nairn; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Nick Macklin-Copeland; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Eddie Saint; Jake Bell; Matt Dunn

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