Saturday 4 October 2025

Wigton 7 Percy Park 26

Regional 2 North

(HT: 0-14)

For the Park faithful who made the trip to Cumbria last weekend, braving the high winds from Storm Amy along the A69, this was a game that will probably not live long in the memory. A swirling wind (although thankfully no rain), indiscipline and some poor handling ensured Park made life difficult for themselves and despite the lion’s share of possession and territory, at the final whistle there was a sense of disappointment that the margin of victory was not greater with the bonus point try only coming in the final seconds of the game.

Due to injury and unavailability, there were a number of changes to the side that won at Guisborough last time out. In the forwards, there was a completely new back row of Seth Henderson, Fraser McGlashan and Connor Bowran replacing the injured duo of Karl Thompson and Leo Caulfield and the unavailable Matthew French. There were new half backs with Fergus Simpson returning for his first game of the season at standoff in place of Ash Smith with Andrew Walker replacing Jacob German at scrumhalf. Seb Reece returned on the right wing in place of Thomas Bird who dropped to the replacements bench alongside George Chapman and Nick Macklin-Copeland. Prop Sam Digman captained the side.

On a very windy, overcast but dry day Wigton kicked off into the breeze and the conditions played havoc with early attempts to kick out of hand but it was the visitors who applied the early pressure, only for a penalty for crossing on the home 22 to halt their momentum. Park, however, were in the ascendency at they were ahead after only five minutes. A Wigton line out on their own 22 metre line was put under pressure and the ball turned over by the Park forwards. Quick hands had the ball moved right at speed for wing Seb Reece trio go over five metres in from the right touchline. Centre Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion in the swirling wind (0-7). Apart from the kick-off, Wigton had not yet managed a passage of play in Park territory.

From the restart an excellent box kick from scrumhalf Andrew Walker immediately put Wigton on the back foot and they struggled to put any meaningful phases of play together playing into the wind. Although Park had the territory, they were conceding needless penalties that allowed the home side to relieve the pressure but the visitors fashioned another score for Reece after fourteen minutes after some excellent play. From a scrum on the Wigton 10 metre line, the ball was moved left for centre Oli Bartles-Smith to make ground and when he was tackled, the ball was quickly moved right for the wing to cut inside the last defender and score wide on the right. Spowart kicked another superb conversion (0-14).

After the score, Wigton had their best spell of the first half, keeping the ball in the forwards and using their big men to make ground aided by a growing penalty count from the visitors gifting them possession and territory but in a ten to fifteen minute spell of pressure never really looked as if they could create a try scoring opportunity. The remainder of the half saw Park dominate but only create one real chance to add to their score, a quick tap penalty from Reece that led to fellow wing Ross Young almost in at the left corner. Despite the stranglehold, repeated indiscipline and a number of handling errors hampered Park who were unable to add to their score before the break.

HT: Wigton 0 Percy Park 14

Park were immediately on the attack as the second half got underway, both Seb Reece and Andrew Walker gaining ground but yet another infringement allowed Wigton to clear the danger. Fullback Jordan Carey left the field, Walker moving to replace him in the back three and George Chapman making a welcome return from injury going to scrumhalf. After the home side were penalised twice in quick succession (both side entry to the breakdown), Park elected to scrum deep in the Wigton 22 but after several phases they knocked on almost underneath the Wigton posts.

As the Wigton standoff attempted to break out he was high tackled by Chapman who was given an immediate yellow card by the referee on fifty minutes. Wigton seemed to sense their opportunity with Park down to fourteen men and with the strong wind behind them began to kick deep into visiting territory in an effort to gain ground and force their way back into the game. The tactic had limited success until the match had just entered the fourth quarter when a long kick to the Park 22 bore fruit when Park lost their own throw at the subsequent lineout. Several good carries, aided by penalty advantages, had the home side on the Park line but excellent defence held them up. Park were penalised at the resulting scrum enabling the Wigton No.8 to crash over just to the left of the posts on sixty-six minutes. The try was converted (after the second attempt) (7-14).

It became difficult for either side to put together any meaningful passages of play with the referee’s whistle a constant source of stoppage. When Park were awarded a penalty just outside the Wigton 22, Chapman (now back on the field of play) took a quick tap to motor into the home 22 only to be penalised for holding on, much to the surprise of the visitors and an injudicious comment resulted in Park being marched ten yards back. A Park scrum midway in the Wigton half did allow the ball to be moved at speed left only for Young to be tackled just short of the line but with the visitors awarded a  five metre scrum, this was their opportunity and they took it. As the Wigton eight were moved backwards over their line Chapman picked up to dot the ball down in the left corner on seventy-three minutes. Spowart missed the difficult conversion against the wind (7-19).

The remaining few minutes saw indiscipline hamper any real momentum until the clock was in the red zone when Park scored the try of the match. The visitors turned the ball over in their own 22 and quick hands moved the ball left for wing Ross Young to sprint the remaining length of the field, stepping inside the last man to score the bonus point try to the left of the posts. Spowart kicked the conversion (7-26).

FT: Wigton 7 Percy Park 26

A hard watch for sure but a bonus point win secured so a job well done in difficult conditions. There was little continuity, with the penalty count a real concern although it has to be said, there appeared to be complete bafflement with some decisions given but, as we all know, the referee is the sole judge and, for whatever reason or reasons, we seemed to be on the wrong side of things.

There were positives, the scrum was dominant with captain Sam Digman leading by example and the new back row played well. The disappointment was after a bright start the game became stop and start but credit where credit is due, they found a way to score two late tries to secure the bonus point. Wigton, newly promoted, found it a tough ask but defended well and with only ten minutes remaining were only one score adrift. We thank them for a tough game and for their hospitality and look forward to the return later in the season.

Next up in Regional 2 North next Saturday are Northern, first vs second in the league, KO 3pm.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Seb Reece; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Connor Bowran; 7 Fraser McGlashan; 6 Seth Henderson; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Michael Birkett; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman

Replacements: Nichols Macklin-Copeland; George Chapman; Thomas Bird

Saturday 20 September 2025

Guisborough 12 Percy Park 20

Regional 2 North

(HT: 12-10)

In atrocious conditions, with torrential rain falling throughout, the players from both teams deserve immense credit for their efforts, a hard fought game with Park, in particular, attempting to play an expansive game despite the awful weather. Trailing 12-3 late in the first half, the visitors rallied to shut the door on the hosts in the second and record their first victory on the road in this new season.

The Park forwards were unchanged from last weekends victory over Durham City with injury and unavailability necessitating several changes to the back line. The versatile Jacob German moved from the left wing to scrum half in place of the injured George Chapman with fit again Ross Young taking his place. In the centres, Oli Bartles-Smith moved from inside to outside centre to replace the unavailable Seb Reece with Paul Spowart coming in at No 12. There was an all new replacements bench comprising Tristan Grant, Karl Thompson and Andrew Walker.

Guisborough kicked off but it was Percy Park who had the better of the early exchanges with the home side having to work hard to hold up two visiting catch and drives in the first few minutes of the game. With Park enjoying possession and territory in the home 22, Guisborough were forced into desperate defending but after eight minutes they were caught offside and from the right of the posts Paul Spowart opened the scoring with a well struck penalty (0-3).  

It was against the run of play that the home side scored their first points of the match. In their first meaningful visit to the Park 22, they gained a lineout on their right touchline. The ball came infield and a series of carries looked to have been contained but a missed tackle created some space for home prop Charlie Jones to crash over close to the left corner on twelve minutes. The difficult conversion was missed (5-3).

Park were attempting to play an expansive game, despite the conditions, but could not seem to create any real penetration. When a Guisborough scrum was splintered midway in home territory, a penalty to the left corner offered hope. The catch and drive was held up but the ball was moved infield for a scrum to be awarded to the visitors in front of the posts, only for Park to be penalised for a crooked feed! It was a costly mistake because within a minute, Guisborough scored their second try with their second visit to the visiting 22. A loose Guisborough kick into the visiting 22 saw standoff Ash Smith attempt the clearance, only for the kick to be charged down by home skipper and No 8 Charlie Mellor who gathered and ran in unopposed on twenty-four minutes, wing Isaac Fisher converting (12-3).  

As the rain seemed to intensify, the visitors with the majority of both possession and territory were struggling to break down a stubborn Guisborough defence but just before halftime, Park got themselves firmly back in the match. When Guisborough were again caught offside in front of their posts, Smith kicked to the right corner. The catch and drive from the lineout was stopped but Park recycled the ball through several phases for prop Michael Birkett to score to the right of the posts. Spowart converted (12-10).

A thumping tackle by visiting No 8 Matthew French on halfway was the last play of the first half.

HT: Guisborough 12 Percy Park 10

The home side got the second half underway and within five minutes, Park regained the lead with their second try. A Guisborough infringement had Park kicking the penalty into the home 22 on the left touchline. The ball was quickly moved infield and determined carries by both Matthew French and Ash Smith gained ground with second row Chris Reekie unstoppable from two metres to score to the left of the posts. Spowart converted (12-17).

Guisborough did gain some momentum as the game entered the last quarter but some excellent maul defence nullified any threat with captain Leo Caulfield, French and Reekie outstanding. Although handling was at times a lottery given the conditions, Park continued to try to play out wide and although mistakes abounded, Guisborough never seriously threatened the Park line. As the clock entered the red, a poor tackle by home wing Isaac Fisher took out Park wing Ross Young in the air with referee Phil Gordge showing the home player a yellow card. Spowart kicked the resulting penalty with Mr Gordge sounding the final whistle immediately after (12-20). The penalty put paid to a losing bonus point for the home side.

FT: Guisborough 12 Percy Park 20  

Post match, player/coach Ash Smith had this to say: “Awful conditions, a ball like a bar of soap, it was scrappy but in that rain the game was always going to be. We tried to play but the conditions were tough. That said, I thought that our defence was exceptional with both of their tries coming off our mistakes and in the second half they didn’t really threaten. A job well done all things considered”.

A job well done indeed and, as said before, credit to both sides in the way they dealt with the conditions. The Park forwards were excellent throughout, putting in a real shift denying Guisborough any meaningful possession and, in truth, the visitors dominated possession and territory, particularly in the second half. Guisborough defended doggedly and took their limited chances well and we wish them well for the season and thank them for a good, hard game. Our thanks also to referee Phil Gordge.

It was a good weekend all round for the Club as far as results go, with the Lions scoring five tries in a 27-14 home win over Sunderland, the Panthers opening their NC 3 North (North) account with a 10-0 home win over Berwick and, finally, the Colts continued their superb start to the season with a 43-17 win at Preston Avenue against Novocastrians.

Next weekend, both the 1^st XV and the Panthers have a free weekend but on Saturday, the Lions travel to Tynedale KO 3pm and on Sunday the Colts travel to Redcar, KO 1pm. All support for our teams would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Thomas Bird; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Ross Young; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Jacob German; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield ©; 6 James Pennington; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Michael Birkett; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman

Replacements: Tristan Grant; Karl Thompson; Andrew Walker

Saturday 13 September 2025

Percy Park 38 Durham City 32

Regional 2 North

(HT: 31-10)

Durham City were the visitors for Park’s first home game of the season, the team eager to put the awful defeat at West Hartlepool firmly behind them and, by half-time, it seemed as though they had with a very healthy 31-10 lead after some great rugby played. However, worryingly, the second half witnessed another collapse but unlike last weekend, Park held on for the bonus point win. This was a great game for the neutral, not so great for the respective defence coaches.

There were several changes to the side defeated last time out, Jordan Carey returned to the starting lineup at fullback, George Chapman moving to scrumhalf in place of the unavailable Andrew Walker. Oli Bartles-Smith moved to inside centre from the left wing in place of Paul Spowart with Thomas Bird debuting in the number 11 shirt. In the forwards, Sam Digman replaced Tristan Grant, with another debutant James Pennington replacing Karl Thompson on the flank. On the replacements bench alongside Spowart were Tom Robinson and Joe Ford. Leo Caulfield captained the side.

On a damp overcast day with rain showers, Durham City kicked off but the home side were quickly on the scoreboard when George Chapman kicked a penalty on two minutes after a high tackle just outside the Durham 10 metre line straight onto the posts (3-0).

Park were looking to get the ball wide and had much the better possession and territory from the early exchanges. From a Park scrum just inside the viusiting 22, No 8 Matthew French took the ball right and when the ball was eventually moved left and up to the Durham line after multiple phases, second row Chris Reekie crashed over under the posts on eight minutes with Chapman kicking the conversion (10-0).

The hosts continued to dominate, Seb Reece just losing out in a chase after the ball was kicked into the Durham in goal area, with only indiscipline allowing Durham to escape the stranglehold. Just when it appeared that Durham were finally getting a foothold into the game, Park struck again. A Park penalty gave the home side the option of a lineout on the Durham 22 in the right corner and just as it looked as if the resulting maul had been stopped, No 8 French shrugged off what looked like five or six tackles to go over to the right of the posts on twenty minutes for an excellent individual try. Chapman kicked the conversion but seemed to injure himself in the process and was replaced by Tom Robinson (17-0).

Durham were able to respond immediately when a penalty for a high tackle straight from the restart was kicked by fullback Scott Rochester on twenty-three minutes (17-3). As Park pressed again, they were awarded a scrum just inside the visiting 22 straight onto the posts and after several phases with centre Seb Reece and prop Sam Digman prominent, scrumhalf George Chapman, who had returned to the field of play, was able to burrow over under the posts on twenty-seven minutes, outside half Ash Smith converting (24-3).

From the restart, the Durham backs, previously starved of possession, immediately showed what they could do. Durham won the ball from the kick-off and a deft kick, chase and gather from right wing Rory Marsden allowed him to give the scoring pass to centre Nathan Bushnell to go over just to the right of the posts on twenty-nine minutes, Rochester converting (24-10).

A Durham clearance kick from the restart failed to reach their left touchline and Park moved the ball swiftly left. A storming run along the left touchline by wing Jacob German nearly resulted in a great try but the ball was swiftly recycled and moved right at speed for wing Thomas Bird to score the bonus point try in the right corner on thirty-three minutes, Smith missing the difficult conversion (31-10). Neither side was able to add to the scoreboard before the half time whistle, Park held up on the Durham line as it was sounded.

HT: Percy Park 31 Durham City 10

Park began the second half but it was the Durham forwards to the fore, showing much more aggression and allowing their team to finally play on the front foot. Their much improved performance allowed their backs to show their quality after just six minutes of the second half when slick handling allowed stand off James Lythgoe to scythe through the Park defence to score under the posts, Rochester converting (31-17).

From a long Durham clearance kick Park needlessly knocked-on in their own 22 and from trhe scrum, Durham edged forward through multiple phases towards the Park line, aided by several penalty advantages called by referee Adam Morrison. When Park strayed offside yet again, City elected to kick for goal with Rochester kicking the points from in front of the posts on fifty-six minutes (31-20).

Durham scored again seven minutes later when, from a loose clearance kick, the visitors were allowed to build momentum through their forwards into the home 22 creating just enough space for fullback Scott Rochester to split the home defence with an angled run to the line and score a great try on sixty-three minutes which he converted himself (31-27).

The Park faithful must have been fearing a repeat of the game at West Hartlepool and so must the players because they then produced their best rugby of the second half. Sustained pressure in the visiting 22, prop Sam Digman and second row Chris Reekie to the fore, saw replacement scrumhalf Tom Robinson scamper through a gap in the visiting defence to score under the posts to give Park some breathing space on sixty-seven minutes, Smith adding the conversion (38-27). The score proved vital as Durham sought the try bonus point in the last ten minutes of the match.

The home side, without too much territory, defended well over the next few minutes but when a hopeful grubber kick was knocked on by the Park defence, two successive Durham free kicks, the second a tap and go a couple of metres from the Park line had centre James Coxon eventually scoring Durham’s bonus point try with three minutes of the match remaining, the score converted by Rochester (38-32).

A nervy last couple of minutes saw Park concede a penalty for a deliberate knock-on, leading to a Durham lineout on the Park 10 metre line. As the ball was moved in field Durham knocked on at the breakdown and referee Morrison signalled full time.

FT: Percy Park 38 Durham City 32  

A very entertaining and open game and definitely one of two halves. In the first, Park were excellent and with Chapman at scrumhalf keeping them on the front foot, played some great rugby. However, when Chapman went off early in the second half the home side seemed to go off the boil and, credit to Durham, our visitors took full advantage. There was no doubt, post match, that the home side were relieved to get the win but the worry must be that for the second match in succession a big lead has been surrendered in the second half of the game. Durham played exceptionally well in the second half and deserved the two bonus points earned. We thank Durham for a hard but fair game, refereed very well by Adam Morrison, and wish them well for the remainder of then season and look forward to the return at Hollow Drift in December. Our thanks to Mr Morrison who we hope to see back at Preston Avenue in the not too distant future.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Jacob German; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Oli Bartles-Smith; 11 Thomas Bird; 10 Ash Smith; 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield ©; 6 james Pennington; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Michael Birkett; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman

Replacements: Joe Ford; Tom Robinson; Paul Spowart

Saturday 6 September 2025

West Hartlepool 35 Percy Park 31

Regional 2 North

(HT: 9-17)

There was, after our opening league game of the new season, definitely a feeling of déjà vu! Three seasons ago, Park travelled to West and with ten minutes to go held a comfortable thirteen point lead only for two yellow cards and two late converted West tries to enable the home side to win by a point. The turnaround on Saturday was even worse, a commanding lead 9-31 on the hour proving insufficient, the visitors handed two yellow cards and West overcoming the deficit to triumph 35-31. The simple truth was that Park imploded in those last twenty minutes to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

On a dry, breezy day with some sunshine, Park kicked off the new season and with standoff Ash Smith and No 8 Matthew French prominent in the early exchanges, Park enjoyed the early advantage in both territory and possession. Despite this there were signs that the visiting lineout was not functioning as two were lost in attacking positions inside the West 22 in the first few minutes. Park put the first points on the board after 12 minutes when a high tackle in the home 22 gave Paul Spowart the opportunity to kick a penalty (0-3).

From the restart West came into the game and were quickly level, Park straying offside on their 22 metre line in front of the posts to allow home standoff Jobe Roxby to kick the penalty after 15 minutes (3-3). Park conceded a scrum from the restart and the visiting pack were splintered by a fired-up home eight but in doing so infringed and quick thinking by the returning Andrew Walker at scrum-half had him take a quick tap and scythe through the home defence and a pass left to the supporting Seb Reece had the Park centre scoring underneath the posts for the try on 17 minutes, converted by Spowart (3-10).

West were able to reduce the deficit 3 minutes later when a high tackle in front of the posts allowed Roxby to kick his second penalty (6-10). From the restart West began to dominate, the Park set piece struggling with two lineouts lost in quick succession. Park, under pressure, were again caught offside just inside their 22 in front of the posts and Roxby kicked the penalty on 26 minutes (9-10). West were straight on the attack from the restart but a Park turnover had Spowart and wing Oli Bartles-Smith send Reece into space with the centre brought down two metres from the West line and this seemed to lift the visiting forwards and as the clock ticked down to half-time, Park won a scrum just inside the West 22 several metres infield. The ball was moved right and three or four phases had prop Michael Birkett in under the posts for Spowart to convert on the half-time whistle.

HT: West Hartlepool 9 Percy Park 17 

The home side kicked off the second half but fell further behind after only 3 minutes. A home penalty after a Park high tackle gave West an attacking lineout in the visiting 22 on their right but Park were awarded a scrum after a lineout knock-on and from the scrum, Park moved the ball right for debutant replacement Monty Snarey to break the home defensive line, kick ahead and allow another debutant, fullback George Chapman, to score to the right of the posts for a stunning try. Chapman converted his score (9-24).

With the Park scrum gaining parity with the home eight, two very quick successive penalties had a Park lineout in the left corner. The ball was won, quickly moved right for Chapman to score his second (and the bonus point) try on 49 minutes, the fullback again kicking the conversion (9-31).

This, sadly, was the Park highpoint as the remainder of the game saw Park implode completely, not helped by indiscipline (mainly repeated high tackles) which resulted in two yellow cards, and West take complete control of the match. Park were under the cosh for the next 10 minutes or so as West sought a way back into the game. Two penalties, one for yet another high tackle and one for offside, had West deep inside the visiting 22 and from a scrum several metres from the Park line saw the home side move the ball right as the visiting forwards were being marched back inly for Bartles-Smith to be given a yellow card by referee Andy Fisher for a deliberate knock-on. West elected a scrum, No 8 and captain Chris Atkins scoring their first try as the Park scrum splintered going backwards. Roxby converted on 60 minutes (16-31).

Worse was to follow just 4 minutes later when West were awarded a penalty try. Multiple phases had West deep in the visiting 22 and as they drove for the line Park flanker Karl Thompson high tackled a home player on the try line and was immediately shown a yellow card by referee Fisher (23-31). Park were now down to thirteen men and West sensed an unlikely victory was now possible. The visitors were unable to control the ball and when it was turned over they were penalised for a deliberate knock-on. West were able to kick to the right corner and execute a perfect catch and drive, hooker Aiden Jackson-Smith scoring the try on 68 minutes. Roxby missed the conversion, the ball striking the upright (28-31).

On 74 minutes, the remarkable turnaround was completed with West scoring under the posts. Park were unable to break the home stranglehold after the restart and a loose clearance kick was seized upon by the home side, three missed tackles and replacement Adam Hutchinson was in under the posts to give scrumhalf Matt Siddle an easy conversion (35-31).

Park were able to rouse themselves and gain possession in the West 22 but the ball was turned over and a penalty conceded for yet another high tackle with the full-time whistle coming shortly thereafter.

FT: West Hartlepool 35 Percy Park 31

Player/Coach Ash Smith was understandably dejected post match: “It was a disaster. We just wouldn’t listen, time and time again we were penalised for high tackles but we kept on shooting ourselves in the foot. We struggled at times up front but the penalty count killed us. How can you win games with only thirteen players? This will be a hard lesson but at least it’s the first game. Credit to West Hartlepool, to come back from that scoreline early in the second half was fantastic”.

The pack did struggle, the lineout just didn’t function for the majority of the game and the penalty count, particularly for high tackles as Ash Smith alluded to, killed off any momentum in the second half. On the plus side, the Park backs looked sharp and debutants George Chapman and Monty Snarey both played well. For West, standoff Jobe Roxby was excellent and their pack played really well, particularly in the second half. We congratulate them on the win and thank them for a hard game and their hospitality and wish them well this season. Our thanks also to referee Andy Fisher from the Durham Society.

Next Saturday Park entertain Durham City in our first home league game of the season, KO at Preston Avenue is at 3pm.

Percy Park: 15 George Chapman; 14 Jacob German; 13 Seb Reece ©; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Oli Bartles-Smith; 10 Ash Smith; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Karl Thompson; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Michael Birkett; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Joe Ford; Niall Coombe; Monty Snarey