Wednesday 25 April 2026

Consett 59 Percy Park 35

Regional 2 North Play-Off Final

(HT: 42-21)

Percy Park’s hopes for promotion and the season itself came to an end on Saturday when they suffered defeat at Consett in the Regional 2 North Play-Off Final at Amethyst Park. Four weeks after suffering a high scoring, albeit narrow, league defeat at the same venue, there was a quiet confidence that we could engineer the win against the odds just three days after the County Plate Final defeat to Novocastrians but, after a bright start, a ten minute period before the first quarter had ended saw the home side score four tries that effectively decided the game. From then on, Park were always chasing the game and with a twenty-one-point deficit at the break, there was a mountain to climb. The Consett back line, much like the Novo’s threequarters last Wednesday, were electric and, particularly in that first half, the Park defence had no answers. Consett will now travel to Pocklington, winners of the Regional 2 North East Play-Off Final 34-20 against Morley, next Saturday to decide who plays York (who lost 20-14 at Middlesborough in the Regional 1 North Relegation Play-Off) for the right to play at Level 5 next season.  

There were a number of changes to the side defeated by Novo’s in the Plate Final. In the backline, Joe Wotton replaced Dan Jackson at fullback and Paul Spowart replaced Oli Bartles-Smith in the centre. The halfback combination saw George Chapman move from scrumhalf to standoff in place of the injured Jacob German with Tom Robinson coming in to the number nine shirt. In the forwards, In the back row, Austin Phillips replaced Seth Henderson, moving from the second row where he was replaced by Josh Hedley. In the front row, Dan Shuttleworth replaced Nick Macklin-Copeland who dropped to the replacements bench alongside Ethan Wilson and Charlie Miller. Sam Digman continued to captain the side in the absence of injured skipper Howard Stock.

On a sunny, hot day and on a bone-dry pitch, Park kicked off and were quickly into their stride, winning an early penalty which was kicked to touch in the home 22. From the line out, second row Chris Reekie crashed through the home midfield but as the ball was recycled it was knocked forward. However, Consett conceded another penalty at the scrum and a quick tap had skipper Sam Digman in under the posts after two minutes, scrum half George Chapman converting, the perfect start (0-7).

The lead lasted just three minutes. From the restart, Park won ball from a lineout in their 22 but the clearance kick was fielded, moved at speed right and ending with a superb break along the right touchline by Consett fullback Reece Plumtree that set up the try for centre Kevin Slow which was converted by wing Lewis Bowman (7-7). Consett scored again almost from the restart, a brilliant solo effort from standoff Ish Perkins who, with the aid of two sidesteps, ran in unopposed from his own 10 metre line, carving through the Park defence without a hand being laid on him. Bowman kicked the conversion (14-7).

Things went from bad to worse when Consett scored their third try after sixteen minutes, when quick hands again from a scrum on half way opened up the Park defence with left wing Bowman scoring in the right corner. He converted his own try (21-7). Just two minutes later, on eighteen minutes, Consett scored again, this time turning over the ball from a Park lineout throw. The ball was scooped up, moved at speed into midfield where quick hands allowed flanker Brad Smith to run in unopposed, the try converted by Bowman (28-7). The game was out of reach before the first quarter had ended. Park were struggling in the lineout and their defence, as in the second half against Novo’s, was almost non-existent.

Park struck next though, flanker Leo Caulfield scoring from a quick tap penalty on twenty-two minutes after the home side were caught offside in their own 22. Chapman converted (28-14). Consett almost replied immediately, another inventive attack from their backs only thwarted by a fantastic turnover from hooker Jonny Dubois in the visiting 22 but the home side were not to be denied for long, a Park indiscretion allowing Consett to kick into the right corner. Although the catch and drive was held, the ball was moved infield for flanker Aaron Harlow-Stephenson to go over on twenty-nine minutes, Bowman converting (35-14).

The visitors hit back three minutes later, scrumhalf Tom Robinson scoring after second row Chris Reekie made ground in the 22 and a great line from Dubois allowed Robinson to go over, Chapman converting (35-21). A high scoring half was brought to a close by another excellent try from the home side, Bowman scoring his second after Perkins made another scintillating break from his own 10 metre line, the ball secured after a Park knock-on, to give the wing the scoring pass, He converted his own try, thirty-eight minutes played (42-21).

HT: Consett 42 Percy Park 21

Consett kicked off the second half and were immediately able to exert pressure after yet another Park line out throw was turned over but the visitors returned the favour shortly afterwards, turning the ball over as Consett were at the whitewash and clearing their lines. With the visiting defence much improved, Consett, despite the lion’s share of possession, were unable to add to their score and their frustration boiled over when fullback Reece Plumtree received a yellow card on fifty-four minutes for punching. Park took advantage, Matt Dunn scoring three minutes later, after a kick and chase from fullback Joe Wotton. The ball was secured and excellent work and hands from Reekie, flanker Austin Phillips and No 8 Matthew French saw the centre score by the posts to give Park hope, Chapman converting (42-28).

With Park playing much better, their defence holding firm and only fourteen points adrift, it was no surprise that, with just under twenty-minutes left to play, Consett elected to kick for goal when Park strayed offside in midfield, Bowman adding the three points on sixty-two minutes (45-28). The game was becoming feisty, an all-out brawl erupting after a Park player was slammed into an advertising hording which held up the game for several minutes, players warned and Park gaining the penalty. However, injuries and the effects of the heat and the game on Wednesday began to take their toll on the visitors who conceded two late tries. The first on seventy-four minutes when centre Kevin Slow found a gap after sustained Consett pressure, Bowman converting (52-28) and after seventy-seven minutes when Slow secured his hat trick, intercepting the ball after Park attempted to play out from their 22 metre line. Bowman converted (59-28).

It was the visitors who completed the scoring, a kick ahead fumbled on the touchline just inside the Consett 22, wing Freddie Hara picking up and scampering over, Chapman converting (59-35).

FT: Consett 59 Percy Park 35

Player/Coach Ash Smith commented post-match: “It’s been a tough week. We spoke after the Cup Final defeat about our defence and our discipline but after a good start we lost our shape and our focus, falling off tackles which allowed Consett to take control early in the game. Conceding forty points plus in the first half left us too much to do and after a hard game Wednesday night we tired late on. That said, our discipline was much better I thought and to be fair, finishing third in the league and reaching the play-offs is something to be proud of. Good luck to Consett, they are a good side and more than capable of promotion”.  

Consett thoroughly deserved their victory, the four try blast in just ten first half minutes effectively deciding the contest; it was always going to be a tough ask to come back from 28-7 down so early in the game. Their backline was exceptional with Ish Perkins at standoff absolutely superb. We thank them for a tough, if occasionally feisty, game and for their wonderful hospitality. Congratulations on the win and we wish them all the very best for their game at Pocklington this coming weekend, I am sure that they will do the North-East proud. We also thank our match referee and his assistants from the Durham Society.

For Park, a disappointing end to the season after the third place league finish. To lose the Plate Final and the league Play-Off Final inside a few days is heartbreaking but should not detract from what has been a fine season from the lads after the sadness of last season’s relegation. It was heartening to see the togetherness in the squad post-match which bodes well for next season.

Elsewhere, our incredible Colts wrapped up a league and cup double on Sunday with a fantastic 10-57 win at Rockcliff (see separate report). On Saturday the Lions suffered a 49-14 defeat at Novocastrians while on Sunday the Panthers suffered a heavy 46-0 defeat at Berwick to finish fourth in NC3 North (North).

The Percy Park 7s take place at Preston Avenue on Saturday, 16 May, always a great way to celebrate the end of the season!

Percy Park: 15 Joe Wotton; 14 Freddie Harra; 13 Matt Dunn; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Tom Bird; 10 George Chapman; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Austin Phillips; 5 Josh Hedley; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Sam Digman ©; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Dan Shuttleworth

Replacements: Nick Macklin-Copeland; Ethan Wilson; Charlie Miller;        

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Wednesday 22 April 2026

Percy Park 24 Novocastrians 42

Northumberland County Plate Final

(HT: 24-15)

 

The mood in the clubhouse pre match was bullish; silverware to be won, a strong side selected, a place in the Regional 2 North Play-Off Final secured, confidence high but Novo’s didn’t bother to read the script. Trailing 24-10 after thirty-five minutes, the Newcastle side then proceeded to score six unanswered tries, five in a dazzling second half display, to outclass the home side and claim a thoroughly deserved victory in the County Plate Final under the Preston Avenue lights.

In a league campaign that has ebbed and flowed but still claimed third in the league standings, this scribe has rarely seen Park so thoroughly outplayed, at times in the second half looking completely lost, unable to stem wave after wave of inventive Novo’s play, their discipline at times evaporating completely. If we needed a wake-up call before Saturday’s Play-Off trip to Consett, this was indeed it.

Park selected a strong side for the game against the DN1 Champions who have only lost one league game all season, a tough match expected and notwithstanding the Play-Off game this coming weekend.

Novocastrians got the game underway and it was the visitors who struck first after eight minutes. Two quick Park infringements (the first two of far too many throughout the match) had the City side with an attacking 5 metre lineout, the catch and drive executed perfectly for the score, the try converted (0-7). The response from the home side was immediate, centre Oli Bartles-Smith capitalising on turnover ball in the Novo’s 22 to go over to the right of the posts on eleven minutes, the conversion attempt from scrum-half George Chapman hitting the post (5-7).

After the early exchanges had seen Novo’s enjoying the lions share of territory and possession, Park began to get into the game and they went ahead on eighteen minutes, prop and skipper Sam Digman scoring after excellent work from No 8 Matthew French and hooker Jonny Dubois. Chapman was successful with the conversion (12-7). Overeagerness in the tackle, midway in the Park half gifted the visitors a penalty which was kicked reducing the deficit as the first quarter ended (12-10). The favour was quickly returned, Novo’s penalised on their own 10 metre line, the kick from Chapman straight into the right corner. From the catch and drive, Matthew French scored, the conversion missed from wide out (17-10).

Park continued to press, relentless pressure in the Novo’s 22 which was rewarded when the visitors were caught offside in their own 22, the penalty kicked to the left corner. Although the catch and drive was stopped, the ball was moved right, the ball popped up to Digman running a great line, to crash over to the right of the posts, Chapman converting (24-10), thirty-five minutes played. And that, sadly, was that from the home side. What looked like a very comfortable fourteen-point lead just before the break had evaporated just eight minutes into the second half. Novo’s scored with the last play of the first period, scoring in the right corner after sustained pressure in the park 22. The conversion was missed (24-15).

HT: Percy Park 24 Novocastrians 15

The visitors showed their attacking intent within seconds of the second half starting, a searing break from the backs splitting the home defence with only a stumble preventing a scoring pass but Novo’s retained possession and with the home defence at sixes and sevens they were able to work an excellent score in the left corner on forty-four minutes, the conversion missed (24-20). Just four minutes later, the Sutherland Avenue side went ahead for a lead that they would never relinquish. From a scrum on the Park 10 metre line, excellent hands and a shredded defence had the visitors in under the posts, the try converted (24-27).

Park tried to rouse themselves but when they turned over the ball just outside the Novo’s 22, the clearance kick from deep was allowed to bounce and the fast visiting backs were able to scoop up the loose ball and score in the right corner, the home defence absent. The conversion was missed, fifty-five minutes played (24-32). As the third quarter ended, the home sides discipline vanished with referee Graham Crozier marching the side back after several decisions were questioned. On sixty minutes, yet another needless penalty allowed Novo’s to kick to the left corner where another successful catch and drive had the City side scoring again, the conversion missed from the touchline (24-37).

The visitors missed a straightforward penalty goal attempt soon afterward but it mattered not, they scored again in the right corner after sixty-eight minutes. A poor Park clearance kick from inside their 22 missed touch had the Novo’s right-wing speeding along the touchline and a kick ahead had him scoring in the right corner, the cover defence non-existent, the conversion missed (24-42). There was no further scoring.

FT: Percy Park 24 Novocastrians 42

At the final whistle the home side looked shell shocked, as well they might, as the victors celebrated. Flanker Leo Caulfield commented post-match: “I can’t really explain what happened. We seemed to be playing well, had the game under control, but the second half we just seemed to fall apart. They are a great side and we struggled at times to deal with the speed of their backs. Too many penalties given away and games are not won with poor discipline”.

Park must have been penalised over twenty times during the course of the game and their indiscipline hampered any real chance of momentum, particularly in the second half. Defensively, Park were not at the races, seemingly unable to deal with the speed of their opponents who, at times, appeared to be scoring at will. But credit where credit is due, Novo’s were superb and worthy victors over their Regional 2 North opponents. If we are not successful in our play-off aspirations, we will have the pleasure of playing our opponent’s next season. Our thanks to them for a very well contested game and our thanks also to our match referee Graham Crozier, always a welcome guest at Preston Avenue.

The play-off game at Consett in just two days’ time will be a real test of character after this sobering defeat, KO at Am Park is 3pm. All support would be very welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Dan Jackson; 14 Freddie Harra; 13 Oli Bartles-Smith; 12 Matt Dunn; 11 Tom Bird; 10 Jacob German; 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Leo Caulfield; 5 Austin Phillips; 4 Chris Reekie; 3 Sam Digman ©; 2 Jonny Dubois; 1 Nick Macklin-Copeland

Replacements: Dan Shuttleworth; Joe Ford; Josh Hedley; Ethan Wilson; Charlie Miller; Paul Spowart       

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Saturday 11 April 2026

Percy Park 59 West Hartlepool 41

Regional 2 North

(HT: 28-10)

Fourth placed Park took on fifth placed West Hartlepool last weekend, a place in the league play-offs guaranteed for the winner and, in an excellent, high scoring game it was Park who came out victorious after a hard fought and entertaining contest. However, on the Monday after a wonderful day at Preston Avenue, an exciting game preceded by a very well attended past players lunch, there was a sense of anti-climax when Keswick, who finished in fourth place after defeat at Upper Eden, and who we would have faced at home in the Regional 2 North semi-final play-off announced that they were conceding the tie. We will now play the winner of the Consett vs Sunderland semi-final which will be played this coming weekend, 18 April.

There were only three changes to the starting XV who lost at Consett two weeks ago, Jacob German replacing the unavailable George Chapman at standoff while in the forwards, Nick Macklin-Copeland replaced Tristan Grant at prop and former club captain Jonny Dubois, minus his hair, replaced Paul Spowart on the flank. Spowart joined Austin Phillips and Dan Jackson on the replacements bench.

On a dry though breezy day, West kicked off with the home side going ahead in the first minute, fullback Joe Wotton with a searing break from his own 10 metre line scything through the visiting defence without a hand being laid on him to score under the posts, standoff Jacob German converting (7-0). Park doubled their lead just four minutes later when German, with a neat sidestep that completely wrong footed the West defence, sprinted in from his own half to touch down under the posts, converting his own try (14-0).

West were struggling to get into the game but managed a foothold when Park infringed just outside of their 22 and standoff Matt Siddle converted the kick after fifteen minutes (14-3). As the first quarter ended, Park scored their third try. After skipper Howard Stock was stopped just short, Park gained a scrum after West were unable to clear their lines and after several carries it was second row Chris Reekie who crashed over to the left of the posts, German converting (21-3). The home side’s bonus point try came on twenty-four minutes when German scored again. An attack from deep, initiated by Wotton, saw the standoff through a defensive gap and in under the posts for another excellent try, showing his strength by shrugging off a couple of despairing tackles. He converted the score (28-3).

After three successive defeats, this was more like it but the all too familiar discipline issues hampered further progress and gave West momentum and they began to exert real pressure, forcing the home side to concede penalties. A tap from one, just on the home 22 for offside, had West charging for the line, prop Andrew Rollins eventually crashing over under the posts, Siddle converting, to give the visitors a lifeline after thirty-eight minutes (28-10). It was a curious half, West having probably more territory and possession, but Park having the firepower and individual skill to attack from deep.

HT: Percy Park 28 West Hartlepool 10

Park kicked off the second half and extended their lead almost immediately from the restart, moving the ball at speed right from a lineout for captain Howard Stock to squeeze in at the corner on forty-two minutes, the difficult conversion missed (33-10). The home side’s discipline was not improving with referee Harry Graham finally losing patience with both second row Josh Hedley (after repeated Park infringements for offside) and prop Nick Macklin-Copeland (high tackle) receiving yellow cards within a few minutes of each other. Reduced to thirteen men, West were unable to take full advantage when second row Charlie Kay received a similar sanction after some off the ball petulance. However, West made the one man advantage count when second row Elliot Reed, running a great line, went over on fifty-five minutes, Siddle converting (33-17).

The home side responded five minutes later when Wotton again showed his class, leaving four defenders in his wake to score in the corner after joining the line from a scrum just outside the visiting 22. German was off target with the difficult conversion (38-17). Back came West, speedy wing Max Tennant scoring on the left after some excellent work initially from prop Adam Hutchinson although there was a suspicion of a knock-on in the build up much to the annoyance of the Park faithful. Siddle missed the difficult conversion (38-22).

Park effectively sealed the game with two tries in a five-minute spell just before the seventy-minute mark. Wotton secured his hat-trick, scoring in the left corner after the ball was turned over in the West 22, quick hands giving the fullback the space to score, replacement Paul Spowart kicking a superb conversion from the touchline (45-22) and then centre Oli-Bartles-Smith scoring under the posts after a misplaced pass in the West midfield, Spowart converting (52-22).

The last ten minutes of the contest saw a flurry of four tries, three for the visitors. The first came just two minutes after the last Park score, West with a tap and go in the home 22 after Park strayed offside, Siddle eventually going over after it appeared Park stopped playing in confusion after a second penalty award, the conversion missed (52-27). West scored again three minutes later, referee Graham awarding them a penalty try after foul play prevented what would have been a scoring pass from Siddle almost on the Park line, Bartles-Smith receiving a yellow card as a consequence (52-34). West scored yet again to set up a very nervy last two minutes, wing Jacob Wood scoring after good work from Siddle who kicked the conversion (52-41).

Any chance of a West comeback was snuffed out as the clock went into the red, the evergreen Jonny Dubois finishing off a text book catch and drive in the left corner, Spowart again kicking an excellent conversion from the touchline (59-41).

FT: Percy Park 59 West Hartlepool 41

With Upper Eden defeating Keswick 30-14, Park were able to leap frog them to claim home advantage in the semi-final which, sadly, will not now take place. Unfortunately, as a result of the defeat, West dropped to seventh in the league standings and out of the play-off places, Sunderland claiming the last play-off place after a narrow late victory over Morpeth 31-28. They visit Consett this weekend.

Post match, captain Howard Stock commented: “An excellent result, especially after recent results but if we are to progress through the play-offs our defence and discipline have to improve. We showed that we are an attacking team, capable of scoring tries, but we will not progress if we concede penalties and receive yellow cards. Our discipline has to improve”.

Our commiserations to West who, despite missing the play-offs, have had a great season and we thank them for a great game which, despite the number of yellow cards, was played in a good spirit. Thanks also to referee Harry Graham, our exchange official from the Yorkshire Society, we hope to see you back at Preston Avenue soon.

We now await the result of the Consett/Sunderland semi-final to find out our next opponents.   

Former Club Captains on parade before the clash with West. Our grateful thanks to Secretary Mick Ishida, Rachel Reekie, Richard and his kitchen and bar staff for a fantastic pre match meal.

Percy Park: 15 Joe Wotton; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Matt Dunn; 12 Oli Bartles-Smith; 11 Tom Bird; 10 Jacob German; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Jonny Dubois; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Nick Macklin-Copeland

Replacements: Austin Phillips; Paul Spowart; Dan Jackson

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Saturday 28 March 2026

Consett 53 Percy Park 48

Regional 2 North

(HT: 13-22)

In a high scoring game, played in gusting wind, Consett inflicted a third successive defeat on visitors Percy Park putting at risk a potential play-off place. Leading by nine points at the break a devastating fifteen minute spell midway through the second half effectively killed off the game, Consett building a 53-27 lead, before a late Park rally produced three late tries to earn Park two bonus points which could prove vital in the race for a play-off place.

On a very windy but dry day, Consett kicked off, Park playing with the wind with the home side exerting early pressure until a scrum infringement allowed Park to relieve the pressure. Park opened the scoring on eleven minutes, second row Chris Reekie scoring from a catch and drive in the right corner, the conversion missed (0-5). The lead was extended five minutes later, standoff George Chapman kicking a penalty after an off the ball tackle just inside the home 22 (0-8). Consett hit back as the first quarter ended, hooker Elijah Brooks-Bowen scoring to the left of the posts after a succession of Park infringements. They were level on twenty-four minutes, Park under pressure and giving away a penalty for a high tackle in front of the posts (8-8).

The visitors regained the lead just two minutes later when, almost from the restart, centre Oli Bartles-Smith danced through the home defence from his own 10 metre line to score under the posts, Chapman converting (8-15). On thirty-one minutes, Consett scored their second try after good work from standoff James Herdman allowing centre Reece Plumtree to score to the left of the posts, the conversion missed (13-15). Two minutes before the break, Bartles-Smith scored a second, taking the ball from a Consett kick, side stepping the defence and scoring under the posts, Chapman converting (13-22).

HT: Consett 13 Percy Park 22

Park kicked off the second half and immediately put themselves under pressure when the ball did not go 10 metres in the gusting wind. Consett scored twice in the opening six minutes of the half to wipe out the nine point advantage. The first after forty-three minutes when, after repeated Park infringements close to the visiting line, Plumtree scored to the left of the posts, converted by fullback Lewis Bowman (20-22). Three minutes later, straight from the restart, a searing break in midfield was stopped on the Park line by last ditch defence but flanker Aaron Stephenson was able to pick-up and crash over, the try converted by Bowman (27-22). Park were able to respond, No 8 Matthew French spinning out of a tackle just to the left of the posts after great work from wing Dan Jackson , the conversion missed (27-27).

Park were unable to capitalise, Consett scoring four unanswered tries in a fifteen minute spell, the first after fifty-one minutes straight from the restart, wing Riley Bell scoring after a kick into the 22 was not dealt with properly, the conversion missed (32-27). Four minutes later, Plumtree again scored under the posts after the visiting midfield proved brittle, Bowman converting (39-27). In the sixty-second minute, Consett scored again under the posts, No 8 Jack Beckwith scoring with Bowman converting (46-27). After sixty-six minutes, another midfield break had scrumhalf Joe Kirkland scoring, Bowman converting, effectively ending the contest (53-27).

Able to raise their game, Park were able to score three late tries to earn two bonus points, two from Chris Reekie in the seventy-second minute, converted by Chapman, and the seventy-fifth minute converted by fullback Dan Jackson (53-41). After a Consett yellow card, Park were able to score again, another forward try and conversion on seventy-eight minutes (53-48). As the clock ticked down, Park went looking for the score to seal an amazing comeback win but Consett held on for the win

FT: Consett 53 Percy Park 48

As a consequence, Park slipped to fourth in the league table, Consett remaining in second. The race for the play-off places will go down to the final round of fixtures this coming weekend, Park at home to West Hartlepool, KO 3pm. As confirmed second place finishers, Consett will have a home tie against the team finishing fifth, third place playing fourth. There is all to play for on 11 April.

Oops! Who did the pitch markings at Consett???

Percy Park: 15 Joe Wotton; 14 Tom Bird; 13 Howard Stock ©; 12 Oli Bartles-Smith; 11 Dan Jackson; 10 George Chapman; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Matthew French; 7 Leo Caulfield; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Nick Macklin-Copeland; Sean Nairn; Freddie Harra

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