Saturday 25 October 2025

Percy Park 36 Upper Eden 22

Regional 2 North

(HT: 24-17)

Upper Eden were the visitors to Preston Avenue on Saturday and in a very entertaining game, Percy Park returned to winning ways after recent defeats, securing a 36-22 bonus point victory over a very good rugby playing side, overcoming an early ten-point deficit to score five tries. It was all the more commendable given the current injury list with the likes of Josh Hedley, Michael Birkett, Ash Smith, Oli Bartles-Smith, Jordan Carey, Matthew French and Jonny Dubois, to name just a few, missing. Indeed, as our Honorary Secretary remarked before the game, almost an entire first XV is on the sidelines.

With the mounting injury list, changes to the team that were defeated at Sunderland last time out were inevitable. In the forwards, the versatile Karl Thompson replaced Sean Nairn in the second row to partner Chris Reekie with Seth Henderson replacing Karl in the back row. At half back, George Chapman moved from scrumhalf to standoff with Tom Robinson moving from the left wing to scrumhalf. In the backline, Dan Woodcock replaced Jordan Carey at fullback with Fergus Simpson moving from standoff to inside centre to partner Seb Reece. Tom Bird switched from right wing to left with captain Howard Stock on the right, his first start of the season after injury. Sean Nairn, Paul Spowart and Joe Ford made up the replacements bench.

On a dry, sunny but very breezy day with the forecast rain thankfully never materialising, Upper Eden kicked off with the wind at their backs. An early 50/22 kick into the Park 22 showed the visitors intent but it was Park who struck the first blow. A superb break by centre Fergus Simpson deep into Upper Eden territory saw great hands put the ball into the hands of prop Sam Digman and his great offload in the tackle had fellow front row Tristan Grant crash over to the left of the posts on seven minutes. George Chapman converted (7-0).

Upper Eden responded immediately using turnover ball to devastating effect. When Park surrendered possession in midfield, Upper Eden attacked right, with quick hands putting wing Nathanial Twiss in to the right of the posts on ten minutes. The conversion was missed in the swirling wind (7-5). The score seemed to galvanise the visitors who, with their rangy forwards, carried hard into the Park 22. The home side appeared to have weathered the storm, securing possession after great defensive work but inexplicably turned the ball over, allowing Upper Eden fullback Oliver Bennett to hack on and score after a quarter of an hour, Bennett converting his own score (7-12).

Both sides were looking to play rugby with the game being played at a frantic pace and after some end to end play it was Upper Eden who scored their third try on twenty-four minutes. From a visiting lineout on halfway, an excellent break in midfield broke through the Park defence with scrumhalf Aiden Muller on hand to take the pass and score to the left of the posts without a hand laid on him. Bennett missed the conversion (7-17).  

It appeared that Park had their backs to the wall but they showed real tenacity in the second quarter to wipe out the deficit and lead at halftime. On the half hour, a superb break from centre Seb Reece was carried on by fellow centre Fergus Simpson who gave the scoring pass to wing Tom Bird to score wide out on the left for an excellent try. Scrumhalf George Chapman kicked an excellent conversion into the wind (14-17). As Park gained territory and possession, an Upper Eden scrum yielded a home penalty as the visitors were pushed backwards and Chapman kicked the goal to tie the score on thirty-six minutes (17-17).

With half time approaching, Upper Eden were caught offside in their own 22 and the ball was kicked to the left corner. Although the catch and drive was halted, the ball was recycled for flanker Karl Thonpson to go over wide out on the left on 39 minutes. Chapman kicked another excellent conversion into the wind just before the halftime whistle (24-17).

HT: Percy Park 24 Upper Eden 17

Park kicked off the second half and were immediately on the attack, Upper Eden having to scramble to touch the ball down in goal. Mistakes hampered the home effort but their attacking intent was rewarded after fifty-two minutes when they scored the bonus point try. A break by scrumhalf Tom Robinson from a ruck resulted in an Upper Eden infringement midway in their own half, Chapman kicking the ball to the left corner. A textbook catch and drive had prop Sam Digman scoring. The difficult conversion was missed (29-17).

Upper Eden were beginning to struggle in the scrum and they were very much on the defensive as the third quarter ended. A great passage of play, backs and forwards involved, saw the ball in the hands of Park fullback Dan Woodcock in the visitors 22. He had work to do but one clever side step and he was in to the right of the posts on 59 minutes, Chapman converting (36-17).

The last twenty minutes of the game saw Park, until the final seconds, in the visiting 22 but they were unable to add to their score. An excellent 50/22 kick from Fergus Simpson and a quick throw from fellow centre Seb Reece almost resulted in Sam Digman scoring and repeated Upper Eden indiscipline at the maul after Park had kicked a penalty to the left corner saw visiting replacement Matthew Sanderson shown a yellow card by referee Alun Ross. Park could not take advantage as desparate defending kept the home side at bay until in their  eagerness, Park strayed offside and the visitors were able to kick to their 10 metre line and relieve the pressure. As the half entered the red zone, Park were caught offside again on their own 10 metre line and Upper Eden were able to keep possession to work flanker Finlay Rose over for their own bonus point try (36-22).

FT: Percy Park 36 Upper Eden 22

An enjoyable game with both sides wanting to play an expansive game, particularly in the first half. In truth, Park dominated the second and had the chances to increase their score but credit to Upper Eden, they defended doggedly and had the wherewithal to score late on to earn the try bonus point. For Park, Tristan Grant was at his destructive best, always breaking the first tackle and at standoff, George Chapman controlled the game and kicked superbly. Upper Eden showed that they are a rugby playing team and, when possession dried up in the second half, very good defensively. They deserved their try bonus point.

After recent defeats it was a much better Park performance that propels them up to third in the Regional 2 North table behind Northern, who won comfortably at home to Sunderland, and Keswick who won at Durham City. Upper Eden slip to eighth and we thank them for an excellent game played in the right spirit and wish them well for the remainder of the season. We also thank our referee Alun Ross.

The Lions fixture against Upper Eden Boars was abandoned after home player Jeremy Newman picked up a serious looking neck injury but the injury appears to be less serious than first thought and we wish Jeremy a speedy recovery.

Next week, the 1^st XV have a break from league action, hosting Northern in the Northumberland Senior Cup, KO is 3pm The Lions and the Panthers are not scheduled to play but on Sunday, the Colts are away at Hartlepool Rovers, KO is 1pm. All support for our teams would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Dan Woodcock; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Tom Bird; 10 George Chapman; 9 Tom Robinson; 8 Keith Laughlin; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Fraser McGlashan; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Karl Thompson; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Joe Ford; Paul Spowart; Sean Nairn

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Saturday 18 October 2025

Sunderland 44 Percy Park 38

Regional 2 North

(HT: 19-14)

After a chastening defeat last weekend at home to Northern, Percy Park were looking to bounce back quickly against newly promoted Sunderland at Ashbrooke but found the going just as tough, particularly in the second half, as the Wearsider’s deservedly won a topsy-turvy game 44-38. The only upside to a very disappointing display was the doggedness in the closing minutes of the match to score ten points without reply to ensure a second bonus point. Our defence at times was porous and, seemingly, every time we scored we allowed the hosts to come straight back at us to score themselves and the second half was all about playing catch-up rugby. The game was effectively over just past the hour mark and it is the second week in succession that Park have conceded forty points plus. Discipline was again a problem with, at one point, the team being marched back 20 metres after continued backchat to the referee after the award of a penalty to the home side. Another tough day at the office indeed.

After the numerous injuries suffered last week, there were always going to be changes to the side for this game. In the backline Jordan Carey returned at fullback in place of the injured Andrew Walker, Seb Reece came into the centre from left wing to partner Ash Smith with Tom Robinson coming in to replace Reece. In the forwards, Tristan Grant replaced the injured Michael Birkett in the front row, and in the backrow in came Keith Laughlin at No 8 to replace the injured Matthew French with Fraser McGlashan a late replacement for the selected Paul Spowart on the flank. Paul failed a late fitness test. On the bench, Joe Ford, and Jacob German were joined by the returning Club Captain Howard Stock after long term injury. Prop Sam Digman again captained the side on the day.

Michael Birkett suffered serious facial injuries in last week’s match against Northern and we wish Michael all the best and a very speedy recovery.

On an overcast but dry day with very little breeze, the home side kicked off with both sides looking to play an expansive game after the early exchanges. Sunderland went ahead after just four minutes when a missed tackle midway in the Park half allowed home flanker Farai Chikumbiriki to charge in to their 22 and a great offload allowed standoff Ben Hutchinson to score to the right of the posts. Second row Luke Bryon-Victory converted (7-0).

The lineout deficiencies exposed by Northern last week were again evident, with Park struggling on their own throw but it was a much better effort that led to their first try. An excellent box kick from scrumhalf George Chapman into the left corner had the home defence scrambling with the clearance kick giving the visitors a lineout just outside the 22. The ball was won and moved infield with No 8 Keith Laughlin charging forward. As the ball was recycled, centre Seb Reece running a superb line scythed through the home defence to score under the posts on nine minutes, Chapman converting (7-7).

A poor Sunderland restart gave Park a scrum on half way. As Park moved the ball, excellent carries from second row Chris Reekie and Laughlin earned Park a penalty midway in Sunderland territory that was despatched to the right corner but the lineout was butchered, Sunderland awarded a scrum, the chance lost.

On fifteen minutes, a tackle on a player without the ball gave the home side a penalty which was kicked to the Park 22 metre line. As the ball came infield, a huge tackle by Reekie earned the turnover, much to the delight of player/coach Ash Smith who warmly applauded his team mate. Just as it looked as if Park were beginning to dominate possession and territory as the first quarter ended a storming break by home centre Adam Stormont brought play into Park territory and shortly after Sunderland earned a penalty (offside) in midfield which was kicked to the left corner. Although the lineout was fumbled, Sunderland got their maul going and hooker Pete Harrison got the touchdown wide out on twenty-three minutes. Bryon-Victory hit the upright with the difficult conversion (12-7).

Park almost scored immediately after the restart when excellent work by the forwards to secure the ball gave Chapman the chance of another excellent box kick that had the home defence caught out with centre Seb Reece held up over the line. Park took the lead for the only time in the match on thirty-three minutes, Reece scoring his second try. Three successive attacking Park lineouts in the left corner had visiting mauls held by a determined home defence but on the third, the ball was moved swiftly infield for wing Tom Bird to give the scoring pass. Chapman converted (12-14).

From the Sunderland restart, superb hands from the backs had Park on half way with prop Tristan Grant then carrying strongly for centre Ash Smith to kick into the left corner. Park knocked on contesting the lineout and from the scrum, the home side were able to clear. With a narrow lead and half time approaching, a needless penalty in midfield had the home side kick to the Park 22. A good lineout had the ball left infield and from a breakdown, quick hands and change of direction had Park stretched with wing Simon Coleman able to score an excellent try in the right corner on thirty-eight minutes, Bryon-Victory kicking an excellent conversion (19-14).

HT: Sunderland 19 Percy Park 14

Sunderland stretched their lead within two minutes of the restart, Park were penalised on half way with the home side kicking to the left corner. A classic catch and drive had flanker Paul Gregson scoring their bonus point try, Bryon-Victory kicking another excellent conversion (26-14).

The score stung the visitors into attack, with firstly good play to get the ball deep onto Sunderland territory undone by a knock on and shortly thereafter, Chris Reekie looked to have scored only for play to be brought back by the referee for another knock on in the build-up. Park did get their reward on forty-nine minutes when Sunderland were penalised for a high tackle and a quick tap and go had centre Ash Smith crash over wide on the right. Scrumhalf George Chapman kicked an excellent conversion (26-21). The good work was immediately undone when, after Sunderland were awarded a penalty for a high tackle. Park were marched back not once but twice for stupid backchat to referee Andy Flisher which put the home side into kicking range. Bryon-Victory duly despatched the kick on fifty-two minutes (29-21).

Four minutes later, Sunderland scored another excellent try. A wonderful break by fullback Marc Edmundson breached the visiting defence, flanker Chikumbirike taking it on and giving the perfect offload to centre Ethan Sutcliffe to score a superb try. Bryon-Victory kicked the conversion (36-21).

Park gained an opportunity to narrow the gap which they duly took after prop Tristan Grant was high tackled on the Sunderland 10 metre line. A kick into the Sunderland 22 gave the forwards the chance to work flanker Fraser McGlashan over the line to the left of the posts on fifty-nine minutes, Chapman converting, try bonus point secured (36-28).

Almost immediately, Park gave up another Sunderland try. A wayward pass in midfield led to yet another needless penalty when the visitors were penalised for a side entry into a ruck. Sunderland kicked to the left corner and the Park defence seemed to part like the Red Sea to allow flanker Paul Gregson to score on sixty-three minutes. The conversion was missed (41-28). From the restart Park again nearly gifted the home side another score after more stupid backchat had Park marched backwards 10 metres after another ruck offence, and a flowing move from the resulting lineout almost had wing Coleman in at the corner. Sunderland did score from a penalty kick on sixty-nine minutes after Park were penalised for a high tackle, Bryon-Victory converting (44-28).

With time running out and Park playing catch-up rugby, mistakes abounded. Two penalties to the right touchline within the home 22 were squandered, one lineout lost, the other a penalty conceded and, with another penalty in the home 22, a tap and go was knocked on. However, with just three minutes remaining, scrumhalf George Chapman scored an opportunist try after good work from the Park forwards in the home 22 which he quickly converted and, as time was almost called, Sunderland were penalised for an infringement in their own midfield which Chapman converted to secure a second bonus point for the visitors (44-38).

With seconds remaining, Park secured the restart and went in search of a winning score, recycling the ball after several carries but when the ball went left replacement Jacob German could not quite break free and the game ended when he was put into touch.

FT: Sunderland 44 Percy Park 38

Twelve months ago, these two sides were two leagues apart and, after an unbeaten promotion winning campaign last season, Sunderland deserve so much credit for how far they have come. They played some excellent rugby with their young halfbacks Ben Hutchinson and Alex Lamb controlling the game, a competitive pack with flanker Farai Chikumbirike outstanding, and a stubborn defence. They were deserved winners on the day but how Park contributed to their own downfall. Discipline is becoming a serious issue and the lineout is too often a disaster area. Park like to play an expansive game but when this doesn’t appear to be working, is there a Plan B? Post match, club captain Howard Stock was not in the mood to be diplomatic: “Pathetic. Constant back chat to the referee gets us nowhere and it keeps happening. If we stopped the chat and concentrated on the rugby we might get somewhere. The same thing cost us the game at West Hartlepool. When are we going to learn?”.

For Park, Seb Reece and George Chapman were stand out performers with captain Sam Digman and second row Chris Reekie always in the thick of things.

Sunderland move into third spot in the table behind Northern and Keswick who both won at the weekend and we wish them well for the rest of the season and thank them for their hospitality. We also thank referee Andy Flisher. Park slip to fifth after two successive defeats.

Elsewhere, the Lions defeated Medicals 67-25 at home on Saturday and on Sunday, the Colts thrashed Sunderland/Westoe 54-0 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and the Panthers defeated Consett 17-5 in their league encounter, both at Preston Avenue. Next week, Park host Upper Eden in Regional 2 North, KO is at 3pm.

Apologies for the lack of photographs.

Percy Park: 15 Jordan Carey; 14 Thomas Bird; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Tom Robinson; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 George Chapman; 8 Keith Laughlin; 7 Karl Thompson; 6 Fraser McGlashan; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Sam Digman ©; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Joe Ford; Jacob Germam; Howard Stock

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Saturday 11 October 2025

Percy Park 15 Northern 43

Regional 2 North

(HT: 10-22)

Percy Park hosted Northern in what, on paper, appeared to be a mouth-watering clash between first and second in the Regional 2 North table. If a tight game was expected it proved to be anything but, with Northern dominating, particularly in the first half, and scoring six tries to power to a comprehensive 15-43 victory. Northern were ahead by two tries within twelve minutes of the start and from that moment on, Park were on the backfoot although the period just before half time proved pivotal; Park camped on the Northern line looking for the score to tie the match only to knock on and immediately concede a try on the half time whistle.

There were the inevitable changes to the Park side that won at Wigton last weekend. In the forwards, Matthew French and Karl Thompson returned to the back row in place of Seth Henderson and Fraser McGlashan. In the backline, Andrew Walker replaced Jordan Carey at fullback with Ash Smith coming in to the centre to replace Oli Bartles-Smith. Tom Bird replaced the injured Ross Young on the wing. Carey dropped to the replacements bench alongside Tristan Grant and Tom Robinson.

On a bright sunny day without a breath of wind, a perfect day for rugby, Northern kicked off and from the start it was obvious that both sides wanted to play an expansive game in what was a fast and frenetic opening few minutes. Park controlled territory in those early exchanges without causing too many defensive headaches for the visitors but it was Northern who struck the first blow with really their first visit into home territory. A clever switch of play midway in the Northern half had centre Nyle Godsmark break, hand off two would be Park defenders to pass left to wing Ali Gray who powered along the left touchline to pass inside to scrumhalf Harvey Guthrie for a stunning score on six minutes. Standoff Will Jobling missed the difficult conversion (0-5).

From the restart, Park again enjoyed possession in and around the Northern 10 metre line but there was no real penetration and, reduced to a kicking game, Park kicked into the Northern 22. The mark was called by the Northern fullback who restarted quickly, moving the ball right. Wing Tom Chandler escaped at speed along the right touchline catching the home defence at sixes and sevens and two inside passes later centre Jake Parry went over five metres infield on twelve minutes for another excellent counter attacking try. Jobling again missed the difficult conversion (0-10). Northern had visited the home 22 twice and scored each time.

Northern began to gain more possession and territory but as the first quarter came to an end Park managed to get onto the scoreboard. A breakout kick and chase from fullback Andrew Walker had the Northern defence scrambling and infringing at a ruck to give Park a penalty inside the Northern 22 which was converted by scrumhalf George Chapman on eighteen minutes (3-10).  

It took until the twenty-second minute for the first scrum of the match to be called but the home side were struggling to breach a resolute Northern defence. An excellent 50/22 kick to the right corner from standoff Fergus Simpson was squandered when the lineout was overthrown to hand possession back to the visitors. Another poor Park lineout led to a third Northern try on twenty-seven minutes, Godsmark again the catalyst. He again handed off two defenders and an inside pass to the supporting Guthrie had the scrumhalf canter in unopposed under the posts, Jobling converting (3-17).

In an effort to get back into the match Park continued to try to get the ball wide but indiscipline halted any meaningful progress. A good break from Guthrie took the visitors into home territory but as the ball was moved left along the Park 10 metre line a loose pass was intercepted by standoff Fergus Simpson who sprinted in under the posts for Chapman to convert on thirty-four minutes (10-17).

As the game moved towards half time, with Park gaining a definite advantage in the scrum, a clever kick to the right corner from centre Ash Smith had Northern scrambling to put the ball into touch and from the lineout a series of strong carries had Park on the visitors try line but a knock on closed the door and Northern were able to relieve the pressure. A one score deficit with seconds to go before the break, Park had a lineout on the Northern 10 metre line but disaster struck with the referee about to signal half time. The throw to the back of the lineout was picked off by Guthrie who raced towards the left corner, leaving replacement Park fullback Jordan Carey clutching thin air to score his third and Northern’s bonus point try in the left corner. Jobling missed the conversion (10-22).

HT: Percy Park 10 Northern 22

A sobering half for the home side, with three players, Paul Spowart, Andrew Walker and Michael Birkett, forced off the field with injury and a fourth, scrumhalf George Chapman limping with a thigh injury. Northern took full advantage, scoring again just five minutes into the second half. A Northern lineout on their left, midway inside the Park half had the visitors probing in and around the home 22. Resolute defence seemed to have the threat contained only for visiting fullback Jonny Dowell wriggle free to cross to the left of the posts. Jobling converted (10-29).

From the restart, Godsmark again made a telling break into Park territory only to knock on in the tackle. Park showed their forward strength in walking the Northern eight backwards to earn a scrum penalty. The forward battle was producing some niggle and referee Alun Ross was forced to speak to both captains in order to calm things down. The next phase of the match was littered with penalties, both sides unable to gain momentum through needless indiscipline. As the game entered the fourth quarter, Park were able to kick to the left corner from a Northern infringement and a series of drives had the home side on the Northern line, aided by several penalty advantages. With play stopped after the last one, Park elected to scrum and as northern were pushed back over their own line, Park lost control and Northern were able to touch the ball down. Shortly after, Godsmark was caught offside and Park again kicked to the left corner. Hooker Dan Shuttleworth was able to score from the catch and drive on sixty-seven minutes to give Park a lifeline although centre Ash Smith missed the conversion (15-29).

As the game entered the final ten minutes, Park needed two converted scores to tie the match but it was Northern who scored them. As Park again went wide in search of a score the ball was eventually knocked on the Northern 22. After several reset scrums, Northern No 8 Rob Lenderyou broke from the base, putting fullback Dowell into space. He was able to get up to the Park 22 and support got them up to the Park line with prop Matt Siddle crashing over to the right of the posts on seventy-five minutes, Jobling converting (15-36).

Three minutes later Northern completed the scoring for a comprehensive win. Park won a scrum on halfway on their right touchline only to lose control of the ball and scrumhalf Guthrie running up to the Park 22 before the ball was in touch. Worse was to follow when, from the resulting Park throw to the rear of the lineout, the ball was too long and straight into the hands of Northern wing Ali Gray who ran in unopposed for a simple try, Jobling kicking an excellent conversion (15-43).

FT: Percy Park 15 Northern 43

Post match, Northern were cock-a-hoop with the win as you would expect with Park players a little shaken to say the least with the scale of the defeat. Flanker Karl Thompson summed things up: “We were so up for this game, all of us really looking forward to it but we just didn’t turn up. The sad thing is, we were never really in it. Those first two quick tries killed us and they are too good a side to play catch up rugby against. I thought we competed really well up front but how many tries did they score from our mistakes? Our lineout just didn’t get going at all. Fair play to Northern, they deserved it. Back to the drawing board for us”.

The view from Northern was summed up by centre Nyle Godsmark: “The injuries that you suffered in that first half definitely had an effect and it wasn’t just the players who went off. The scrumhalf was carrying an injury almost throughout the game and your captain took a heavy knock in that second half. We played well, were able to take our chances clinically, especially off of your mistakes, and I thought our defence was outstanding. A great win against arguably one of the better sides in the league”.

A tough day at the office for sure. Perhaps starting the game putting the ball wide played into Northern’s hands because in the second, when playing a tighter game with our forwards we were for periods the better side. Sadly, the penalty count against us was again a cause for concern as was the lineout which was patchy at best with mistakes gifting Northern at least three of their six tries. But credit where credit is due, Northern looked fitter and sharper than the home side and as Nyle alluded to, they were clinical when it mattered.

Northern remain top of Regional 2 North, unbeaten after five games with Park slipping down to fourth place behind Northern, West Hartlepool and Keswick.

For Northern, the half backs of Jobling and Guthrie controlled the game well and Godsmark was a constant threat in the back line. For Park, captain Sam Digman led by example and George Chapman, despite carrying an injury for most of the game, and Matthew French tried to give the side some go forward. Our thanks for a hard game and we wish them well for the rest of the season. Our grateful thanks as always to the referee for today, Alun Ross.

On Friday evening the Lions enjoyed a thumping win over the Pink Panthers RFC from Utrecht in The Netherlands but the Dutch touring side still had a great night in the Clubhouse! The Colts also enjoyed a big win at Gosforth on Sunday 12-52 to go top of the table having won all four of their league games. The Panthers had a rest weekend.

Next Saturday, The 1^st XV make the short journey south along the A19 to take on Sunderland at Ashbrooke, KO is 3pm.  

Percy Park: 15 Andrew Walker; 14 Thomas Bird; 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Seb Reece; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 George Chapman; 8 Matthew French 7 Connor Bowran; 6 Karl Thompson; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Michael Birkett; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman ©

Replacements: Tristan Grant; Tom Robinson; Jordan Carey

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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

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