Saturday 21 October 2023
Percy Park 52 West Hartlepool 24
Regional 2 North
(HT: 26-14)
West Hartlepool were our visitors at the weekend for the Round 7 fixture in Regional 2 North. Great credit must go to the Park ground staff as the pitch was in almost perfect condition after the ravages of Storm Babet over the preceding two days. Park were looking to get back to winning ways after a comprehensive defeat at Consett last time out and maintain their position at the top of the league table while West were looking to build on a highly encouraging win over Durham City last weekend. The game was sponsored by our friends from Wade Financial who continue to support the club for which we are sincerely grateful and the President of the Northumberland RFU, Ruth Scott, was our guest for the day. Park made a number of changes from the defeat at Consett; Toby Davison moved to full back in place of the unavailable Jamie Wrigley, captain Howard Stock returned to the right wing and Ross Young to the left, both having missed last week's game. In the pack, Dan Shuttleworth came in as hooker, Matt Smith replaced Tristan Grant at tighthead prop, Josh Hedley returned to the second row and making his first start in the 1st XV since his return to the club, Jake Smith packed down on the flank.
In thankfully dry conditions, West kicked off with the slight breeze at their backs. The early exchanges saw Park attempting to play with width but hampered by errors and indiscipline allowing West early front foot ball with No 8 Jay Corbett to the fore but when West knocked on, Park showed their attacking intent with strong running from centre Ash Smith and wing Ross Young moving the home side deep into West territory. When a Park penalty advantage came to nought, the ball was kicked into the left hand corner and from the resultant line out, Park, in what has been a potent weapon this season, drove hard to the West line for hooker Dan Shurttleworth to touch down after 4 minutes. Paul Spowart missed the conversion (5-0).
From the restart, Park gained possession and some exhilarating back play with stand-off Fergus Simpson and wing Howard Stock prominent, Park were quickly into the West half only for a knock on to halt progress. From the scrum, the Park eight showed their power, driving West off of the ball and a chip through by Smith playing another penalty advantage by referee Tony Lowery had the West defence scrambling to touch the ball down in goal. Park were not able to sustain the pressure as a penalty awarded for an infringement in the tackle allowed West a relieving kick to touch. As a consequence, West were able to build some phases with Corbett and full back Sam Knight making ground but a knock on halted momentum. After regaining possession Park made steady progress, the ball being moved up to the West 22 before knocking on but from the scrum, the Park forwards again splintered the visitors pack, the regained ball quickly moved right for wing Howard Stock to power over wide on the right on 20 minutes, centre Paul Spowart kicking an excellent conversion (12-0).
As has too often been the case this season, Park infringed immediately, after scoring, from the restart as they were penalised for not releasing in the tackle but West were unable to take advantage as centre Matt Siddle pushed the penalty kick wide. Play became somewhat scrappy with both sides unable to retain possession, both making errors and being punished for indiscipline. After 29 minutes, Park regained possession on their 22 after a West kick was charged down only for a long wayward pass infield to go straight into the hands of West wing Lewis Scott who ran in unopposed to score West’s first try under the posts. This was converted by Siddle (12-7).
This gift galvanised the home side, with some excellent interplay between forwards and backs driving Park forward, forcing the visitors to concede penalties. From a resultant line out deep in the West 22, Park drove for the line. Dan Shuttleworth peeled off but was stopped just short of the West line but as the ball was recycled prop Aaron Smith was driven over for the try to the right of the posts on 34 minutes. With the low sun directly in his eyes, Paul Spowart kicked another excellent conversion (19-7). Park seemed to lose concentration from the restart, and when West left wing Max Tennant gained possession on half way, wide on the left, he was able to evade several attempted tackles into open space and canter in by the posts for a brilliant individual try which was converted by Siddle on 37 minutes (19-14). Park responded immediately; as half time approached they scored the bonus point try. From the restart, West were penalised for a high tackle and the ball kicked into the left hand corner. From the lineout catch and drive it was hooker Shuttleworth touching down again for Spowart to convert from wide out on the left.
HT: Percy Park 26 West Hartlepool 14
The second half saw Park straight on to the attack, a promising position lost as West turned the ball over and kick the ball out on half way. From the lineout stand-off Fergus Simpson and wing Ross Young combined brilliantly along the left wing to breach the West defence. As the move appeared to break down Simpson was able to regather and score wide out on the left on 42 minutes. Spowart converted (33-14).
The game lost cohesion, Park conceding needless penalties and West making handling errors but eventually West were able to make the penalty count pay. On 49 minutes, punching holes into the midfield with referee Lowery playing advantage, the ball was moved right for wing Lewis Scott to score his second try wide on the right which was unconverted (33-19). West were still in the game. From the restart, play was initially scrappy but Park started to put together some good phases. From a scrum on the left of half way, the ball was moved quickly to the right touchline. Wing Stock was tackled but the ball was moved infield with prop Matt Atkinson powering up to the West posts. Tackled, the ball was moved left only for a pass to be over thrown straight into touch. However, from the resultant West lineout, the ball was stolen by No 8 James Black who crashed over 5 metres infield on 55 minutes. The try was unconverted (38-19).
Park began to play with real intent, again backs and forwards working together well. A thundering charge in midfield by prop Matt Atkinson had West scrambling in defence but a very promising move broke down when Park backs were penalised for crossing. West then had a period of pressure but were unable to breach the Park defence with the home side able to kick for touch on half way on the right. From the lineout, the ball moved left with full back Toby Davison breaking the defensive line. As the ball was recycled after the tackle and with the referee playing advantage, No 8 James Black made ground and gave the scoring pass to flanker Jake Smith who scored with an ‘Ash Splash’ wide on the left, an excellent try. Spowart converted on 65 minutes (45-19).
The home side scored again after 69 minutes when from a West knock on in midfield, the ball was moved right with Davison again making ground and delivering a superb offload in the tackle, the ball ending up wide on the right with left wing Ross Young whose swift feet, change of direction and hand off had him score another excellent try under the posts for Spowart to convert (52-19). West refused to lie down and what was almost a repeat of their last try, continuing infringements allowed them to punch holes in the Park defence, playing a repeated advantage, before prop Jack Angus scampered over for their bonus point try on 74 minutes. The try was unconverted (52-24). Although, as the clock ticked down, Park pressed there was to be no further score.
FT: Percy Park 52 West Hartlepool 24
Player/Coach Ash Smith was his honest self when asked how he thought the game had gone after last week's defeat at Consett: “Better….” was his considered response, adding that there had been much discussion about the defeat with some honest opinions aired, but he admitted that discipline remains problematic. There were far too many penalties awarded against the hosts this week it must be said and it was a factor in the loss last week.
James Black had a great game at No 8 for Park but in truth, at different times, almost every player did something that made a difference and yes, indiscipline was a problem and might be more of one in tighter games, but at times we produced some excellent rugby and Park did score 8 tries to maintain the record of a try bonus point in every league game played this season. Despite the scoreline, West kept fighting to the end and a bonus point was just reward for their efforts, Before injury, No 8 Jay Corbett was influential and full back Sam Knight, in his first season in senior rugby, played well. They are a good side and will win a good many matches this season; we wish them well, thank them for a good hard game and look forward to the return at Brinkburn in February. Our thanks too to referee Tony Lowery. Park remain at the summit of Regional 2 North, 5 points clear of Middlesbrough who beat Consett 38-17 on Saturday.
There was a presentation pre game to our long serving former Junior Registration Secretary Melanie Ward, and we thank you Mel for very many years of volunteer service to Percy Park. Please don’t be a stranger!
Next week, 28 October, Park are at home to Alnwick from Regional 1 North East in the Northumberland Senior Cup, KO 3pm and return to league action on Saturday 4 November at Durham City, KO 2pm.
Percy Park: 15 Toby Davison; 14 Howard Stock (c); 13 Paul Spowart; 12 Ash Smith; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 James Black; 7 Jake Smith; 6 Leo Caulfield; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Matt Smith; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith.
Replacements: Tristan Grant; Max Bailey; Robin Houghton.
Photo Galleries.
Park - Here
West Hartlepools - Here