Friendly
Percy Park RFC XV 34 v Tynedale RFC Raiders 7
Percy Park demonstrate strength in depth as Tyne struggle to deal with forward power.
Biblical rain falling on saturated ground had fingers crossed that we could provide a surface fit to play on. Armed with pitchforks, rollers and brushes a dedicated team of volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure match fit conditions; albeit with one or two puddles. Our anxiety wasn’t helped when our Regional 2 opposition were unable to field a team and as a consequence had to concede the game along with league points. Fortunately, Tynedale RFC answered our SOS and their Raiders side travelled east along the 69 to provide valuable game time and entertainment for a packed clubhouse enjoying their annual pre game Xmas lunch. Many, many thanks to Tynedale RFC for (literally) saving the day and to all our volunteers who ensured that we had game time and a full clubhouse. In today’s financial climate you cannot measure how important that was. And on that note:
Our thoughts are with Cockermouth RUFC who did everything they could to provide a team and fulfil the fixture. Sixteen players and no front row scuppered their efforts. They have our thanks for at least trying. And here is a message to the RFU and to our own CB. Playing numbers are rapidly decreasing, games are being cancelled, Rugby Clubs are struggling and what are our governing bodies doing?.......sleepwalking that’s what they are doing. To whom it may concern…..., time to wake up, listen and support grass roots rugby or there won’t be a game to govern!
Both sides began the contest by fielding their strongest starting XV and as we looked upwards the sun came out providing a really pleasant afternoon for the spectator. Not so sure what the players had the same thought. Tynedale kicked off by launching a high kick toward the Cricket Club end. Park collected and showed real intent to play. With ball in hand, moving left and right we constantly asked questions of a Tynedale defence.
A well taken lineout had the Percy Park forwards rumbling toward the visitors try line. A professional foul brought the move to and end. Park elected to go to the line. Chris Reekie, Matty Atkinson and Aaron Smith attacked. With Andrew Walker marshalling the attack Tyne were on the back foot. Chris Reekie came back around to crash over. A great forwards try and within minutes Tynedale knew they were in a game. Paul Spowart converted. 7 nil
Tynedale were unable to match Percy Park’s power in the scrum and our line out work gave the home side a real advantage. Tynedale were more than useful in the loose and had some really good young players on the ball. Park defended with discipline and when the opportunity arose, we attacked! Jamie Wrigley and debutant Josh Sho-Perring were graceful on the eye. As the game progressed the mud and wet ground began to have an effect with one or two knock ons. Another great line out brought the catch and drive. Tynedale were struggling to contain our forwards and as we approached the line we were awarded a penalty. Tynedale’s second row given a yellow card for deliberately blocking and preventing a scoring opportunity. A quick tap and pass put Chris Reekie over an undefended line. Score converted.
Our third try was a real gem. Once more from a well performed line out move, we brought Tynedale in field before stacking the stand side to attack the space. A great run from Fergus Simpson attracted the cover before a sublime pass put the supporting Jamie ‘Dubai’ Wrigley over in the cover. On this occasion Paul Spowart was unable to convert. 19 nil to Percy Park.
Tynedale introduced former Percy Park second row Ben Bell into the fray. The Tyne coaching team looking to Ben’s on field experience to shore up their team. Great to see him once more at Preston Avenue. Always welcome. Tyne continued to struggle in the set piece. Josh Hedly was having a great success in taking the away sides line out ball. It was in open play that Tyne excelled with their fly half Cam Stuart showing great promise and as the half wore on Percy Park were pegged back. The contact area became a slide and the ball difficult to pass, catch and hold on the ground. The referee Rebecca Rees doing well to keep her feet as she followed the play narrowly avoiding a full-face plant.
Park ahead at the turn. Both teams providing a very entertaining game for the faithful to watch and rightly ran both benches ensuring game time for all.. The game restarted with Tynedale receiving. The changes did not disrupt Percy Parks dominance in the set play. And it was that dominance that brought our fourth try of the afternoon. A line out at the bungalow corner; Park collecting for a catch and drive that could not be stopped. I’m not sure who landed the try all I know it was someone in a very black shirt! I think it was Mikey Fisher or Dan Shuttleworth. For one very good sponsorship reason I will stick with Mikey Fisher. Paul Spowart unable to convert from out wide.
The attempted conversion proved to be Paul’s last effort of the afternoon being replaced by James Towell. And so the family names keep rolling through the Percy Park team-sheets. Where James followed his dad it was fabulous to see Will Ponton make his debut Will following his dad and grandfather to grace the fields of Preston Avenue. Another remarkable day in the history of Percy Park.
Percy Park’s fifth try of the afternoon was a repeat of the fourth. On this occasion two of our backs joining the push to ensure Team Captain Dan Shuttleworth was there to score the try. I suppose I should recognise his well taken effort this time. James Towell was unable to convert. 29 points to nil
The game continued with some really entertaining rugby that flowed from end to end with many a player taking to the floor to gather a ball and either sliding past or gathering leaving a wet smear across the turf. Percy Park’s final score came from a penalty infield that was dispatched to the Cricket Club corner for a lineout in front of the Tynedale defensive line. Another well worked lineout had the ball moved to the back. A hefty shove had the home side moving before Captain Dan Shuttleworth slid in to score expertly avoiding the large puddle that had gathered there. The conversion was difficult and not taken. Mind the ball was no more akin to a brick
Tynedale managed a consolation try at the death following a good move in centre field. Final score 34 points to 7. Very impressive display from Percy Park who demonstrated some real strength in depth.
The game had great import as the fixture marked the retirement of our Club Management team in Brian and Margaret Scorer. Brian and Margaret have been at the heartbeat of Percy Park Rugby for twenty years and are irreplaceable. Their reputation as generous and genial hosts is well known throughout rugby circles in Northumberland and Northern England. We will miss them.
Coach Ash Smith made comment on the game:
“Firstly, I was gutted when the league game was cancelled. Many thanks to Tynedale for coming over and giving us a game! A runout was much needed after having 2 weeks of no rugby, especially with what we expect will be a very tough trip to Keswick next weekend. As for the game itself, it was brilliant to have a larger squad to watch the lads play. Midweek, we discussed how physicality is important when the conditions are in no one’s favour, and I think the lads bought into wanting to make contact with the opposition. Hats off to the pack; set-piece wise, they were strong and worked well off the ball. There are a couple of things to fine-tune in the backs, but in such messy conditions, you have to expect some things not to work quite right. I know it would have been said on Saturday, but from myself and the lads, we are massively thankful and always grateful for the effort Brian and Margaret put in to make playing rugby at Percy Park easy! Thanks for everything you have done, and all the best for the future”.
Representing Percy Park RFC:
From 8: Leo Caulfield, Jake Smith, Mikey Fisher, Josh Hedley, Chris Reekie, Matty Atkinson, Dan Shuttleworth and Aaron Smith
From 15: Jamie Wrigley, Josh Sho-Perring, Ollie Bartles-Smith, Paul Spowart, Paddy Browne, Fergus Simpson, Andrew Walker
Finishers: Tristan Grant, Marc Cook, Joe Thompson, Mark Barry, Will Ponton, Joe Cassidy, Sam MacDonald, James Towell and Teddy Summers