Saturday 2 March 2024

Stockton 0 Percy Park 57

Regional 2 North

(HT: 0-31)

This was, by some margin, Park’s biggest win of the season, at home or on the road, and Stockton’s biggest defeat of what has for them been a disappointing campaign. With now just three league games remaining and still holding a nine-point lead over nearest challengers Northern, this game was indeed a huge statement of intent from Park to win the league title. I have rarely seen a game, at any level, where the home team have not once entered the oppositions 22 in the first 40 minutes but that was certainly the case on Saturday and with the visitors scoring five first half tries without reply the contest was effectively over at the break. The hosts, in tenth place in the league table, needed something from the game and the talk in the clubhouse pre-match was of Stockton playing an expansive game to secure, if not the win, a bonus point or bonus points. However, their only real threat came early in the second half and, not for the first time this season, Park’s defence when called upon was simply outstanding.

There were just three changes to the side that defeated Durham two weeks ago; Ross Young returned to the starting line-up on the left wing after injury, Tristan Grant replaced the unavailable Aaron Smith in the front row and both Ollie Bartles-Smith and Matt Atkinson returned to the replacements bench. I am not sure who at Park sent over the team sheet, but it could not have included first names because our hosts appear to have invented them. The pick of the bunch in the match programme were Ollie Reekie, Ollie Spowart (Ollie is obviously popular on the Tees) and my own favourite, Isaac Dubois!

The hosts kicked off on an overcast, very cold afternoon with a slight breeze and rain never too far away. Park were immediately on the attack and a sweeping move along the left touchline saw a kick ahead by standoff Fergus Simpson canon off a Stockton player to avert danger but it did not take the visitors very long to post the first score of the game. On 5 minutes, a Park scrum in centre field saw the ball moved swiftly right. Captain Howard Stock on the right wing jinked in field, the ball moving quickly to the supporting Josh Hedley. The second row crashed through two attempted tackles to give the scoring pass to prop Sam Digman who went over just to the right of the posts. The try was converted by centre Paul Spowart (0-7).  

The second try came just four minutes later. From the restart, slick play from the visitors forced a defensive lineout deep in the Stockton 22. Although the ball was secured, pressure from the Park forwards had Stockton struggling to clear the ball from their own in goal area and when the Stockton fullback Ollie Shaw attempted a left footed clearance kick it simply fell straight into the arms of Park hooker Dan Shuttleworth who crashed over midway between the right touchline and the posts. Spowart converted (0-14).

The visitors immediately attacked again from the restart with fullback Jamie Wrigley racing along the left touchline and his pass to Ross Young looked to have put the winger in but he was denied by an outstanding tackle from Stockton fullback Ollie (there’s that name again) Shaw. After 15 minutes Park scored again from a scrum just outside the home 22. A huge shove by the visiting eight had the Stockton pack going backwards and flanker James Black took the opportunity to pick up, evade two would be tackles, and score in the left-hand corner. The conversion was missed (0-19).

The third Park score seemed to galvanise the home side into securing some possession, but they simply could not gain any meaningful territory and when they lost the ball on halfway visiting scrum half Andrew Walker kicked ahead. He won the race for the ball to score but referee Mike Appleton called play back for an infringement that appeared to puzzle even the home support. As the half progressed Stockton were forced to give away penalties with Park electing scrums on several occasions. Ross Young slipped as the try line beckoned and prop Tristan Grant was held up on the line as the pressure mounted but after Stockton were forced to touch down in goal the scrum pressure finally told. James Black was held up just short but quick ball saw Paul Spowart at pace put second row Chris Reekie in for the bonus point try on 37 minutes. Spowart converted (0-26).

With the clock winding down to the break Stockton must have been hoping to hear the half time whistle but unfortunately for them Park were not finished. In first half stoppage time, a Park lineout in the Stockton 22 saw the ball into the arms of flanker ‘Isaac’ Dubois who stormed over in the left-hand corner for try number five. Spowart was unable to kick the difficult conversion (0-31).

HT: Stockton 0 Percy Park 31

As the rain began to fall, Park kicked off the second half. It was as if the first half had not happened, with the home side on the attack and immediately in the Park 22. The next 10 minutes saw the visitors under sustained pressure but excellent defence denied the home side any serious scoring opportunity despite them twice being almost on the try line. As the third quarter ended, Park were able to lift the siege. From a scrum midway in the Park half, a great run from Black eventually led to Stockton conceding a penalty for not releasing in the tackle and the ball was kicked into the corner. The catch and drive saw Park held up over the line and Stockton were able to clear their lines. Despite this period of pressure, Stockton had failed to score and the fight seemed to go out of them with Park taking full advantage.  After a high tackle on replacement centre Ollie Bartles-Smith midway in the Stockton half, the ball was kicked to the right corner. From the lineout the ball was moved quickly into midfield where a superb pass from Spowart put Bartles-Smith, running a great line, in just to the right of the posts on 62 minutes. Spowart converted (0-38).

The next few minutes saw the visitors constantly on the attack with Stockton defending valiantly but the damn broke again on 72 minutes when, from a scrum midway in the Stockton half, a great pass from Walker saw Ross Young score in at the left-hand corner. The conversion was missed (0-43).

With time running out, Stockton must have been hoping that their misery was complete but it was not to be with standoff Fergus Simpson scoring two excellent late tries. The first, on 75 minutes, saw Simpson on a great run along the right touchline. He was tackled and the ball was moved across field to left wing Ross Young. He made ground and his fantastic offload saw the ball back infield to Simpson to crash over. Paul Spowart converted (0-50).

With time almost called, another excellent attacking move saw Simpson over by the posts for Paul Spowart to convert with the last kick of the match (0-57).

FT: Stockton 0 Percy Park 57

This was as comprehensive a victory as could be wished for, home or away, and it maintains the nine-point lead over Northern at the summit of Regional 2 North. Our city rivals won a hard fought game at Consett 18-27 and in the process secured a try bonus point. It is going to be a fantastic climax to the league season. Our commiserations to Stockton; it is never easy to be on the receiving end of a very heavy defeat but to their great credit, they never threw in the towel and, particularly in the opening of the second half, played well without gaining any reward. No 8 Paul Evans and scrum half Nick Whinstanley played extremely well but the defeat sends our hosts to second bottom of the league. We wish them the very best for the remainder of the season; they were gracious in defeat and we thank them for their kind and generous hospitality. Our grateful thanks, as always, to referee Mike Appleton.

For Park, it was all positive; an attacking threat from almost anywhere on the field and a defence that just seems to get better with every game played. Our man-of-the-match Paul Spowart had this to say post-match: “I hope that the hard work that the lads are putting in is plain to see. There are thirty-five senior players at every training session working so, so hard, playing their hardest for the shirt, for the club. Every game we treat as a cup final, that is our mentality and it will be until the last league game is played. I have to say, although we scored a lot of tries today, our defence when we needed it was fantastic and again, it shows the work that we are doing in training”. That hard work is very much in evidence but the players are definitely not getting ahead of themselves; nothing has yet been achieved so the hard work continues. Paul also asked me to mention that he won, all too easily, the after match MOTM drink contest. The sign of a seasoned pro Spow!

The Lions were also on Teeside to take on Billingham and although they lost 54-28 in a high scoring game, the Lions played as well as they have done this season. Billingham had several players from their National 2 side playing but they were given a stern test by their Tyneside opponents. This Saturday, the Lions face the Rockcliff 1st XV in the Northumberland Plate semi-final at Preston Avenue, KO is at 2pm. The game will be followed by the live screening of the England v Ireland 6 Nations game in the 1872 Bar. All support would be most welcome particularly as there is no first team game next weekend.

The Panthers too are engaged in a titanic battle for the league championship in NC 3 North (North). Having lost their last two league games by agonisingly close margins, 15-12 at Rockcliff and 25-24 at Blaydon, they hold a slender one point lead at the top with one game to play, at home to Blaydon on Sunday17 March. It should be a great game and again, all support would be most welcome.

Park are next in action on Saturday 16 March when they return to Teeside to take on Middlesbrough who are currently third in the Regional 2 North table and who are unbeaten in their last five league fixtures, the latest being a 30-34 victory at Durham at the weekend. It will be a very tough test.  

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Ross Young; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jonny Dubois; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Tristan Grant.

Replacements: Matt Atkinson, Jake Smith, Ollie Bartles-Smith

Photo courtesy of Julie Hedley

Saturday 17 February 2024

Percy Park 43 Durham City 7 

Regional 2 North

(HT: 12-0)

Durham City arrived at Preston Avenue as one of the form teams in Regional 2 North, third in the table having won seven of their last eight league games and, pre match, there was a quiet air of confidence from their support that they could cause an upset and inflict only the second defeat of the league season on Park and their first at home. And when, after Park had needed to produce a superb first half defensive effort, Durham scored early in the second half to reduce the deficit to just five points there were more than a few spectators (President Keith Atkinson an honourable exception) who began to think Durham might just be able to do it but in an amazing twenty-three minute spell Park turned defence into devastating attack to score five tries and inflict the visitors heaviest defeat of the season. It has to be said, Durham were a little shell shocked at the final whistle, particularly after their first half efforts and it must have been difficult for them to understand how they had not scored in the opening 40 minutes. Regardless of the scoreline, this was a blood and thunder contest by two fully committed teams.

For Percy Park, there were several team changes after last weekend’s win at Aspatria; captain Howard Stock returned to the right wing and, after his very promising debut last week, Josh Sho-Perring switched to the left wing in place of the injured Toby Davison. Up front, Sam Digman replaced Tristan Grant at tighthead prop and Jonny Dubois replaced Jake Smith in the back row. Smith and Grant dropped to the replacements bench where they were joined by Ross Young, making a welcome return to the side after a lengthy injury spell on the sidelines.

On an overcast but thankfully dry day, with very little breeze, Park kicked off and were immediately on the offensive with the early exchanges taking place in the Durham half. After a great Josh Hedley pass, standoff Fergus Simpson broke through the visitors defence with a great run but was unable to get what would have been a scoring pass away to the supporting Leo Caulfield but Park had two further early chances to score, the second of which they took. Twice in the space of two minutes, Park kicked penalties into the right hand corner and after the first catch and drive resulted in the ball being knocked on, the second, on 6 minutes, was perfectly executed for No 8 Caulfield to score wideout. Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion (7-0).

From the kick off Park gained a scrum penalty almost immediately and seemed to be in the ascendancy, moving the ball well and gaining ground but then a series of unforced errors handed the initiative to Durham. A knock on, a turnover and a relieving kick to touch out on the full, in very quick succession, led to a Durham throw at a lineout just outside of the hosts 22. From here Durham brought their big ball carriers into play led by No 8 Peter Dent to get the visitors almost to the try line. For the next seven or eight minutes, Durham hammered at the Park line but the home defence was simply magnificent. Twice, Durham were held up over the line and whether they used the forwards as battering rams or put the ball wide every attack was met with a black and white wall. The tackling was relentless, every Park player involved, and while it is difficult to single out any one in particular, one tackle by second row Chris Reekie on Dent shook the Clubhouse! But as the first quarter ended, Durham conceded a penalty for not releasing in the tackle which was greeted by much fist pumping by the home players and centre Ash Smith was able to relieve the pressure.

The second quarter was an attritional battle; both sides wanting to play but both defences equal to the task. Again, the tackling was relentless with both sides hampered by unforced errors. One Jamie Wrigley run had the Durham defence scrambling to cover but Park were beginning to get the upper hand in the scrum which was to prove vital as the first half ended. Durham were awarded a scrum midway in their own half but a huge effort from the home eight sent the City pack backwards at a rate of knots forcing a scrum penalty which was kicked into the left hand corner. Another excellent catch and drive had Dan Shuttleworth touch down wide on the left on 39 minutes. Paul Spowart was unable to convert the difficult kick (12-0). An thunderously physical first half, superbly refereed by Anthony Lowery.

HT: Percy Park 12 Durham City 0 

Durham kicked off the second half and were immediately on the attack, moving the ball both left and right probing the Park defence. After the Park scrum half strayed offside on the 22, Durham kicked the resultant penalty into the left hand corner. Although the catch and drive did not go to plan, Durham retained possession and a series of drives were held up, again with magnificent defence by the hosts. However, City No 8 Peter Dent eventually found a gap to squeeze the ball down to the left of the posts. Scrum half and Durham skipper Paul Armstrong converted on 43 minutes (12-7). Durham on the scoreboard, just five points adrift, game on (or so we thought) but then came the Park twenty-three minute purple patch… 

From the kick off, Durham conceded a penalty after referee Lowery deemed a tackle on second row Chris Reekie was dangerous and although he played advantage play was quickly brought back to the Durham 10 metre line where the ball was kicked into the visitors 22. Excellent play by Dent disrupted the Park drive after the ball was secured from the throw but scrum half Andrew Walker saw second row Josh Hedley out on the left touchline. The big man crashed through two attempted tackles to offload a perfect ball inside to the supporting Walker who skipped through for an excellent try on 47 minutes midway between the touchline and posts. Spowart converted and Park had restored their twelve point advantage (19-7). 

The next few minutes saw Durham playing in the Park half but they were unable to fashion any real pressure or scoring opportunities due to indiscipline. Eventually, a Park penalty brought play to halfway. From the lineout, the ball was moved infield but when Reekie was tackled the ball came back left and fullback Wrigley, running an excellent line at pace, scorched along the left hand touchline. He kicked ahead as the cover came across, but as the Durham full back attempted a relieving kick to touchl, replacement wing Ross Young charged the ball down, regathered, and scored in the left corner for a great opportunist try on 56 minutes. The conversion was missed but the try bonus point had been secured (24-7). 

Four minutes later Park scored again. From the kick off the hosts secured possession and a surging run from Reekie set them off. Great support play saw Park almost to the 22 before Durham infringed (not rolling away after the tackle) and the resultant kick was put into the visitors 22 on the left touchline. The throw went directly to Park flanker James Black who saw the space in front of him open up and he galloped over for the score which was converted by Paul Spowart (31-7).

Park retained possession from the kick off, keeping the ball in hand, creating space and forcing Durham on the defensive. Ross Young powered into the Durham half off of his wing but lost his footing but possession was retained and quick ball into the hands of Wrigley had the fullback racing up to the 22 where his outside pass to right wing Howard Stock had the captain over in the corner for another superb score on 65 minutes. Paul Spowart kicked an excellent conversion (38-7). 

A storming run from replacement prop Tristan Grant straight from the restart had Park back on the front foot and when, eventually, a Durham defensive lineout on their own 10 metre line was turned over Chris Reekie was on hand to crash over for try number seven on 70 minutes to the left of the posts. The conversion was missed (43-7).

Durham had become a bit ragged during the Park onslaught but to their credit regrouped in search of a late score but resolute Park defence kept them at bay. On 75 minutes, Park second row Hedley was adjudged by referee Lowery to have tackled a City player dangerously and was shown a yellow card, a fair call by the official. This seemed to galvanise the home side once again and the last few minutes saw Park camped in the visitors 22 but they were unable to add to the score.

FT: Percy Park 43 Durham City 7

This was a cracker of a game that certainly showed the very best of this Park squad of players. Awesome defence was required in the first half but even so, they found a way to score two tries. In the second half, when Durham scored early and the pressure was on, Park found a way to hit top gear and simply blow the visitors away. Seven tries to one tells its own story perhaps but Durham played their part in what was an enthralling contest. 

Jake Smith had this to say post match: “A really hard game. First half we were under pressure but our defence was rock solid. In the second, we were able to really turn the screw and I thought Durham crumbled a bit if I’m honest, no disrespect to them. We aren’t talking about winning the league, we’re not allowed to! It’s one game at a time as the saying goes”. The lads are obviously not getting ahead of themselves.

Josh Hedley was our man-of-the-match and, in truth, he was immense and seems to get better and better each week although he would probably agree that every Park player contributed to what was in the end a comprehensive victory. It was great to see both captain Howard Stock and Ross Young return to action and both scored tries. For Durham, No 8 Peter Dent was outstanding and in the backs, right wing Ben Speight was eager for work, particularly in the first half. We thank them for a real physical battle, played in the right spirit, and wish them well for the remainder of the season, particularly their home game against Northern in their penultimate league game. We apologise for the cold showers - problem with the boilers!  Our grateful thanks also to referee Anthony Lowery without whom there is no game and to our match sponsors Marine Safety Supplies whose continued support is so greatly appreciated.

Park maintain their nine point lead over Northern at the top of Regional 2 North with four games to go. Northern had a big win over Morpeth at McCracken Park, 50-10. Durham slip to fourth in the table after this defeat with Middlesbrough, who we meet on Teeside next month, moving into third after a 29-5 home victory over West Hartlepool. 

The Lions also had a good win at home to West Hartlepool Stags. The First XV are next in action in two weeks time when they travel to Stockton in the league on Saturday 3 March, KO is at 3pm. However, if you need your regular fix next weekend, the Lions are at home to Blaydon on Saturday 24 February and the Panthers continue their quest to win NC3 North (North) on Sunday 25 February when they take on Rockcliff at Hillheads. All support for our teams would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Josh Sho-Perring; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield ©; 7 Jonny Dubois; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Sam Digman; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements: Tristan Grant; Jake Smith; Ross Young

Saturday 10 February 2024

Aspatria 25 Percy Park 30 

Regional 2 North

(HT: 11-22)

For 70 minutes at Bower Park, Percy Park were in control of what was a very hard, very physical game, leading by 30 points to 11 having secured the try bonus point early in the second half, when Aspatria burst into life scoring two late tries to secure a bonus point of their own but it was too late to deny Park a hard fought victory. It was no more than the visitors deserved and, with Northern not playing, Park have now opened up a nine point lead at the top of Regional 2 North with five games left to play for both clubs. With only one defeat at home all season, and the perceived injustice of their late defeat at Morpeth last time out, Aspatria were certainly up for this game which their programme noted ‘has been anticipated for sometime by Black Reds supporters’.

Jamie Wrigley made a welcome return to the side at fullback after injury, the speedy debutant Josh Sho-Perring replaced Max Bailey on the right wing with skipper Howard Stock still out and Toby Davison continued on the left wing in place of the injured Ross Young. In the forwards, Aaron Smith and Tristan Grant returned to the front row with Jake Smith returning to the back row after missing last week's trip to West Hartlepool. Jonny Dubois dropped to the bench with Sam Digman and Will Ponton. Leo Caulfield captained the side.

After two postponements and some very inclement weather earlier in the week, this game finally got under way on a dry, sunny afternoon with very little breeze. Park kicked off, playing towards the Clubhouse, and it was Aspatria who had the better of the early exchanges forcing two early penalties. The second, for offside, on the Park 10 metre line was punished by Aspatria centre Matt Irving who kicked the penalty on 3 minutes (3-0).

It took Park a minute to respond; the home side knocked on from the kick off and from the scrum, deep in the Aspatria 22, Toby Davison running a fantastic line took an inside pass from Ash Smith to score a sublime try behind the posts which centre Paul Spowart converted (3-7). From the kick off, Park, as they often do, attempted to play out of their 22 but Josh Hedley knocked on and from the resulting scrum inside the visitors 22, Aspatria turned the screw. A series of drives by the home forwards were stopped by an excellent defensive effort including a great tackle by Davison on Aspatria flanker Phil Dixon which stopped what would certainly have been a scoring pass to the right wing. An Aspatria infringement on the 22 relieved the pressure and from the lineout, Park moved the ball through the hands but the home side infringed again when a tackle on Davison was deemed by referee Martin Denvir to have been high.The penalty, which was just outside of the home 22, was kicked into the right corner. From the lineout, swift hands had second row Chris Reekie making ground before a great offload in the tackle to Fergus Simpson had the standoff score under the posts for another excellent try on 12 minutes. Paul Spowart converted (3-14). 

Back came Aspatria, clearly stung by the two early Park tries, and they had two opportunities to score, neither of which were taken. Firstly, from a scrum on the Park try line after a long Aspatria kick was knocked on, the ball moved quickly right but what might have been a scoring pass was put behind the right wing directly into touch. Shortly afterwards, fullback Grant Bethwaite moving into midfield seemed to glide through several attempted tackles only to spill the ball when the space behind the Park defence opened up in front of him and the chance was lost. The home side were to pay dearly as Park quickly scored again. Aspatria were penalised on their own 10 metre line for not rolling away after the tackle and the ball was kicked to the left hand touchline midway inside the 22. From the lineout, flanker James Black found himself in space and charged forward and his pass to Leo Caulfield had the skipper crash over 5 metres infield from the touchline on 19 minutes. The conversion was missed (3-19).

As the first quarter ended, Apatria were getting a little frustrated finding themselves three tries down without converting any of their own opportunities, and from the kick off, yet another high tackle earned home captain Jack Gaskell a stern warning from referee Denvir. It was not heeded as, on 23 minutes, shortly after Park had nearly scored again, Aspatria centre Irving was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on his opposite number, Park centre Paul Spowart. The next 10 minutes were littered with errors and infringements from both sides and the game was becoming a little bit feisty but Aspatria were controlling territory, the game being played in the Park 22. An excellent defensive effort was then undone when a defensive lineout was not secured, the throw to the back missing the jumper, and Aspatria seized the moment, second row Tom Gardner eventually crashing over 10 metres infield from the right touchline on 35 minutes. Irving, just back on the field, was unable to convert (8-19).  

Both sides then traded penalties as the clock wound down on the opening half. Firstly, Aspatria were penalised on their own 22 in front of the posts for Spowart to kick the points on 38 minutes (8-22) but their was still time for the home side to mount one more attack, Park being penalised for offside in front of their posts with Irving successfully scoring with the last kick of the half (11-22).

HT: Aspatria 11 Percy Park 22

Aspatria began the second half with real intent, immediately testing the Park defence deep in the visitors 22, but then came a moment of black and white magic. Prop Tristan Grant ripped the ball cleanly from an Aspatria forward and in the blink of an eye the ball had been transferred at speed to the returning Jamie Wrigley who set off at pace along the left touchline. In a magnificent length of the field sprint the fullback outpaced the home cover to score a fantastic try in the left hand corner. Paul Spowart was unable to convert the difficult conversion. The try bonus point in the bag, 42 minutes played (11-27).    

Park almost added to the score a short while later when Wrigley burst through the home defence to put wing Josh Sho-Perring into space. The wing sped into the home 22 and when he was tackled Aspatria infringed at the breakdown, the resultant penalty was kicked into the right hand corner. The catch and drive was executed perfectly but as the try line beckoned the ball was knocked on and the chance was lost. Park almost paid dearly for the error when a stray pass was intercepted by Aspatria second row Riley Thwaites on halfway who galloped towards the Park try line. Somehow, standoff Fergus Simpson got back to tackle him just short and excellent support helped secure the ball and gain a penalty (not releasing) to relieve the pressure. It was end to end play, Jamie Wrigley having another storming run along the left touchline, before the game became a little disjointed due to errors, replacements and injuries. 

On 67 minutes, Park were awarded a penalty (another high tackle) just outside of the Aspatria 22 but directly onto the posts which was kicked by Spowart (11-30). However, Park began to struggle a little up front due to enforced changes and the pressure began to build from the home side in the last 10 minutes. It was now that Aspatria produced their sting in the tail; Park were caught offside in midfield and the kick was launched into the left hand corner. The catch and drive faltered and a stop/start series of drives eventually succeeded with replacement Luke Jackson going over for the score on 73 minutes. Matt Irving converted (18-30).

For the remaining 7 minutes of the game, Park were on the defensive, Aspatria sensing a losing bonus point or better if they could score quickly but it took until the clock went into the red when fullback Grant Bethwaite broke through a tiring Park defence to score wide on the right which was converted by Irving with the last kick of the match (25-30).

FT: Aspatria 25 Percy Park 30

Captain for the day Leo Caulfield had this to say post game: “We talked all week about what Aspatria would bring to the game, that they would be a physical team and that we would have to match that. All of the lads stood up and put a massive defensive effort into the game. We know it’s not the best we have played but to come here to a team that has only lost once at home all season and get five points, I think we have shown why we deserve to be sitting on top of the league”. It is hard to disagree with the skipper’s assessment. Aspatria were very physical and Park defended extremely well but what was most impressive was how well, when the opportunities to score came, they were taken and it is probably fair to say that some points were left out on the field of play. Unforced errors are problematic, perhaps, but the ability to score tries, resolutely defend when the pressure is on, and the character of this team cannot be disputed.

In the backline, both Jamie Wrigley and Toby Davison (before injury) excelled, Paul Spowart, Ash Smith and Fergus Simpson were rock solid in midfield and debutant Josh Sho-Perring is definitely one for the future. Up front, all of the forwards played well, particularly as the pack were disrupted by injury and necessary replacements, and Caulfield led by example as captain. Will Ponton also did well on his debut from the replacements bench. For Aspatria, the second row pairing of Tom Gardner and Riley Thwaites carried well and Matt Irving played well in the centre. The hosts are currently fifth in Regional 2 North and look set for a mid table finish which will continue their recent trend of year upon year improvement and we look forward to the return at Preston Avenue next month and thank them for their hospitality. Our grateful thanks too to referee Martin Denvir.  

The Lions also won on Saturday, beating a very good Sunderland side scoring 12 tries to 2 and the Pumas, joining with Whitley Bay Rockcliff in a Barbarians side, lost to Morpeth at Hillheads but it was excellent to see some third team rugby. Sadly, the Panthers were denied the chance to further cement their place at the top of NC3 North (North) by the weather with their game at Blaydon being called off on Sunday. 

Next Saturday, Park entertain Durham City RFC, KO 2 pm. Durham, who sit in third place in the league table, have won seven of their last eight fixtures and so come to Preston Avenue in excellent form and presumably full of confidence so it should be a great game. The Lions are also hopeful of entertaining Durham City at home next Saturday, KO also at 2 pm. All support for our teams would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Jamie Wrigley; 14 Josh Sho-Perring; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Toby Davison; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield ©; 7Jake Smith; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Josh Hedley; 3 Tristan Grant; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Aaron Smith

Replacements: Sam Digman; Jonny Dubois; Will Ponton

Saturday 3 February 2024

West Hartlepool 33 Percy Park 37 

Regional 2 North

(HT: 19-12)

The First XV made the journey south along the coast for a Regional 2 North encounter with West Hartlepool RFC with the aim of maintaining their position at the top of the league table with Northern only 3 points behind in second place. Brinkburn is a fantastic community facility and it is a credit to the West Hartlepool Club after all of the trials and tribulations since their halcyon days in the Premiership, so it was fitting, on the day of a visit by the President of the Durham RFU, that West President Dave Laycock made presentations to several ‘unsung heroes’ which were warmly applauded by the representatives of both clubs. The hosts were expecting a hard game as their programme notes made clear; “Welcome to our only home game in February - and it couldn’t be tougher as our old rivals and friends Percy Park arrive in top spot”. However, in the Clubhouse prior to the game there was a quiet air of optimism from our opponents and boy, was that optimism justified! In a roller coaster of a match, Park just about survived a white knuckle ride to edge out the hosts by 4 points, claiming a try bonus point in the process. 

Park were forced into several changes; in the backs, with Jamie Wrigley, Ross Young, captain Howard Stock and Oli Bartles-Smith all injured, Lucas Rowell continued at fullback, Max Bailey replaced Stock on the right wing, Ash Smith returned to partner Paul Spowart in the centre with Toby Davison replacing Sam McDonald on the left wing. In the forwards, Sam Digman came in as loose head prop in place of the unavailable Aaron Smith and in the second row, Joe Thompson replaced the unavailable Josh Hedley. Luke Foster came onto the replacements bench together with Tristan Grant and Robin Houghton. Flanker Jonny Dubois captained the side.

On a sunny, dry day it was the visitors who kicked off towards the Clubhouse into a stiff breeze. Park showed their intent, putting the ball out wide but an early knock-on was a sign of things to come. In contrast, it was a nervy start by West  who conceded a scrum and then a penalty deep in their 22 in the opening exchanges. The penalty was kicked into the left hand corner and although the catch and drive faltered, flanker James Black found a way to the try line for the opening score of the match on 4 minutes. There was a suspicion of a knock-on in the build up but referee Simon Barker awarded the score. Paul Spowart was unable to convert the difficult kick from the left touchline (0-5). 

If West had a sense of injustice about the Park try, it did not show as from the kick off they gifted Park possession but as the visitors again began to move the ball with confidence, Spowart was penalised for straying offside at a breakdown and this was the catalyst for West to get into the game. From the resulting lineout on the left just inside the Park half, West mauled with real intent, releasing the ball and moving it wide. After infringing at a breakdown, Park were marched back 10 yards for knocking the ball away with the resulting kick into the left corner. For several minutes, West laid siege to the Park try line with Black and prop Sam Digman leading the defensive effort but after 14 minutes West had their reward when prop Adam Hutchinson burrowed his way to the line for the score to the left of the posts. The try was unconverted (5-5). Park certainly knew they were in a game.

The next 10 minutes saw Park gain the ascendancy in terms of possession and territory but repeated knock-ons and infringements halted any meaningful progress. One kick ahead by stand off Fergus Simpson after West had spilled the ball had the hosts scrambling in defence but the ball was eventually safely touched down. From a scrum on their own 10 metre line after Park had again knocked-on, West scrum half and skipper Ryan Painter exploded along the right touchline and his infield pass found stand off Ollie Connolly in support. Connolly evaded two attempted tackles to score an outstanding try behind the posts on 24 minutes which he then converted to turn the game on its head (12-5).

From the kick off, Park were immediately on the offensive with full back Lucas Rowell injecting real pace but several promising phases which appeared to involve every Park player were eventually stopped by yet another knock-on. However, referee Barker had seen a West Infringement and the resulting kick was put into the right hand corner. A perfectly executed catch and drive had hooker Dan Shuttleworth touch down on 28 minutes. Spowart kicked an excellent conversion from wide on the right to tie the scores (12-12).

As the half entered the final 12 minutes, West began to apply real pressure, constantly probing the Park defence in the visitors 22. After 35 minutes, West got their reward when, after the hosts turned over possession, Park attempted to play out of their 22 as they often do but knocked on yet again. From the scrum, West moved the ball at speed out to the left for wing Max Tennant to score wideout. Connolly kicked an excellent conversion (19-12).

Seemingly shocked by the score, Park attacked from the kick off, earning a penalty that was kicked into the right hand corner. Frustratingly, as Park drove for the line the ball was somehow knocked-on and the chance was lost.

HT: West Hartlepool 19 Percy Park 12

If Park lacked accuracy in the first half they certainly did in the opening exchanges of the second, knocking-on three times in the first few minutes. Firstly, from the kick off, great play involving Rowell and skipper Jonny Dubois split the West defence only for the ball to be spilled as the try line beckoned. Moments later, as the Park 8 splintered the opposing pack, the ball was knocked on and seconds later, when West turned over possession, the ball was spilled in the tackle in midfield. West sensed an opportunity and when Park conceded a penalty and then a scrum in quick succession, they took it, with West skipper Painter scoring his second try of the match, jinking through the Park defence from a scrum in the visitors 22 on 46 minutes. Connolly converted the bonus point try to open up a commanding 14 point lead (26-12).

Although they were penalised on the West 22 almost immediately from the kick off, Park began to gain some useful possession and keep hold of the ball, probing the West defence. An attack along the left was halted illegally with the resulting penalty kick being put into the left hand corner. As the catch and drive stalled, and the West defence sucked in to stop it, hooker Dan Shuttleworth peeled off to score his second try of the match on 54 minutes but Spowart was unable to convert (26-17).  

As the game entered the final quarter, Park were still trailing by 9 points and yet another knock on gifted possession to the hosts. But in the space of 3 minutes, Park miraculously reduced the deficit to just one point. On 62 minutes, West were penalised midway in their own half for a not releasing offence and up stepped Paul Spowart to kick the penalty (26-20). 

Two minutes later, Park scored a fabulous try. From a lineout on the West 10 metre line, the Park forwards mauled the ball deep into the West 22, it was released at speed right along the line for full back Lucas Rowell to score in the right hand corner. Spowart was unable to convert (26-25). Park had their bonus point try.

As the game was entering the final 10 minutes, West were still leading and sensed an upset, storming into the Park 22 searching for the clinching score. Park were penalised three times in quick succession for offside and for not releasing in the tackle and as a consequence, No 8 Leo Caulfield was shown a yellow card on 70 minutes. It was not too clear for which offence he was sanctioned. Behind on the scoreboard and down to fourteen men, Park seemingly had a mountain to climb but were not to be denied. West elected a scrum on the left hand side with Park a man down and they moved the ball at speed right but the move broke down with the ball ending up in the hands of left wing Toby Davison who sprinted almost the entire length of the field, As he tired and was about to be tackled, he passed infield to the speeding Lucas Rowell who in turn passed infield to the supporting Andrew Walker who scored a breathtaking try under the posts on 73 minutes for Paul Spowart to convert (26-32).

Two minutes later Park scored again, another scintillating try from full back Rowell on 75 minutes. From the kick off, Park moved the ball right, stand off Fergus Simpson injected pace, shredding the West defence, and gave the scoring pass to Rowell who sprinted in wide on the right. Spowart was unable to convert (26-37). There was still time for another score as the clock ticked down to the end of the match. As Park moved the ball in midfield the ball was spilled in the tackle and the ball was hacked on. The Park defence was unable to deal with the ball on the floor and as it squirmed out of reach it was hacked on again by West centre Will Hilditch who scored wide out on the left for Connolly to convert on 77 minutes (33-37). That was no more than West deserved but there was insufficient time for any further scoring in a breathless match.

FT: West Hartlepool 33 Percy Park 37  

“What a game! I enjoyed that!” was the verdict of the Cumbria Referees Society assessor sitting behind me in the stand and I cannot disagree. The game ebbed and flowed with the hosts taking the game to the league leaders and with just 10 minutes to go they surely fancied their chances after the Caulfield yellow card and still holding the lead, albeit by a point. But my word, did Park show resilience and a real desire to win, an outstanding effort that shows the character of this team. Yes, there was a frustrating lack of accuracy at times but as player/coach Ash Smith reflected post game “Last season, we would have lost that game but we have developed the ability to deal with pressure and crucially to score points when we have to. It wasn't the greatest performance today, far too many mistakes, but with the changes it was difficult but we found a way to win. Credit to West Hartlepool, they made it tough!”. West were magnanimous in defeat, proud to have run Park so close and more than happy with two bonus points in their quest for a mid table finish. For Park, Lucas Rowell and Dan Shuttleworth were standout performers, with the West half backs Ryan Painter and Ollie Connolly playing extremely well.

Northern won 12-19 at Upper Eden but with Park gaining the bonus point we now extend our lead over the City side in second to four points with a game in hand. West remain in eighth place on 34 points, the same number as Stockton in seventh, but with a game in hand. We thank them for their generous hospitality and wish them well for the remainder of the season. Our thanks, as always, to referee Simon Barker without whom there would be no game. 

The Lions also travelled to West and, with several Colts in the side, triumphed over West Hartlepool Stags to make it a Park win double. 

Next Saturday, 10 February, Park travel to Aspatria for our rearranged league game, KO at 2pm. All support would be welcome. If you are unable to make the trip to Cumbria, the Lions are at home to high flying Sunderland Shipwrights in what should be an excellent game and the Panthers are also in action next weekend when they are away to take on Blaydon hoping to cement their place at the summit of NC3 North (North) on Sunday, 11 February. Again, all support would be welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Lucas Rowell; 14 Max Bailey; 13 Ash Smith; 12 Paul Spowart; 11 Max Bailey; 10 Fergus Simpson; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Leo Caulfield; 7 Jonny Dubois ©; 6 James Black; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Joe Thompson; 3 Matt Atkinson; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman.

Replacements: Tristan Grant; Luke Foster; Robin Houghton.