Saturday 22 November 2025

Percy Park 27 Keswick 18

Regional 2 North

(HT: 10-10)

Percy Park played host to second place Keswick on Saturday last and in an enthralling, physical encounter triumphed 27-18, earning a deserved try bonus point in the process. Despite a senior men’s squad decimated by injury and unavailability, Park rose to the occasion, particularly in the second half, surviving two yellow card decisions with a pack that just refused to yield to the bigger Keswick eight. After showing real character to secure a draw at Aspatria two weeks ago, Park again showed grit and determination to defeat Keswick, only their third defeat of the season, and at the final whistle, it was clear exactly what the win meant to the team. With poor weather throughout the week, the pitch passed an inspection on Friday so our  grateful thanks to the ground staff.

With an acute injury list, it was somewhat of a relief that there was only one change to the back division on Saturday, Andrew Walker who made such a significant impact at Aspatria replacing Freddie Harra at scrumhalf. In the forwards, Sam Digman and Dan Shuttleworth both made welcome returns to the front row to join Nick Macklin-Copeland and it was an all new back row, with Josh Cox, another standout performer at Aspatria, joined by Ethan Wilson and in a huge change from his normal position of centre, Paul Spowart coming in as blindside flanker. In the second row, Sean Nairn replaced the injured Karl Thompson. On the replacements bench Harra was joined by Tristan Grant and, after a lengthy injury absence, the welcome return of Josh Hedley.

On a very cold, overcast day Park kicked off and, winning the chase, were immediately on the offensive in and around the Keswick 22. After an excellent break by Spowart, seemingly relishing his unfamiliar role, brought play to within a couple of metres of the visitors try line. After numerous penalty advantages from referee Adam Morrison, an unstoppable Chris Reekie crashed over to the left of the posts on two minutes. Spowart missed the conversion (5-0).

Keswick responded immediately from the restart, winning a penalty on the Park 22 after a high tackle by No 8 Ethan Wison. Keswick outside half Kieran Mewse made no mistake with the kick, four minutes played (5-3). Thanks to intelligent kicking from Mewse, Keswick were playing in and around the Park 22 without really creating any threat and when they turned the ball over, Park showed their attacking intent attacking hard along the right touchline. When the ball was moved infield, a cross field kick into the left corner from outside half George Chapman had Keswick scrambling to touch the ball down before two chasing Park players could do so. Park were now beginning to exert real pressure, their forwards driving deep into the visiting 22 and, after a quarter of an hour, quick hands from a ruck had centre Fergus Simpson go over in the right corner. Chapman missed the difficult conversion (10-3).

Park continued to exert pressure but when the ball was turned over a long kick from Mewse into home territory had Park in defensive disarray and over enthusiasm  had No 8 Ethan Wilson tackle an opponent off the ball, resulting in a yellow card from Mr Morrison as the second quarter began. The resulting kick was put deep into the Park 22, but excellent maul defence kept the visiting eight out. Keswick laid siege in the Park 22, only indiscipline halting their momentum. But just as it appeared that Park had weathered the storm and effected a breakout indiscipline at a ruck again allowed Keswick to kick into the left corner. This time the catch and drive could not be stopped with (I believe) Keswick hooker Ally Hewett-Smith claiming the score. Mewse converted to tie the score on thirty minutes (10-10).

A needless obstruction gave Mewse the opportunity to kick a penalty on thirty-five minutes but he missed the kick from wide out on the right touchline and there was no further scoring as the half came to an end.

HT: Percy Park 10 Keswick 10

Keswick kicked off the second half and were ahead for the first time in the match within two minutes when yet another ruck offence (kicking through) was penalised midway in the Park half. The difficult kick was converted by Mewse (10-13).

The lead did not last for long, Park scoring an excellent try just seven minutes later. When Keswick, under pressure, were penalised on their 10 metre line, quick thinking from scrumhalf Andrew Walker with a quick tap penalty had the visiting defence in a mess and a rampaging charge from No 8 Ethan Wilson had Park almost at the try line. Quick hands right had hooker Dan Shuttleworth score wide out on the right. An excellent conversion from Chapman followed (17-13).

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors, a yellow card brandished by Mr Morrison for a high tackle on fifty-five minutes. Park took full advantage, working their way to the try line almost under the posts. Another Keswick infringement, a quick tap and go, swift hands left had replacement Josh Hedley crash over for a try that was warmly applauded by both his team and their supporters. Chapman kicked an excellent conversion from wide on the left (24-13).

Both sides were reduced to fourteen men when, as the game entered the last quarter, second row Chris Reekie received a yellow card from the  referee after what appeared to be a no arms tackle. Keswick began to turn the screw without creating any clear cut chance and when the ball was turned over, the ball was moved quickly right for skipper Howard Stock to make ground up to half way. A clever kick into the right corner from Walker put pressure back on the visitors but from the lineout, a strong carry from visiting second row Karl Smyth enabled the Cumbrians to attack along the right touchline. The next fifteen minutes saw both sides have periods of possession and territory but both were guilty of giving away needless penalties that halted any meaningful momentum.

A Keswick  scrum just on the Park 22 saw the home forwards marched backwards almost to the try line and two swift passes right had right wing Ryan Weir score in the right corner on seventy-four minutes. Mewse missed the very difficult conversion from the right touchline (24-18). A six point game with only a few tense minutes remaining. Park applied pressure and when they won a scrum in the Keswick 22, the home forwards repayed the compliment, pushing the visitors backwards and earning a penalty almost in front of the posts which was converted by Chapman on seventy-eight minutes (27-18).

Keswick won possession from the restart and remained camped in the home 22 but they elected to tap three very kickable penalties and when Park won a scrum penalty and then the subsequent lineout, the ball was put into touch, the game signalled at an end by the referee.

FT: Percy Park 27 Keswick 18

An excellent game of rugby, very physical, feisty at times but never beyond the pale. Captain Howard Stock was delighted at the end of the game: “You could see how much it meant to us, we really wanted the win. Things have been tough of late with so many injuries but the last couple of games have shown that we don’t lack spirit or the ability to play rugby. Keswick are a great side but we did deserve it today. Second half we got on top of them up front except for their try but we were missing Tanky (Chris Reekie) when they scored. Great result, we have to back it up at Morpeth next week”.

For Park, the new back row played really well, particularly out of position Paul Spowart who at times seemed to be everywhere on the pitch. Josh Cox and Ethan Wilson also impressed. Josh Hedley was on the pitch rather sooner than he may have anticipated but he made his presence felt and scored a great try in the second half. The Keswick stand off Kieran Mewse had a great game for the visitors and right wing Ryan Weir was always dangerous. they may come to regret passing up the chance to kick for goal on three occasions late in the game which may (or may not) have brought them victory but would surely have earned them a losing bonus point. We thank them for a great game and wish them well for the rest of the season. Our thanks also to referee Adam Morrison who had a great game. Keswick arrived minus a touch judge and our past president Barry Smith obliged, even managing to keep up with play at his advanced age!

The Lions were due to travel to Ryton but, due to the adverse weather, the game was called off. The weather also put paid to the Colts home fixture against Hartlepool on Sunday. The Panthers had a rest weekend. The 1^st XV travel to Morpeth this weekend for a league fixture, KO 2pm, with the Lions hosting Morpeth, KO 2pm. On Sunday, the Colts visit Blaydon, KO 1pm. Support for our teams would be most welcome.

Percy Park: 15 Tom Robinson; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Tom Bird; 10 George Chapman; 9 Andrew Walker; 8 Ethan Wilson; 7 Josh Cox; 6 Paul Spowart; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Sean Nairn; 3 Nick Macklin-Copeland; 2 Dan Shuttleworth; 1 Sam Digman

Replacements: Tristan Grant; Josh Hedley; Freddie Harra

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Saturday 8 November 2025

Aspatria 25 Percy Park 25

Regional 2 North

(HT: 18-10)

In an entertaining encounter In Cumbria, Percy Park overcame a fifteen-point deficit early in the second half to gain a very credible 25-25 draw at Aspatria with a team decimated by injury and unavailability. All of the ‘junior’ players drafted in to the team played extremely well and the team showed great character to achieve the result in the face of a very physical and determined Aspatria side, both teams scoring three tries.

The Park side had several changes from the team that defeated Upper Eden two weeks ago (last weekends scheduled cup game was cancelled) with the versatile Tom Robinson moving from scrumhalf to fullback in place of Dan Woodcock, Freddie Harra the replacement scrumhalf. In the forwards, Joe Ford replaced Dan Shuttleworth at hooker with Nick Macklin-Copeland coming in at tighthead prop to replace Sam Digman. On the replacements bench, Josh Cox joined Sean Nairn and Andrew Walker.

The home side kicked off on a bright, cold autumnal day with very little breeze. Both sides made their intentions clear from the start, a storming run from Park No 8 Keith Laughlin quickly followed by a long kick through from Aspatria wing Shane Cusack that was gratefully touched down in goal by the visiting fullback. The drop out kick allowed the big Aspatria pack to apply immediate pressure and they won a penalty on the Park 10 metre line (not rolling away) which standoff Jack Clegg kicked after three minutes (3-0).

A turnover in midfield allowed the home side to kick deep into the Park 22 and after Park conceded a five metre attacking scrum, Aspatria No 8 Matt Atkinson charged to the Park line but over enthusiasm at the ensuing ruck gave Park the penalty and they were able to clear their lines. Aspatria continued to exert pressure and scored from a scrum turnover. Quick hands enabled Atkinson made ground evading two tackles to give the scoring pass to Cusack who scored a good try in the right corner on eleven minutes. Clegg was unsuccessful with the difficult conversion (8-0).

From the restart, an excellent 50/22 kick from standoff George Chapman gave Park an attacking lineout but the resulting maul was stopped in its tracks by the big home forwards who gained the scrum. However, Aspatria made a hash of it enabling flanker Fraser McGlashan to pick up the loose ball and score an opportunist try. Chapman kicked the conversion on sixteen minutes (8-7).

A strong run from captain Howard Stock gained an attacking five metre lineout but the throw was wayward and the chance was lost. As the game entered the second quarter, Aspatria began to give away needless penalties and when they strayed offside midway in their own half, Chapman kicked the resulting penalty on twenty-five minutes to give the visitors the lead for the only time in the match (8-10). The lead lasted barely four minutes with Park repaying the compliment, straying offside on their own 22, Clegg restoring the lead for the home side (11-10).

With Park struggling to contain the big Aspatria forwards, things went from bad to worse just before the break with the home side scoring their second try and Park second row Chris Reekie given a yellow card by referee Martin Denvir. On thirty-five minutes, strong running from centre Ryan Scott and No 8 Atkinson breached the visiting defence, and quick hands from the breakdown had home second row Jude Wilkinson crash over for an excellent score. Clegg converted (18-10). From the restart, Reekie received a yellow card for a perceived dangerous tackle but Aspatria were unable to take advantage before the halftime whistle.

HT: Aspatria 18 Percy Park 10

Aspatria were on the attack immediately as the second half began, a storming run from rugby league convert Ryan Scott stretching the Park defence which was again breached on forty-six minutes. Park were penalised on their own 10 metre line after a deliberate knock on with the home side kicking deep into the Park 22. From the lineout, Aspatria scrumhalf Mark Watson was allowed to jink his way untouched to score to the right of the posts, Clegg converting (25-10).

With, seemingly, a mountain to climb the introduction of replacement scrumhalf Andrew Walker appeared to galvanise the visitors, the forwards slowly beginning to gain parity with the home eight and the backs resolutely defending in midfield. They were rewarded on fifty-eight minutes with a great try from skipper Howard Stock. The ball was turned over in midfield and an absolutely fantastic charge by replacement Josh Cox had the Aspatria defence at sixes and sevens. The ball was moved right at speed for the wing to score in the right corner. Chapman was unable to kick the difficult conversion (25-15).

From the restart, strong carries from centre Seb Reece and wing Tom Bird had Park back in the Aspatria 22 with the forwards getting the ball under the posts for Chris Reekie to go over on sixty-two minutes, Chapman converting (25-22).

Gaining possession from the restart, Walker kicked an excellent 50/22 only for, once again, the lineout to be lost but as the game entered the final ten minutes Park were exerting real pressure in search of the winning score. With just four minutes remaining, Aspatria were offside and with time running out Park elected to kick the goal, courtesy of Chapman, to ties the score (25-25). There was still time for last minute drama as Aspatria found the energy to mount one final attack, two quick penalties moving them into the Park 22 but in their eagerness, they infringed at the subsequent lineout with referee Denvir immediately ending the match.

FT: Aspatria 25 Percy Park 25

A hard physical encounter but one played in the right spirit. After conceding the early score in the second half, Park really dug in to dominate the remainder of the game and claw back the deficit. Captain Howard Stock was rightly proud of his players: “A very hard game as we knew it would be coming here but with so many injuries, the youngsters who came in played really, really well. We struggled in the first half with their physicality but I thought second half we matched them and we got our game going. With so many injuries, a draw is more than a good result. With a rest weekend coming up, hopefully we will have a few back for the home game with Keswick”.

For Park, both Andrew Walker and Josh Cox played really well when they came on as replacements and gave the side some real energy but everyone, at one time or another, put their hands up and contributed. The lineout continues to cause difficulties and too often needless penalties are conceded but the character that the team showed in getting back into the game was immense. For Aspatria, No 8 Matt Atkinson was outstanding and both centres caused problems with their strong running and there was some disappointment among the home faithful that they were unable to hold on to what was, early in the second half, a substantial lead. We thank them for a good game and their hospitality and look forward to welcoming them to Preston Avenue in the new year. We also thank referee Martin Denvir who also had a great game.

The draw means that Park slip to fifth in the league table behind Northern and Keswick, who both lost today, Sunderland and Morpeth who both won. Aspatria slip to tenth. In a congested table, only four points separate the fourth team Morpeth on 26 points and Upper Eden in seventh on 22 points.

The Lions lost at home to Novocastrians in a high scoring league game 29-36 but the Panthers won a tight game 7-8 at Gateshead in NC 3 North (North). The Colts had a rest weekend.

Next weekend the 1^st XV have a rest weekend, returning to league duty on Saturday 22 November when they host second place Keswick. The Lions are away to Alnwick next Saturday in Candy League 2 North, KO 2pm and the Colts host Barnard Castle in a league game on Sunday 16 November, KO 1pm. The Panthers have a rest weekend.

Percy Park: 15 Tom Robinson; 14 Howard Stock ©; 13 Seb Reece; 12 Fergus Simpson; 11 Tom Bird; 10 George Chapman; 9 Freddie Harra; 8 Keith Laughlin; 7 Seth Henderson; 6 Fraser McGlashan; 5 Chris Reekie; 4 Karl Thompson; 3 Nick Macklin-Copeland; 2 Joe Ford; 1 Tristan Grant

Replacements: Josh Cox; Andrew Walker; Sean Nairn

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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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