Well Sports Fans welcome to the new 2018 to 19 rugby season. Following tradition Percy Park played their first ‘warm up’ game against our cousins ‘across the water’ resident at South Shields Westoe RFC.
The game was split into quarters that allowed new coach Lawrence Patton ‘a look’ at his squad of players before the season really kicks off in anger. In a lively contest, which on occasion nearly boiled over, saw a few players stick their head above the parapet with performances that caught the eye. Dan Ward at prop and Andrew Walker at fly half certainly did well. Hopefully we will see more of them as the season progresses.
Although the score was largely irrelevant the Westoe centre certainly ramped up the heat with some late hits which went unpunished .There was a lot going on off the ball and unfortunately Percy Park were the side that picked up the yellow cards. That may or may not be a reason for our poor ball retention in this contest yet Indiscipline and losing possession in the contact did cost the ‘Black and Whites’ points last year and we all know how that panned out. Therefore it’s probably best that our new coach witnesses at first hand two areas that he will need to improve on if we are to challenge the top of North One East this coming season.
Next up is a home friendly with Old Brodlians…..’Come on Park!!’