Percy Park Preview

By Dave Picken - February 18 2011
Percy Park Preview
leading try scorer
The first team will be unchanged as we take on title rivals Percy Park at Brinkburn    - kick off 2.15. It's a game being billed as the title decider, but with a third of the season  to go there will still be plenty of points for both sides to go for after this encounter  ....

On paper it's a game which promises plenty - both sides come into it on long unbeaten runs and both like to play open running rugby. Sadly, the forecast is for heavy rain and strong winds.

There's also the factor of that controversial last gasp winner at Park. It still rankles with the West forwards who feel they had try scorer Andrew Dunn in touch, but the fact is the try was awarded and we'd blown enough chances, specially in the first half, not to have been susceptible to a sucker punch.

The same almost happened last week. After coasting to a 22-0 half time lead at Driffield we let them back in and were pleased to hear the final whistle.

However, we have proved we can get our heads down and produce the the type of disciplined performances which won the games at Team Northumbria and Old Crossleyans. The same may be needed against Park.

Our visitors welcome back former West favourites James Ponton and second row Craig Fidler. Player coach Ponton has been injured, while line-out expert Fidler has been working in Kazakhstan. They will be without former Falcons back row Brett Sylph who broke his hand in the win at Carlisle.

In the backs skipper Jon Scott is a dangerous scrum half and he's ably supported by the experienced Martin Shaw at 10.

With Adam Howard off to play rugby league with York Knights club captain Andrew Dixon is back on the bench alongside Paul Moss. Darren Thomas was selected for the bench last week, but a problem with a burst water pipe involving our club fixtures secretary meant he missed the bus!  Dash is back on the bench tomorrow  - subject to no more emergencies.

Stephen Stockdale continues at No 8. He he has quietly sneaked up to become our leading points scorer by overtaking  the now departed Scott Jordan.

West: 15 Colin Cheslin, 14 Adam Larkin, 13 Luke Watson, 12 Gavin Robinson , 11 Andrew Cheslin, 10 Gareth Foreman, 9 Andrew Foreman, 1 Anth Carr, 2 Liam Bailey, 3 Adam Coates, 4 Tom Dixon, 5 Andrew Davies, 6 Dan Boatman, 7 Jon Boatman [c], 8 Stephen Stockdale,  Reps: Paul Moss, Andrew Dixon, Darren Thomas.

Percy Park: 15  Ashley Smith, 14  Ali Blair, 13 Craig Firth, 12 David Griffiths,11 Howard Stock, 10  Martin Shaw,  9  Jon Scott (c), 1 Joe Wafer, 2 Andrew Dunn, 3  George Purdy, 4  Craig Fidler, 5  Michael Langlands, 6   Sean Williamson,  7 Anthony Dunn, 8  James Ponton. 16 Alan Blakey, 17 Mike Baker. 18 Adam Fidler.

 
Percy Park Preview
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 18/02/2011 10:23


Re: Percy Park Preview
Posted by: West Park Allotment (IP Logged)
Date: 18/02/2011 10:58

Good luck lads.

Re: Percy Park Preview
Posted by: MikeyBoy (IP Logged)
Date: 18/02/2011 14:42

looking forward to this

Re: Percy Park Preview
Posted by: exiled west (IP Logged)
Date: 18/02/2011 19:39

good luck to all our teams if possible can we have a half time update as per last week for us exiles

Re: Percy Park Preview
Posted by: Captain Crash (IP Logged)
Date: 18/02/2011 23:12

Good luck and fingers crossed the weather forecast I have just seen is wide of the mark!!!

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