Gracious in a very rare defeat, Park had to be content with two bonus points plus a resounding 80-7 win for their Lions second team against our Stags.

With five minutes left on the clock it had not looked like it would be our day. Jake Linighan had taken over liaison with referee Simon Williams, after skipper  Ryan Painter had received a  first half yellow for unwisely questioning some decisions. However, Jake also used some unwise words of his own after receiving a yellow card and the yellow became a red.

The visitors were leading 27-22 at the time, and used Linighan's absence to kick to the corner and go over from the catch and drive which served both teams so well during the afternoon.

At 35-22 down, and one or two already heading for an early drink, it looked like the game was over. However, those who stayed out in the cold were in for a treat as we looked for at least one score which would give us two bonus points.

Fly half Matt Siddle, who had an excellent game on his return from Essex, duly delivered the fourth try as the backs patiently created a  hole in the Park defence. The conversion from Heron duly delivered what would have added a losing bonus point, and with 14 men on the pitch that wouldn't have been a bad return.

However, that wasn't good enough for the 14 and Ollie Connolly, in particular. The pressure on the Park line was applied once again resulting in  Park second row Michael Langlands yellow carded for not rolling away and full back Paul Spowart following him for slapping the ball down. We had one last chance to seize the game. Ollie received some ten metres out jinked inside the first tackler and somehow forced his way over with three desperate Park defenders hanging on to him. 

Heron's pressure kick was on the money. It was the last action of a hard fought game where our success was based on superb tackling against Park's lively runners and desire to play at pace right across the pitch. The backs' defence was excellent, as was the work rate from the pack with youngsters Adam Hutchinson and Tom Robertson becoming more influential with every game.

The game started tamely enough with both sides exchanging penalties beforre the first catch and drive try of the afternoon. Scott Butcher, continuing his excellent form,  was the man to touch down with Heron converting from wide on the right.

We had a golden opportunity to increase the lead with Owen Westhorp at the end of a healthy overlap, unfortunately the pass was low and he was unable to gather.

Park reduced the arrears with another penalty before taking the lead on 25 minutes - a catch and drive  would you believe.

They tried the same tactic again from the penalty which led to Painter's yellow card, this time their drive was repelled and we were able to clear.

Sam Heron stepped up from full back to deputise for Painter with great effect. He opted for a quick  tap and go instead of taking a shot at the posts from a penalty award 15 meters out. Park's retreating defenders wisely avoided laying a hand on him, as he weaved his way through the first ten metres, and was then unstoppable as he dived over to give us a 17-13 lead at the break.

The lead was increased by that man Butcher again shortly after the restart from the ubiquitous catch and drive. This time Sam was wide with his conversion. Park had brought on Josh Hedley to add height and weight to their pack but he lasted only a minute or two before being yellow carded and giving us the opportunity for the kick to the corner.

The same fate was to befall replacement  Alex Barker when he came on after 60 minutes. By this time we'd had another catch and drive success. It was Park's turn to score and  gave them a five point lead. That was stretched to eight points with a penalty after Heron's over excitement led him to try another tap and go. However, this one was in his own 22 and although he made some ground we were penalised as he was tackled. 

Eight minutes to go and eight points behind we were up against it. Even more so when Linighan was red carded. Cue those last dramatic last few minutes which saw three tries and that tremendous win.

It moved us up to fifth with three away games to come. If we keep the momentum of this game we surely must break our away duck and stay in touch wth the leading pack.

West: Sam Heron, Owen Westhorp, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Max Tennant, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Adam Hutchinson, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Brown, Jake Linighan, Tom Robertson, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins, Scott Butcher.

Reps used: Adam Coates, Alex Barker. Not used: Stu Waites.

Tries: Butcher (2), Heron, Siddle, Connolly.

Cons: Heron (4)

Pens: Heron (1)

Yellow: Painter, Barker. Red: Linighan.

Percy Park: Paul Spowart, Stephen Turner, Howard Stock (capt), Tom Moore, Andrew Walker, Ash Smith, Joey Cassidy, Matt Atkinson, Adam Hay, Marc Cook, Michael Langlands, Karl Thompson, Andy Dunn, Jake Smith, Leo Caulfield.

Reps : Jonny Dubois, Sam  Digman, Josh Hedley.

Yellow: Hedley, Langland, Spowart.

Referee: Simon Williams (Durham Society)