Not such a happy result at The Arena where a Mowden Park second XV, bolstered by some formidable Army lads, lost their opening CaNDY One game 74-14.

Back at Brinkburn,  Percy Park arrived still smarting from their last minute relegation from Regional One last season and ,with a boom-box on the pitch adding extra motivation during their warm-up, they looked more than up for a quick return.

However, it took until the quarter hour before the first score  - a penalty in front of the posts for a high tackle which centre Paul Spowart duly despatched.

Last season West opted for kicks to the corner instead of penalty shots at goal, with the result that only five penalties were scored in 22 games. This time new fly-half Jobe Roxby slotted three in the first half alone to keep his side in the game.

The first equalized the scores at 3-3,  and the second brought the score to 6-10 after Park skipperSeb  Reece had finished smartly under the posts for the first try of the afternoon.

The third brought West within one point of the visitors who were still looking threatening. Only a try saving tackle from winger Sam Knight had stopped a certain try in the corner,  with Nick Bennions on hand to collect near his line and force his way to safety on the 22.

Park were not to be denied. They increased their lead right on half time with prop Michael Birkett given a clear run in under the posts from ten metres after Sam Knight had been sin-binned for a high tackle.

Despite being temporarily down to 14, West turned round eager to overturn the  eight point deficit only to gift Park their third try with some sloppy play. A home  attack was turned over on the Park 22 ,  and it was the visitors who won the kick chase with full back George Chapman touching down  and Spowart adding the extras.

West’s scrum had been dominant but, despite the Park eight going backwards,  the home pack was penalised several times. Park taking advantage to get their bonus point try with a quick tap seeing full-back Chapman going in beside the posts.

It looked like game-over from West  only for  four tries in the last half-hour to turn the game on its head.

Park went down to 14 as a deliberate knock on by Ollie Bartles-Smith thwarted a West attack up the right wing. It wasn’t close enough  to the line for a penalty try to be awarded, but from the resulting scrum skipper Chris Atkins forced his way over for his side’s first try of  the afternoon after 60 minutes.

 Roxby added the extras . However, he didn’t need to be called into action two minutes later as West again attacked with the dynamic  Aidan Jackson-Smith stopped with a high tackle as he went for the line. Penalty try and back row Karl Thompson also off to the bin.

A resurgent West continued to press and this time there was no stopping Jackson-Smith as  the forwards had Park defending desperately on their line. Roxby again on target

Into the final ten minutes and now just three points behind West were roared on by the clubhouse terrace. It needed a home hero and replacement prop Adam Hutchinson took that honour. He received some ten metres out after both Jake Linghan and Alex Barker had made forays into  the Park 22. Hutch was able to sidestep  one challenge to force his way over the line despite the effort of two defenders( left)

With Roxby limping after injuring himself jumping to celebrate  the West try, it fell to Matt Siddle to complete the scoring  - despite a desperate rally from a shell-shocked Park in the closing minutes.

Park will be reflecting on why they weren’t able to close the game out after going into that big lead. West will be looking to continue that tremendous team spirit  next week as they travel to Northern - another much fancied side and one which went to Consett on the opening day and won 20-64.

West: Ben Reed, Sam Knight, Ollie Connolly, Peter Youll, Jacob Wood, Jobe Roxby,  Matt Siddle, Jack Angus, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Andrew Rollins, Jake Linighan,, Nick Bennions, Alex Barker, Charlie Kay, Chris Atkins (capt).

Reps (all used): Lewis Scott , Adam Hutchinson, Ryan O’Keefe.

Tries: Atkins, Jackson-Smith, Hutchinson, penalty try.

Cons: Roxby (2), Siddle.

Pens: Roxby (3)

Yellow: Knight.

Percy Park: George Chapman, Jacob German, Seb Reece (capt), Paul Spowart, Ollie Bartles-Smith, Ash Smith, Andrew Walker, Tristan Grant, Dan Shuttleworth, Michael Birkett, Chris Reekie, Sean Nairn, Karl Thompson, Leo Caulfield, Matthew French.

Reps (all used): Joe Ford, Niall Combe, Oliver Snary.

Tries:  Reece, Chapman (2), Birkett.

Cons: Spowart (4)

Pen: Spowart

Yellow: Thompson, Bartles-Smith.

Referee: Andy Flisher (Durham).