Early to warm up is not a practice often undertaken by to Ponteland U12 but my word they were prompt and lively this morning. Coach Mike had them a-jinking and a-jumping, focussing the mind and swelling of the heart well before the meeting time. TonyH too with his Percy Park squad were early and lined up, running plays getting the black and whites ready to take to the task.
All set, the referee motioned for both team captains to assemble. Introductions were most civil.
Rock-paper-scissors was entered into in the spirit of rugby union with a deft scissors from Park slicing through Ponteland`s paper gave them the choice. Park chose to kick.

All went quiet, birds paused in the trees to watch, aeroplanes circling Newcastle Airport were asked to stay at current altitude a little longer when `thunk`, the ball was aloft and the first game of two was in play.

First Game

Ponteland caught well and came forward to meet Park`s prompt defence.
Ruck and run seemed order of the early exchanges with Ponteland being caught and going through phases, discipline however `a little tatty` as an older coach may say.
That tattiness let Park into the offence and the first half set out as men over the gain line and respecting the back foot.
The breakthrough came for Pont after jostling Joe Brady jostled the ball free during a tackle and dazzling Dan Kelly drove over with sizzling Sam Stephens shoving and a-pushing at the ruck. Whipped along the line, the ball found itself in the trusty possession of the dynamic Danny-boy Galbraith, whose new found confidence is inspiring all in the squad. A jink, a link and finally a rinky-dink-dink had him over for the try.
1 – 0 Pont.

Park elected to receive and took the ball well. Another spell of rucking and running ran rampant with both teams in fine sprit and admirable attitude.
Ponteland`s second try came through good loose play with rocklike Rios Hare grinding the ball from the ruck and Magical Matty-Hatty Baron sending the ball to wing.
A catch with `hands of Velcro` from Whippet Connor Williams saw him kick in the afterburner, whoosh ! `Achilles away` - ball grounded.
2 - 0 Pont.

A rapid repeat of remarkable de-ja-vu was then played out. Another dig in ruck by the gallant Joe Greenwell partnered by the terrier-like Thomas Beckwith triumphed in turn over ball.
JoeB at 10, a dart, a run and a pass had the ball in Dan`s hands again, a fine corner run and try. Connor not to be undone repeated his Usain Bolt impression to go over for another.
4 - 0 Pont

The game seemed then to swing back to forward play and ruck, maul and repeat ensued until a breakthrough by the hounding, herding, shepherding Harvey Robson had him over for two tries in quick succession.
6 – 0 at half time.

The second half saw some inspired play from Park.
Excellent effort with excellent values saw them push and play to the Ponteland line more than once in the early exchanges, only to be thwarted by good defence, specifically by natural Nathan Anderson and JoeB.
Park plugged passionately away and Ponteland parried and prevented.
The referee had nought to complain about and was heard later to show his admiration for the contest.
`I have admiration for the contest` he said.

Again as if BBC repeats were order of the day, Harvey powered over for a couple of more tries which showed both individual technique and good support from his forward team mates.
8 – 0 was the final score for game 1.

Spring calm befell the sporting arena, teams migrated to coaches to huddle and discuss.
Parents turned inwards to discuss Saturdays` England game and other events and the warming coffee table was doing roaring trade, Sharon seen whisking away for more milk was reported to have asked for patience, `this isn’t Costa` she called.
`Not yet` was echoed by the Ponteland massive as the Percy Park folks indulged in the instant coffee and steamy tea. A biscuit frenzy ran parallel to the slurps.

A moment`s reflection, a Referee handover, teams arranged and the second game bursts forth.

Second Game

Legs to the field, some of them fresh, some of them used, took to the contest with relish.
An early attack by the Ponteland forwards was repulsed by the resilient Park. Again Ponteland came. Marvellous McKenzie Cooper linked valiantly with new-fellows Callum Lamb and Josh Thingummybob
to create space for the first try. Drawing men left and presenting well allowed Big Ben Conroy one of his ranging runs, going over for a try in the far corner.
1 – 0 Pont.

It was near the end of the first half of the second game we saw the mettle of two fine players wearing the Ponteland maroon. Firstly we saw the digging, ferreting, passing Jackal that is Jack Maskey. Constantly in the thick of it, popping passes like precision popcorn. Barnstorming Brady receives, turn of speed and timed offload to the running maestro that Nathan Anderson is becoming.
A well timed run, off both the left foot then right, scraping by tackle after tackle he got close. Acknowledging the tackle enveloping him will be made, he off loaded to the supporting cheetah that is Danny-boy G who goes over for his third try of the day.
2 – 0 Pont.

It is the measure of players of rugby union that when times are tough, they stand.
Percy Park stood and came back again.
Some well delivered passing play and improving ruck gave confidence and they remained diligent and hard working. Ponteland pressure bore again though and a spilled ball was scooped. Quick hands to the wing where the tenacious & gracious Jackson Banks took ball at speed to score in the corner.
3 – 0 Pont.

Half time called, water taken in abundance, players swapped and positions settled.
A moment`s pause and the spring morning breaks into voice.
The game is on again.

There comes a game in a young man`s life where things just flow well.
Nathan was, for the rest of that morning, that young man. Through dedication of his forwards, who all played for team and not for glory, combined with half back flair resulted in an excellent run and try, cutting in from the wing at just the right time to thwart the courageous Park cover.
Another try from Nathan followed soon after, a more individual try from a spill. Collected just in the Ponteland half, cut through the merest gap to break into clear field and run to the line.

And when the sun doth shine, it doth shine. Buoyed by weather, teammates and March sunshine, Nathan completed his hat trick to much applause and slapping of backs. (not `the backs` you understand, just backs)
6 – 0 Pont – Full time

Tunnel formed for the second time that day. Cheers and respect exchanged.
A firm, hard, tough exchange was seen, without a single piece of dangerous or un-sportsmanlike behaviour, a credit to rugby union and both clubs.
Percy Park have always been welcome at Ponteland RFC and will be even more so after today`s game.

Nathan Anderson’s display earned him the Ponteland RFC man of the match trophy and a spontaneous round of applause from his teammates.
This brought a smile to his face as he was presented with the trophy by Coach Peter Galbraith.