Sat 9 Sep 2023
WPRFC v Firwood Waterloo
9th September 2023 – Defeat at first home game of the season
WPRFC 27 – 36 Firwood Waterloo
This week Park welcomed Firwood Waterloo (FW) to Stade de Burrows Hill on a very hot September afternoon and were looking for our first win of the season so far. Park started with a couple of new faces in debutants Alex De Keyzer, James Weeks and Luke Westgate under the captaincy of James Johnson.
From the whistle both teams wanted to play rugby and showed their intentions early on with quick ball and some strong running lines but indiscipline at the ruck on 7 minutes sent the FW centre to the bin. FW were the first on the scoreboard with a penalty on the 10-metre line for Park holding on at the breakdown on 9 minutes (0-3). Park struck on 11 minutes when captain James Johnson took a quick penalty in the FW 22 and powered over with Benny Elliot adding the extras (7-3). At the restart FW pressured the Park defence and were 5 metres and looked to be on the front foot but a great spot by James Weeks saw him intercept the pass and ran 60 metres before off loading to supporting runner Tom Merrick who took the ball into contact, FW almost turned the ball over but indiscipline again at the breakdown gave Park a penalty 30 metres out and Charlie Hyde took a quick tap and kicked through and chased through to pick up and score another solo effort (12-3).
The next 10 minutes were a cagey affair with both side working hard in defence and attack in the extreme heat and Park really challenged the FW line but could not quite convert to points. The referee called for a water break on 20 minutes which was much needed in the conditions. At the restart FW picked up the pace and a great beak by their centre was looking like a certain try but the final pass did not go to hand and was knocked on. On 24 minutes FW were caught again for indiscipline at the breakdown just inside their own half and Benny Elliot elected to kick the penalty and successfully kicked the points (15-3). The last points of the first half went to FW with a counter attack from a Park clearance and a few missed tackles allowed FW to close the gap with a converted try (15-10).
Half time score 15 - 10
From the restart, FW kicked long and Park cleared their lines with a kick to touch but the FW lineout went awry and was picked up by Park and on second phase ball Benny Elliot chipped over the FW back line and with two kicks forward by Charlie Hyde, Benny Elliot won the foot race and scored a great try with 42 minutes on the clock and converted the kick to extend the Park lead (22-10). The game was leaning toward Park at this point, but we did put ourselves under pressure with mistakes in our own half and FW pressured us on our own line, but our defence stood firm. On 50 minutes Park had a scrum just inside the FW 10 metre line which was won, and Cameron Flanagan showed a bit of magic with a pick up from the scrum going on the short side and chipping over the defence and collecting his kick to score a great solo try which was unconverted (27-10). FW worked hard following the restart but squandered another chance on 14 minutes which allowed Park to clear their lines. Unfortunately, some indiscipline from the home side saw a penalty and then a further 10 metres for back chat and a couple of minutes later a yellow card for a high tackle by Jake Cornwell. During this period, we also lost Dan Williams to injury.
FW capitalised on this indiscipline in our own 22 and scored a converted try from close range to take them within 10 points (27-17). With 14 men on the field and the heat, Park struggled to compete, and a combination of the penalty count and the one-man disadvantage took its toll and FW scored an unconverted in the corner on 64 minutes to close the gap (27-22). Park really had work to do now but FW continued to pressure Park with strong defence and attack, and we continued to give away field position with indiscipline. On 70 minutes FW struck again and scored a converted try from close range to take the lead after being behind for 60 minutes (27-29). With only 10 minutes to go to full time, Park held their own but could not convert into points, but FW continued to pressurise Park and sealed the win on 38 minutes with a converted try (27-36).
A difficult day in the conditions and probably another game that we should have won but certainly some positives to take forward to Burnage next week.
Final score WPRFC 27 – 36 Firwood Waterloo
Team: James Weeks, Roan Cornwell, Charlie Hyde, Tom Merrick, Alex De Keyzer, Benny Elliot, Cameron Flanagan, Tom King, Jake Cornwell, Daniel Gregory, Frank Gibbons, Gary Dykes, Dan Williams, Ben Thorn, James Johnson (Captain) Bruce McGrogan, Kieran Taylor and Luke Westgate
