Sat 18 Nov 2023
WPRFC v Whitchurch
18th November 2023 – Park grind out a win at home
WPRFC 22 – 19 Whitchurch
This week Park welcomed Whitchurch to Stade de Burrows Hill for the first encounter of the season following their move to the Northwest league. The conditions were soft underfoot and the rain looked like holding off for the game. Park needed a good home win to take is into the break next week prior to the final couple of games before the Christmas break, one of which is away at Douglas IoM. We also welcomed Gary Dykes back from and injury, Bruce McGrogan into the front row and the return of Jack England.
Park kicked off and forced Whitchurch to clear their lines and immediately went on the attack and Benny Elliot kicked through and forced Whitchurch to clear to touch. Park kept on the early pressure with powerful carries which challenged Whitchurch and forced them to kick the ball out on the full but errors from Park stunted the attack and slowed the game down. Whitchurch got some momentum and got near the Park 22 but Charlie Hyde jackaled the ball and won the turnover penalty and Benny Elliot cleared our lines and pressured Whitchurch into another mistake. Park settled into their phase play with great ball retention and strong carries, and this paid off on 10 minutes off the back of a scrum with Dan Williams picking up and passing to Cameron Flanagan who passed to James Weeks on a great line who passed out to Nathan Taylor to score in the corner (5-0). Park were looking the stronger side at this point and kept the pressure on with strong carries from our pack who were definitely making ground and we kept Whitchurch in their own 22. On 16 minutes we had a scrum 5 metres out and with quick ball to Benny Elliot to Charlie Hyde who broke through the defence and off loaded to Bradley Marshall to power through and score our second try which was converted (12-0). On 22 minutes Whitchurch struck back with their first points of the game with a well worked try which came off the back of a scrum and quick ball by Whitchurch to the winger who showed his strength and scored an unconverted try (12-5). The next 10 minutes was a battle with both sides holding their ground but a few errors by Whitchurch stunted any attacking opportunities. On 34 minutes Benny Elliot kick a great long-range penalty to increase the lead (15-5). In the final minute of the first half, Park had an opportunity out wide on the left-hand side but the pass from Benny Elliot was intercepted by Whitchurch and they scored an easy converted try to close the gap (15-12). This was going to be a very close game and Park needed to dig deep in the second half to win this game.
Half time score 15 - 12
Whitchurch restarted the second half and both sides were looking to play rugby but unfortunately an injury to Bruce McGrogan forced us into changes and scrum was compromised. Whitchurch seized the opportunity and after a couple of scrum penalties against us, Whitchurch were awarded a penalty try on 46 minutes to take the lead (15-19) this also came with a yellow card for Jake Cornwell and forced us into uncontested scrums. The game was very much in the balance now and Park had to dig really deep for the remainder of the game if we were going to win this game. Park did work hard in all areas of the field but indiscipline gave away too many penalties and gave Whitchurch the opportunity to pin Park into our own half, but Park were defiant in defence and held Whitchurch to no further points in the second half. Park had multiple opportunities in the Whitchurch 22 but we just could not seem to get over that try line but on 65 minutes we had a scrum in the Whitchurch 22 and we continued to attack the line forcing Whitchurch into further penalties and Dan Williams picked up at the back of the scrum and offloaded in the tackle to Charlie Hyde who stepped inside and beat the defence to score our third try which was converted by Benny Elliot (22-19). The game was too close to call at this point, but Park worked hard in defence and attack to close the game out and produce a gritty win to maintain 8th place in the league and have our third win of the season so far.
This was definitely a tough win with solid performances throughout the team from Park to close this game out and look forward to a well-earned rest next week before the next away trip to Douglas IoM.
Final score WPRFC 22 – 19 Whitchurch
Team: Chris Twigg, James Weeks, Charlie Hyde, Bradley Marshall, Nathan Taylor, Benny Elliot, Cameron Flanagan, Dan Williams, Ben Lilley, Matt Treacy, Alex Grogan, Jarred Lange, Bruce McGrogan, Jake Cornwell, Evan Retief, Gary Dykes, Jack England and Dan Davenport
