Sat 16 Dec 2023
WPRFC v Burnage
16th December 2023 – Park in hard fought home win
WPRFC 28 – 25 Burnage
This week Park welcomed Burnage to Stade de Burrows Hills on a dry and bright winters afternoon for the return fixture following the loss away in September. With Burnage 5th in the league and Park four positions below, it was going to be a tough encounter if Park were going to overturn the previous defeat.
Burnage kicked off and immediately got a penalty for Park holding on at the ruck and kicked for the corner, the lineout was won by Burnage, and they launched an attack, but Park worked hard in defence and won a penalty at the ruck which allowed Park to clear their lines. Park launched their own attack from the lineout and were making good yards through the Burnage defence, but a loose pass was picked up by Burnage and they attacked the Park defence. Park again worked hard in defence and got a penalty at the ruck and Charlie Hyde took it quickly and got to the Burnage 22, but Burnage won the penalty at the ruck for holding on. Burnage kicked for territory and had a lineout on the half way line and a nice run by their scrum half got them to the Park 22 and a few phases later scored an unconverted try on 5 minutes (0-5). The game was being played at a sometimes-frantic pace with both sides having equal opportunities to attack but the Park defence held strong and did not let Burnage take advantage of any possession. On 20 minutes Park made a great break through Tom King and linking up with Ross Morrin but the referee was playing advantage and brought them back for a penalty just outside the Burnage 22, Park kicked for the corner and used the driving maul but were held up over the line. Park got their reward on 24 minutes following some great phase play into the Burnage half and a neat kick through from Benny Elliot gave Nathan Taylor the scoring opportunity to level up the scores (5-5). Park kept the pressure on Burnage and were getting good territory and possession and forced Burnage to make mistakes and on 30 minutes a charge down by Frank Gibbons forced Burnage to kick the ball out in the goal line area and gave Park the scrum 5 metres out, the scrum was won and Harley Aston went blind and passed to Charlie Hyde who powered over to score a converted try (12-5). The last points of the first half came from the boot of Burnage on 37 minutes to close the gap on the scoreboard (12-8).
Half time score 12 - 8
The second half was a similar game with both sides working hard in defence and attack and was always going to be a close game. Park restarted the second half and continued the pressure but on 43 minutes Burnage scored their second try to take the lead when their fly half ran straight through our defensive line and passed to a supporting runner to score under the posts (12-15). From the restart Park won the ball through Mike Gough and Evan Retief made good yards with quick pick up and linking with Harley Aston into the Burnage 22, the ball was recycled quickly and a long pass from Benny Elliot to Charlie Hyde who kicked through and scored a great try to take the lead (19-15). Park kept the pressure on and had good territory and possession and forced Burnage into errors and a penalty for off side on 49 minutes gave Park an easy 3 points from the boot of Benny Elliot (22-15). Burnage seemed to step up their game and attacked Park, but the defence stayed strong but an error by Park on 55 minutes near the half way line gave Burnage a small opportunity when Burnage ripped the ball in the tackle and ran 40 metres to score and close the gap on the scoreboard (22-20). Park had the opportunity on 60 minutes to go ahead from a penalty, but the kick went wide of the posts, and this was going to be a very tense finish. Park kept their shape and attacked Burnage but could not quite get through as Burnage defended well but Park continued to pressure Burnage with both possession and territory with strong carries by the pack to put us on the front foot and on 70 minutes Park were in the Burnage 22 and Benny Elliot stepped back and slotted over a drop goal to extend the lead (25-20). Burnage did not let up in their attack and on 76 minutes their pressure paid off and scored their bonus point fourth try after continued pressure in the Park 22, unfortunately the conversion was pushed wide of the posts, but the scores were level (25-25). This was going to be a very tense last few minutes. Park knew what they needed to do and Jarred Lange stepped up with a great 20 metre carry into the Burnage 22 and Park continued to attack the Burnage line and Burnage made the mistake of being offside and gave Park the opportunity of a penalty on the last play and Benny Elliot stepped up and slotted the penalty to take the win (28-25).
On reflection this was a hard-fought win and showed the heart of the team who gave their all in tough contest and a well-earned win with great performances across the team to earn a well-deserved four points and a move up to 8th in the league.
Final score WPRFC 28 – 25 Burnage
Team: Chris Twigg, Liam Geary, Charlie Hyde, Cameron Flanagan, Nathan Taylor, Benny Elliot, Harley Aston, Tom King, Jake Cornwell, Ross Morrin, Jarred Lange, Frank Gibbons, Evan Retief, Mike Gough, Dan Williams, Gary Dykes, Sam Blears and Alex Glendinning
