Sat 17 Feb 2024
Vale of Lune v WPRFC
17th February 2024 – Park lose out to Vale of Lune away
Vale of Lune 39 - 10 WPRFC
This week Park travelled to Vale of Lune (VoL) for the second encounter of the season, with VoL currently sixth in the table and three places ahead of Park we were looking to build on the home win against them in November. The conditions were very soft underfoot and with rain promised during the game it was going to be a tough afternoon. With a few injuries it was a reshuffled side with Richard Hart returning from injury in his second game for the club.
With the game underway, Park started well and VoL indiscipline for a high tackle on the halfway line gave us an opportunity for territory and we worked hard from the lineout with strong carries and good ball retention but the final attack by Roan Cornwell was tackled into touch 5 metres out. VoL over threw the lineout but managed to regather the ball and clear their line but Park continued to attack VoL with a strong carry from Joe Hickey and then a great line from Tom King who spun through the first tackle and looked likely to score but again indiscipline by VoL with another high tackle gave Benny Elliot and easy 3-point penalty (0-3). From the restart, Park again attacked VoL with good phases of play and ball retention and on 7 minutes a neat chip over by Benny Elliot who ran through and regathered his own kick and nearly made it to the line but passed to supporting runner Tom King who scored a well worked converted try (0-10). A knock on from VoL from the restart gave Park a scrum on our 22 and again Benny Elliot took ball from Richard Hart and chipped over and regathered the ball and ran through to the VoL 22 but was chased down by the winger and before being tackled the pass was into the hands of a VoL player who cleared the ball to touch. Park were definitely on top at the moment and had the majority of possession and not allowing VoL to play but on 16 minutes with VoL attacking our 22, we gave away a penalty for offside and VoL opted to kick the 3 points (3-10). Park were still in control of the game but on 23 minutes a penalty at the maul from a lineout was taken quickly by VoL and Tom King tackled the player before retreating 10 metres and was shown the yellow card, this forced Park to bring on Bruce McGrogan and take off Roan Cornwell as VoL opted for the scrum. VoL seemed to get the bit between their teeth at this point and attacked Park and were given a penalty on 26 minutes for Park being offside which VoL kicked to close the gap (6-10). Park worked hard in defence and attack, but VoL defended well, and Park could not quite get over the try line and with rain starting the handling errors were creeping in. On 36 minutes VoL scored their first converted try to take the lead with quick ball out to the winger who stepped inside and put the supporting runner in for a try (13-10) which was probably against the run of play so far. VoL were in again just before half time with a neat play from a Park handling just outside the VoL 22 with quick hands through the backs to the full back who raced through to score (20-10).
Half time score 20 - 10
With conditions worsening the second half got underway and VoL seemed to be getting more ball and deployed more of their kicking game to pin Park back into our own half. The game in the conditions was getting a bit scrappy in places but VoL were definitely in the ascendency and on 48 minutes a cross field kick by VoL was taken cleanly by the full back who threw an inside pass to a supporting runner to score their third converted try (27-10). The conditions were definitely affecting the game and both sides were suffering with ball retention and an injury on 60 minutes caused a break in play which did affect continuity in the game. Park picked the pace at this point and had some great possession and territory but just could not get over that try line which was due to VoL defending well but also their indiscipline in their 22 was giving Park opportunity to attack but small handling errors were affecting our ability to get over the line. VoL indiscipline on 65 minutes for another high tackle put them down to 14 players for 10 minutes after a great run by Benny Elliot but unfortunately, we did not capitalise on this advantage. VoL definitely finished the stronger team in the conditions, and they scored their bonus point try on 75 minutes with easy pick up at the ruck and scored a converted try (34-10). Just before the final whistle VoL were in again for their final try from a mistake by Park when a chip over was cleanly taken by VoL who passed to the winger who offloaded in the tackle for a clear run in in the corner (39-10).
This was definitely a tough day for Park who started strongly and did produce some good rugby, but it was not quite enough on the day against a good team at home.
Final score Vale of Lune 39 - 10 WPRFC
Team: Chris Twigg, Roan Cornwell, Dan Williams, Lewis Pickering, James Weeks, Benny Elliot, Richard Hart, Evan Retief, Matt Treacy (captain), Gary Dykes, Jarred Lange, Joe Hickey, Ross Morrin, Jake Cornwell, Tom King, Brue McGrogan, Ryan Gibson and Ben Cann
