Sat 23 Mar 2024
WPRFC v Douglas
23rd March 2024 – Park score 6 to win at home
WPRFC 43 – 23 Douglas IoM
This week Park welcomed Douglas IoM to Stade de Burrows Hill who are sitting a couple of positions above us in the league, and we needed a win following the disappointing game last week. The conditions were windy and dry following some rain in the morning, and it was all set up for a great game of rugby in front of a good home crowd and a debut for Charlie Dexter and a return for Shaun Underdown.
Douglas kicked off and within a few minutes Park were caught off side and gave Douglas the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty, fortunately the kick was missed. Park worked hard in the early exchanges with Charlie Hyde breaking through tackles to make good yards and backed up with strong carries from our forward pack. On 6 minutes it was Douglas who were also caught off side in their own 22 and Benny Elliot opened up the scoreboard from the tee (3-0). The scores were levelled 3 minutes later when Park were penalised at the breakdown and Douglas took the points from the penalty (3-3). Park regrouped and set about the job in hand and with some powerful carries by Dan Williams and Ross Morrin we got into a decent position and Jack Williams recycled the ball quickly to Cameron Flanagan who passed to Joe Hickey who off loaded to Jake Cornwell and on to Benny Elliot who stepped inside and scored under the posts for our first try which he also converted (10-3). A few minutes later Park indiscipline gave Douglas another opportunity from the tee which they converted to close the gap (10-6). The game was still very cagey at this point, but Park looked the better side with their phase play and Jack Williams saw a gap at the breakdown and made 30 yards before being tackled but the pass off the floor went to a Douglas hand. Douglas indiscipline was losing them territory and Park capitalised on this following a lineout just out side the Douglas 22 which was won cleanly, and a maul set up which drove us into the 22 but unfortunately the ball was turned over. Park continued to pin Douglas back and on 30 minutes Park won a lineout and set up a driving maul which to 6 metres from the line and with penalty coming and a free play the ball was passed out through the hands out to Charlie Dexter on the wing to score a great Park try on his debut which was converted by Benny Elliot (17-6). Park were now in control of the game and looked like a different team from last week with great runs from Cameron Flanagan and Charlie Dexter to come close to scoring but putting Park in a good position on the field. Park worked through the phases and got their reward again on 30 minutes with a try from Lewis Pickering following another strong carry from Dan Williams breaking the gain line and getting tackled short of the line, but the ball was quickly recycled and excellent passing through the backs to score in the corner which Benny Elliot converted (24-6). Douglas scored their first try just on half time with great try from the half way line with the centre cutting through the Park defensive line to score in the corner (24-11).
Half time score 24 - 11
With second half underway Park continued to work hard and slow down and disrupt any Douglas attack and punish their indiscipline by winning territory and possession. On 46 minutes Ross Morrin won a penalty on the half way line with a great jackal and Benny Elliot kicked us into the 22, and the lineout was won, and a driving maul set up, but Douglas were penalised for taking the maul down and Benny Elliot kicked for the corner. Park went through the phases but unfortunately knocked the ball on and gave Douglas the opportunity to clear their lines. On 56 minutes Park were in the Douglas 22 and following a great carry by Shaun Underdown who was stopped just short of the line the ball was quickly recycled and Dan Williams was at hand to take a short pass and he was not going to be stopped from there to score our bonus point try with Benny Elliot adding the extras (31-11). On 60 minutes Douglas had an attacking opportunity and chipped the ball over but into the hands of Dan Williams between our 22 and 10 metre line who stepped the Douglas defence and ran down the left edge of the field and got into the Douglas 22 and passed to supporting runner Charlie Hyde to score a great try with Benny Elliot adding the conversion (38-11). Park continued to play great rugby, but Douglas had their own chances but could not quite get over the try line. On 67 minutes Douglas had a good attacking opportunity in our 22 but they tried to force the last pass which Benny Elliot read beautifully and intercepted the pass and ran 80 metres to score our sixth try in the corner to seal the fate of Douglas (43-11) but Douglas had other plans and continued to battle and they got some traction in the last 10 minutes of the game by scoring two quick tries to finish the game strongly (43-23).
In summary Park really stepped up their performance from last week and the hard work in the week paid off with a well earnt win which was very much needed. This was a real team effort and all players put on a great performance for the home crowd to earn a well-deserved win.
Final score WPRFC 43 – 23 Douglas IoM
Team: Chris Twigg, Charlie Hyde, Cameron Flanagan, Lewis Pickering, Charlie Dexter, Benny Elliot, Jack Williams, Dan Williams, Matt Treacy, Gary Dykes, Joe Hickey, Ben Cann, Ross Morrin, Jake Cornwell, Bruce McGrogan, Frank Gibbons, Tom King and Shaun Underdown
