Sat 6 Apr 2024
WPRFC v Altrincham Kersal
6th April 2024 – Park round off season with a superb win at home
WPRFC 40 – 19 Altrincham Kersal (AK)
As the league season comes to a close, this week Park welcomed Altrincham Kersal (AK) to Stade de Burrows Hill for the last game of the season and we needed a win to secure our position in the league for next season. This was the return fixture from a 38-38 draw in the first game of the season back in September and a win would mean maintaining our position in the league and finishing the league season on a high. This was set up to be a nail-biting finish! The conditions were very windy but dry following some rain overnight, and it was all set up for a great game of rugby in front of a great home crowd and a farewell to our South African lock Jarred Lange who has been a great asset to the team and club.
Park got the game underway, and AK used the wind to pin us down into our 22 but indiscipline from AK with a high tackle gave us the opportunity to clear our lines and put an attack together. Park pressed hard and Gary Dykes took the ball into contact inside our own half and off loaded to Charlie Hyde who snaked through the AK defence and made 45 metres into the AK 22 before getting tackled but the ball was recycled quickly and Dan Williams made a great angled run to take the ball and score our first try on minute 3 with Benny Elliot adding the extras (7-0). Five minutes later it was AKs turn and a great run by their centre into our 22 and an offload put them under the sticks for the equaliser (7-7). It was a tense start to the game, but Park regrouped and starting to pressure AK with strong carries through the forwards and we were starting to get some momentum with possession and territory, but a few mistakes gave away field position and territory and allowed AK to attack our line. On 19 minutes AK won a loose lineout on our 22 and recycled quickly on the short side but we defended well but AK continued to attack and won a penalty 5 metres out and went for the lineout, but Park defended well and held them up over the line forcing a goal line drop out. AK secured the ball and on the second phase they went wide, and winger scored a try to go into the lead (7-14). This was a minor set back and Park knew they had to stick to their game plan and deliver a result. Park were working well in attack but a few minor unforced errors were stunting our attack at time but on 19 minutes we had a scrum just inside the AK half and Jack Williams picked up and passed to Benny Elliot and then onto Charlie Hyde who broke the first tackle and stepped through the defence to score a great try and level the scores (14-14). Park continued to fight for this game and did look the better side, but AK did not roll over and continued to pressure Park and use the wind to gain territory. On 33 minutes AK were in our 22 and used their pack to put together a number of phases to put us under pressure and indiscipline gave away a penalty for being offside and AK scored from short range to take the lead again (14-19). This was a very tense time, but Park kept their heads and continued to work hard in defence and pressure AK into mistakes and the half came to a close with both sides earning a breather and Park needing to build on the first half performance.
Half time score 14 - 19
With second half underway Park had 40 minutes left in the season to show what they can achieve, and they started how they wanted to continue. With a lineout on own 22 which was cleanly take by Jarred Lange the ball was passed out to Tom King who off loaded to Dan Williams who ran 50 metres through the defence with a jinking run and off loaded to young Freddie Kenyon in support who was tackled in the 22 by the chasing AK defence but Park quickly recycled the ball and with three passes through the back line put Lewis Pickering in the corner for our third try to level the scores (19-19). 3 minutes later AK indiscipline just inside their own half gave Benny Elliot the opportunity to go for posts in a long-range effort which was superbly struck to take the lead (22-19). On 49 minutes AK were again on the wrong side of the referee 30 metres out and again Benny Elliot stepped and kicked the 3 points to extend the lead (25-19). This was a massive Park defensive effort, and we did not allow AK to gain any momentum with strong carries throughout the team and strong defence but AK again on 54 minutes were on the wrong side of the referee and Benny stepped up with another long range 45 metre penalty to pile on the pressure (28-19). Park were now in the driving seat with AK chasing the game and making errors and getting frustrated, but this was all down to the Park pressure and Park continued work through the phases and create opportunities. On 60 minutes Park gave away a penalty but the AK line out near our 22 was disrupted and won by Jarred Lange and the ball was quickly fed out to a couple of forward phases and then out to Chris Twigg who made 30 metres on the left hand side and off loaded to supporting runner Benny Elliot who sprinted in to score our fourth try and a bonus point to extend our lead and also adding the extras with the conversion (35-19). With Park in the driving seat in this game we now had 20 minutes to close out this game and the season in front of a fantastic home crowd. We continued to keep the pressure on and stop AK from scoring any points in the second half and on 69 minutes with a penalty in the offing and a free play, Roan Cornwell was on hand to take a lovely cross field kick from Benny Elliot and finish with a great try to seal the victory and secure 9th position in the league (40-19).
In summary Park really stepped up their performance again from two-weeks ago and the hard work in the week paid off with a well earnt win and a performance to round off a tough season. This was again a real team effort and all players put on a great performance for the home crowd to earn a well-deserved win and make up for the sacrifice these players give week in and week out through a long season. Well done lads!
Final score WPRFC 40 – 19 Altrincham Kersal
Team: Chris Twigg, James Weeks, Charlie Hyde, Lewis Pickering, Roan Cornwell, Benny Elliot, Jack Williams, Dan Williams, Matt Treacy, Gary Dykes, Joe Hickey, Jarred Lange, Ross Morrin, Jake Cornwell, Bruce McGrogan, Richard Hart, Tom King and Freddie Kenyon
