Sat 12 Oct 2024
WPRFC v Northwich
12th October 2024 – Park lose out at home in local derby
WPRFC 18 – 27 Northwich
This week Park welcomed Northwich to Stade de Burrows Hills for a derby clash in front of a big crowd. With both teams winless this season so far, this was going to be a very physical and passion fuelled game and a chance for either team to enjoy their first win.
Park kicked off and an error on the kick going out on the full gave Northwich a scrum on the halfway line and a first opportunity to test out the set piece. Park put a decent shove on, but Northwich got the ball away and kicked down field for Chris Twigg to field and return but did find touch and Northwich attacked Park, but Park defended well and also won a penalty at the ruck for Northwich indiscipline. Park had an early attack on 5 minutes with quick ball through the hands to Jack O’Neill who made a good break down the right-hand side of the field but the inside pass just outside the 22 was judged to be forward. Northwich had the next opportunity with a break from their back row but defended well with a great cover tackle by Tom Richardson. The game was in the balance with both sides making errors and not capitalising on field position and possession. The first points opportunity came on 15 minutes with a penalty on the half way line which Northwich elected for the points but was unsuccessful. Northwich had a period of pressure in the Park 22 but Park defended well but put them selves under pressure with errors, but the pressure took its toll, and Northwich scored their first converted try on 25 minutes from short range to take the lead (0-7). Park regrouped and got themselves into the Northwich 22 with a penalty but unfortunately from the lineout an injury to Northwich halted the game for 10 minutes while the physio dealt with the player. The game resumed and Park won the scrum and attacked the Northwich line and also gave away a penalty which Cameron Flanagan kicked to open up the scoreboard for Park (3-7). It was definitely a cagey first half with both sides having possession but with the stoppage and the rain the opportunities were stunted by errors on both sides. On 35 minutes a break from the Northwich full back from his own 22 got him into the Park half and an off load to a supporting runner got Northwich into the Park 22 but was tackled but indiscipline by Park impeding a supporting runner earned Northwich a penalty. They kicked for the corner but lost the lineout, but Park knocked on under pressure from the Northwich defence and got the scrum. Northwich won the scrum and on second phase ball scored their second try under the posts to extend the lead (3-14).
Half time score 3 - 14
Northwich kicked off the second half and straight from the kick off a loose ball by Northwich was picked up by Will Du Rant who ran down the left-hand side and off loaded to Tom Richardson who sprinted through and scored in the corner, unfortunately it was unconverted (8-14). Northwich had an early period of pressure in the Park half and were awarded a penalty which they missed but kept Park under pressure but we continued to fight for everything and produced some great defence in the first 10 minutes but indiscipline by Park gave Northwich another opportunity on 51 minutes to extend their lead from the boot (8-17). Park really needed to get some points, and a series of penalties gave Park an opportunity but with possession in the Northwich 22 our errors in contact gave us no reward and allowed Northwich to relieve the pressure. Park continued to attack but our last passes were not good enough and we gave away good opportunities with unforced errors. On 68 minutes Northwich had a scrum on the Park 22 which they won and spun the ball out quickly through the backs and into the hands of the full back who ran a great line and off loaded in contact to their number 8 who scored their third try which was converted (8-24). This was a hammer blow, but Park regrouped and stuck in the fight, but indiscipline gave Northwich another shot at goal on 72 minutes to extend the lead again (8-27). Park restarted the game and immediately won the ball and attacked the Northwich line but indiscipline gave away some of our territory but we stuck in the fight and battled through the phases with strong carries and finally and powerful carry by Dan Williams on 75 minutes and quick recycling from the ruck with a short ball to Lewis Pickering who powered over to score out second try which was unconverted (13-27). The game certainly was not over but time was not on Parks side now with 5 minutes left on the clock. Park had one last opportunity from a penalty at the scrum against Park which was reversed by the referee and Dan Williams took a quick tap and was tackled but the ball was quickly recycled with another short drive and then quick ball to Cameron Flanagan who passed to Will Du Rant who drew the defence and nice off load to Lewis Pickering who scored his second try which was unconverted (18-27).
This was a hard-fought game with further improvements across the team but unfortunately it was not quite enough to win the game on this occasion.
Final score WPRFC 18 – 27 Northwich
Team: Chris Twigg, Jack O’Neill, Jack Williams, Will Du Rant, Tom Richardson, Cameron Flanagan, Richard Hart, Tom King, Freddie Kenyon, Hanre Coetzee, Gary Dykes, Matt Dodson, Phil Lynch, Matthew Treacy, Dan Williams, Josh Gledhill, Lewis Pickering and Anthony Hopley
