Sat 9 Nov 2024
Vale of Lune v WPRFC
9th November 2024 – Hat-trick by Dan Williams in narrow away defeat
VoL 33 – 26 WPRFC
This week Park travelled to fifth in the table Vale of Lune (VoL) for the first encounter of the season. The conditions were good, and we were looking forward to another improved performance against a strong VoL team.
Park kicked off and immediately gave away a penalty at the ruck which gave VoL a chance to attack Park, but Park fronted up against the VoL attack and forced an error from VoL and cleared the ball. Park carried well in the first exchanges, and we got ourselves into the VoL 22 and won a penalty and kicked for the corner, we won the lineout and attacked VoL but an error at the breakdown gave VoL the chance to clear their lines. The game was very physical with both sides working hard in attack and defence and Will Du Randt made a couple of breaks which got us into the VoL half. A breakthrough came on 12 minutes when the ball went wide to Jacob Halstein on the left wing who kicked through to the massive in goal area and Lewis Pickering chased through and dotted the ball down, but the official was not convinced and awarded a 5-metre scrum. Park won the scrum and attacked the VoL line with good phase play stretching the defence, on the sixth phase the ball went wide to captain Dan Williams who powered over to score a well worked try which was unconverted (0-5). Three minutes later VoL were on the score sheet following an offside penalty on the Park 22 which VoL kicked for the corner, won the lineout, and went wide quickly and scored to take the lead (7-5). Park restarted but the ball did not go 10 metres and VoL had a scrum in the centre of the field, they won the scrum and kicked through looking for a 50:22 but it was just short. Park took the lineout, but the ball was stolen by VoL and their winger ran through a few tackles and off loaded to a supporting player who powered over to score their second try (14-5). The game was still very much in the balance and the next 14 minutes were very physical with both sides having a good amount of possession and territory but no points. VoL were next to score on 36 minutes with a carbon copy of the earlier Park disallowed try but the official judged that the ball was not touched down in goal first by Chris Twigg (21-5). Park did not falter and restarted the game with a few minutes left on the clock, secured the ball on the restart, and attacked VoL and got a penalty for indiscipline at the ruck. Park kicked for the corner, secured the lineout, and set up the maul which powered forward and second row Joe Hickey powered over the line to score our second try which was converted by Cameron Flanagan on half time (21-12).
Half time score 21 - 12
With the second half underway Park started well with another great break by Dan Williams but the ball went wide to Jacob Halstein who was tackled into touch. VoL seemed to get a bit of impetus and worked hard to get into the Park 22 and Park indiscipline at the ruck gave VoL the opportunity and they kicked for the corner. VoL won the lineout and set up a maul which they drove towards the Park line and peeled off to score and stretch their lead on 44 minutes (28-12). This was a tough part of the game for Park and 6 minutes later VoL were in again following Park indiscipline at the ruck which gave VoL field position and territory advantage, VoL won the lineout from the penalty and set up a maul and scores their fifth try (33-12). This was going to be a tough last 30 minutes, but Park really worked hard and threatened the VoL line a couple of times but just could not get over the line which has been a bit of a theme in other games. Park really started to play to their strengths and on 60 minutes, Park had a penalty on our own 22 which was quickly taken by Cameron Flanagan and passed through the hands to Joe Hickey who earned a penalty which was quickly taken by Jack Williams to ran through the VoL defence with a great run and off loaded to Will Du Randt who was tackled 5 metres out but the ball was recycled quickly through the hands of the forwards from Frankie Davenport to Tom King and finally out to Dan Williams who powered over to score his second try in the corner which was converted by Cameron Flanagan (33-19). Park were certainly in the ascendency in this part of the game, but VoL did have a chance to kick a penalty which was missed on 64 minutes. Park were definitely on top on the field and were showing the opposition what we are capable with strong carries and good phase play. On 68 minutes Park were in again for a bonus point try through the ever dependable captain Dan Williams for his hat-trick which started off with a scrum 12 metres inside the VoL half, Dan Williams picked up and made a good run and off loaded to Phil Lynch in the tackle the ball was recycled and taken into contact by Frankie Davenport and recycled again to Joe Hickey who tipped on to Dan Williams who powered through the tackle and scored with Cameron Flanagan adding the extras (33-26). With only 10 minutes on the clock Park worked hard in both defence and attack but could not quite take the win.
It was a very tough and physical day with Park showing some great rugby and another improved performance across the whole team and walking away with two vital points.
Final score VoL 33 – 26 WPRFC
Team: Will Du Randt, Chris Twigg, Lewis Pickering, Jack Williams, Jacob Halstein, Cameron Flanagan, Richard Hart, Dan Williams, Matt Treacy, Phil Lynch, Anthony Hopley, Joe Hickey, Hanre Coetzee, Frankie Davenport, Tom King, Tom Dodson, Jack Fenner and Josh Gibbins
