Sat 22 Feb 2025
Northwich v WPRFC
22nd February 2025 – Park take a thrilling win away in local derby
Northwich 20 – 24 WPRFC
This week Park travelled to Northwich for the return derby clash in front of a big crowd. With Northwich edging the home game back in October, this was going to be a very physical and passion fuelled game.
Northwich kicked off the derby and Park got their game underway through the forwards, but Northwich immediately got a penalty for Park holding on just outside the 22 and kicked the first points of the game (3-0). Park restarted the game and Matthew Treacy got up in the air to knock the ball back for Joel Gaiden to pick up and secure the possession but a few phases on Northwich again won the penalty for holding on in the tackle. The work rate was massive by both teams, but Park were determined to stick to their game plan, but Northwich were extremely quick over the ball and were winning this battle at the ruck at this stage. The game at this stage was definitely in the balance with Northwich having a bit more territory but Park were working hard in defence and on 10 minutes Northwich would have scored but the last pass was judged to be forward. Park secured the scrum and cleared their lines, and Northwich had the lineout but an error at the lineout gave Park the option of a scrum and a chance to attack. Park went through four phases and were looking strong, but Northwich held us up in the tackle and forced a scrum. Northwich secured the scrum and worked two phases, but captain Dan Williams was straight over the ball in the tackle and secured crucial possession. Park were looking to attack Northwich with width and speed and both the forwards and the backs worked hard to get over the gain line and get into a strong position in the opposition 22. This worked really well and after a couple of strong forward carries the ball went through the hands and Alex De Keyzer dived over in the corner for a fantastic team try (3-5). Park were looking to take advantage of any opportunity and a few minutes later after a large number of attacking phases, Dan Williams made a great break into the Northwich 22 and Park continued to attack through the forwards and were only metres away but they switched to the right and with great hands through to Will Du Randt who powered over to score our second try (3-10). The game continued to be a tough encounter and with score line being very tight every opportunity was going to count, and Cameron Flanagan made the most of Northwich indiscipline on 27 and 33 minutes with two penalties to extend the lead (3-16). Northwich closed the gap just on half time with a quick tap penalty following a scrum five metres out from the Park line to end a thrilling half of rugby (10-16).
Half time score 10 - 16
Park restarted the second half and continued to attack Northwich with strong carries across the whole team. The first 20 minutes of the second half was a very cagey affair with both sides looking for any opportunity to capitalise on any mistakes but Park looked the better team and worked tirelessly to get possession and territory and make Northwich defend for long periods of time and force them into making errors. Northwich did have an opportunity on 41 minutes when they intercepted in their own half and kicked through, but Alex De Keyzer beat them to the ball to prevent a try. Park scored the first points of the second half from the boot of Cameron Flanagan on 63 minutes after a period of heavy attack by Park and indiscipline by Northwich which gave Park the opportunity of 3 points (10-19). 5 minutes later Northwich took their penalty option for a high tackle on the Park 22 (13-19). This was a great contest and both sides wanted the win to gain the bragging rights in the local derby. On 31 minutes Park were under pressure on their own try line from a Northwich attack but managed to turn the ball over and attempt the clearance but the clearance did not go to touch and Northwich fielded the ball and with two passes out to the wing they scored in the corner and converted to take a 1 point lead with 9 minutes to go (20-19). This was tough for Park who had led this game from the 15-minute mark, but they needed to dig deep again for the last few minutes to not let this game slip away. Park restarted the game and secured the ball and every carry by Park was measured and had the support it needed to hit Northwich with phase after phase of attack. Park got a breakthrough on 36 minutes with a penalty and Will Du Randt kicked for territory which was just inside the Northwich 22. The lineout was won by Phil Lynch and captain Dan Williams took the first phase into the middle of the pitch and Cameron Flangan switched play to the left side, we continued to tack with 6 phases of rugby until a Northwich stood in an offside position to give away a penalty and this was the opportunity that Jack Williams needed and he took a quick tap and through a magnificent long pass to the left hand side to a waiting Alex De Keyzer who scored the winning try to seal a victory for the away side (20-24). Northwich indiscipline following the try gave Park a penalty on the restart and Park had to kick for touch, secure the line out ball and then keep hold of the ball for a few minutes before time was up and the victory went to Park.
This was a hard-fought passionate game with a massive performance across the whole Park team who showed their skill and determination to win and a well-earned 4 points.
Final score Northwich 20 – 24 WPRFC
Team: Alex Burrage, James Wilkinson, Genesis Iuli, Will Du Rant, Alex De Keyzer, Cameron Flanagan, Jack Williams, Joel Gaiden, Tom King, Elijah Sa’u, Gary Dykes, Joe Hickey, Phil Lynch, Matthew Treacy, Dan Williams, Josh Gledhill, Lewis Pickering and Matty Davenport
