Sat 6 Sep 2025
Altrincham Kersal v WPRFC
5th September 2025 – Park start the season with narrow win away
Altrincham Kersal (AK) 26 – 30 WPRFC
The start of the new 2025/26 season on a lovely September day and Park travelled to Altrincham Kersal (AK) for the first game of the league season. Our last game of the last season was at AK and we came away with an impressive win some five months ago. Under our Captain Dan Williams, we welcomed a host of familiar players and a few new faces in Eli Fakailoatonga, Riewoldt Teabuge, Akua Johdell, Robin Lowndes, Daniel Daly, Ben Harries, Joe Rowland and returning from last season Joel Gaidan.
The game got underway with Park getting the first attack following a box kick from AK and Park taking the ball and going through the phases but a high tackle on Dan Williams gave Park an opportunity and a quick tap by Dan Williams got us into the 22 but AK worked hard and got a penalty at the breakdown but did not find touch and Park had another attack but a chip over by Riewoldt Teabuge was collected by AK who kicked down field and Teddie McCaffery cleared to touch. The game was being played at a fast pace with both sides having possession, but AK had the first points on 8 minutes which started with a 50:22 and a penalty against Park gave AK an opportunity from a quick tap and they scored an unconverted try (5-0). Park restarted the game and worked hard through 18 phases with strong carries into the AK half and with some great hands from Cameron Flanagan to Tom King to Alex De Keyzer and final to full back Riewoldt Teabuge on debut to score in the corner on 12 minutes and Cameron Flanagan to add the extras (5-7). The Park work rate throughout the team was high but few minor errors were making our job harder but on 22 minutes we had a penalty just outside the AK 22 and kicked for the corner, the lineout was won and we set up the driving maul and went through 13 phases but could not get over the try line. Fortunately, we got a penalty at the breakdown and elected for a scrum which we won and again went through a further 5 phases but with quick hands from the breakdown Phil Lynch saw a gap and scored our second try which was converted again by Cameron Flanagan (5-14). Park were on the front foot with possession, but AK stood firm in defence and made in hard for Park to penetrate even with the high work rate through the phases. On 35 minutes AK had a penalty on the Park 22 and kicked for the corner, they went through the phases, but Park kept strong in defence and turned the ball over and cleared our lines. The AK lineout was lost, and Park did not clear to touch and AK ran the ball into contact and quickly recycled and scored in the corner to close the gap on the scoreboard (12-14). From the restart, AK secured the ball and attacked Park and unfortunately Park were caught off side 5 metres into our own half and AK took a kick at goal and took the lead in the last play of the first half (15-14).
Half time score 15 – 14 (Akua Johdell on for Anthony Hopley)
The game restarted and within 1 minute Park got a penalty in almost the exact position as AK at the end of the first half and Cameron stepped up and kicked the penalty successfully to take the lead again (15-17). Unfortunately, 2 minutes later on 43 minutes, Park indiscipline at the breakdown on the Park 22 gave AK an easy 3-point penalty to take the lead back (18-17). On 48 minutes Park were penalised again and we were down to 14 men with Alex De Keyzer shown the yellow card. Park worked really hard during this period and defended really well but AK had a chance when they broke through but dropped the ball in the act of scoring. Park did not concede any points during the sin bin and on 58 minutes we were awarded a penalty on the AK 10 metre line and Cameron Flanagan stepped up and retook the Park lead (18-20). This was a game of attrition and Park really needed to use their possession to score points and on 64 minutes another kickable penalty was awarded to Park and Cameron Flanagan stepped up and extended the Park lead (18-23). A few minutes later, AK made a break from the halfway line and with a couple of missed tackles they scored an unconverted try to level the scores on 68 minutes. This was going to be a very tense final 12 minutes. AK had opportunities to score and on 75 minutes they came very close, but a handling error gave Park a scrum 5 metres out and we cleared our lines. A few minutes later, Park indiscipline gave away a penalty 35 metres out and AK kicked the penalty to take the lead (26-23). So, with only minutes left on the clock, Park really needed to control the game and wrestle the win. Park restarted the game and AK fielded the kick and cleared to touch on the halfway line, the lineout was won and Park spread the ball wide and on the second phase AK were penalised for not releasing and Park kicked to touch 15 metres out from the AK try line. The lineout was won, and we set up a driving maul, but the maul collapsed, and Park were awarded a penalty, we opted for a scrum and won with Captain Dan Williams picking up from the tail and powering over to score a try and win the game. Cameron Flanagan, who was on excellent kicking form added the extras to round off a hard-fought win.
In summary it was a very hard-fought game with a solid performance to win the first game of the season and see the hard work in preseason.
Final score Altrincham Kersal (AK) 26 – 30 WPRFC
Team: Alex De Keyzer, Riewoldt Teabuge, Jack Williams, Lewis Pickering, Teddie McCaffery, Daniel Daly, Cameron Flanagan, Dan Williams (Captain), Matthew Treacy, Robin Lowndes, Anthony Hopley, Phil Lynch, Eli Fakailoatonga, Tom King, Joel Gaidan, Akua Johdell, Joseph Rowland and Ben Harries
