Sat 17 Jan 2026
WPRFC v Douglas
17th January 2026 – Park win close game at home
WPRFC 24 – 19 Douglas
This week Park welcomed Douglas to Stade de Burrows Hill for the return fixture and game fifteen of the season. With Douglas sitting fourth in the table, Park were looking for win number nine and turn the table following the loss to Douglas away in October.
Douglas kicked off the game and Park immediately had a good period of possession with good ball retention and testing the Douglas defence but a forward pass on the half way line halted our attack on 4 minutes and Douglas used the scrum as a platform to launch their first attack but kicked through into space but fielded the kick and cleared to touch. From the lineout just inside their half, Douglas won the lineout and went wide on first phase ball and then two quick forward phases and then they chipped over into the Park 22 and winger picked up to score an early try on 5 minutes (0-7). A mistake by Park at the restart gave Douglas the scrum and Park defended the first few phases but were caught off side and Douglas went for points but were short. Douglas were showing what they can offer with quick ball and good hands trying to stretch the Park defence, but Park stayed strong in defence. On 17 minutes, Joseph Rowland got over the ball in the ruck with a great jackal on the Park 22 forcing Douglas to hold on to the ball and to win the penalty. Park kicked to the half way line and won the lineout and set up a driving maul, Harry Sheard took the ball and Will Du Randt took the pass on the short side and linking up with Lewis Owens who beat the first defender and passed back to Will Du Randt just inside the 22 to beat the last defender and score to level the game (7-7). The next ten minutes were an arm wrestle with both sides having possession and territory but not being able to break the dead lock with Douglas having the better chances but Park stayed strong in defence. Douglas took the lead on 27 minutes with a penalty for indiscipline at the ruck by Park (7-10). On 35 minutes Park had a penalty 10 metres out and kicked for the corner, won the lineout, and set up a driving maul and captain Dan Williams scored a try to take the lead with Cameron Flanagan adding the extras (14-10). Park were on the front foot at this point and really put the pressure on the Douglas defence with strong carries from our forward pack and on 38 minutes Douglas were caught offside just inside their own 10 metre line and Cameron Flanagan stepped and kicked the penalty to extend the lead and round off a good half by Park (17-10).
Half time score 17 - 10
Park got the second half underway and were immediately penalised for a tackle in the air which Douglas kicked for territory, they won the lineout and attacked Park but again indiscipline by Park with a high tackle gave Douglas another chance for more territory which they took. Douglas attacked Park and although we defended well indiscipline at the ruck within our own 22 gave Douglas the opportunity for points which they took on 44 minutes to close the gap (17-13). This was a very cagey 15 minutes, and Douglas had a good period of possession and territory and further closed the gap on the scoreboard on 55 minutes with another penalty (17-16). The game was in the balance at this point and a few errors from Park gave Douglas opportunities, but Park still defended well. Douglas were also making errors, and this allowed Park to attack, and we did have a few good breaks, but the last pass did not go to hand. On 65 minutes, Park extended the lead following a penalty at the scrum just on the Douglas 22. Park kicked for the corner and won the lineout and the forwards worked hard in close quarters through five phases and then Joel Gaidan powered over to score our this try and extend the lead with Cameron Flanagan adding the extras (24-16). The last points of the game came from the boot of Douglas on 70 minutes to close the gap to within five points (24-19). Park did come close on 75 minutes when Jack Williams took a high ball just inside our own half and saw a bit of space in behind Douglas and kicked through into the Douglas 22 for captain Dan Williams to chase and Dan kicked through between two defenders but Douglas managed to get to the ball first over their goal line. The last few minutes were nail biting with Douglas in our 22 but the team pulled together and defended everything to close out the game and take a deserved win.
It was a very close game but Park put in a gritty performance to take the home win.
Final score WPRFC 24 – 19 Douglas
Team: Will Du Randt, Lewis Owens, Joseph Rowland, Jack Williams, Alex De Keyzer, Cameron Flanagan, Harry Sheard, Eli Fakailoatonga, Dan Williams (Captain), Robin Lowndes, Johdell Akua, Phil Lynch, Conor Lapniewski, Tom King, Joel Gaidan, Ross Morrin, Harry Dodd and Teddie McCaffery
