Sat 31 Jan 2026
West Park (St Helens) v WPRFC
31st January 2026 – Park lose in tight contest
West Park 29 – 20 WPRFC
This week Park travelled to West Park (St Helens) on a wet January afternoon looking for another win following the 44-24 win at home last October.
Park got the game underway and an error gave West Park a scrum on the halfway line which they won and kicked through to touch on the Park 22, Park won the lineout and cleared to the West Park 10 metre line. West Park had an early period of possession and territory and on 5 minutes Park were caught offside on our 22 and West Park kicked for the corner; they won the lineout and started with a driving maul then went through nine phases of attack and scored from close quarters (5-0). The next 20 minutes were a battle with both sides trying to break down the opposition defence and both sides having possession but not able to break through. Park had an opportunity on 20 minutes following a penalty on the west Park 10 metre line, we kicked for the corner and won the lineout and on phase two at close quarters we lost the ball forward in the act of scoring. We kept the pressure on and forced West Park to clear to touch but only 7 metres out and won the lineout and attacked but were held up over the line on phase three. On 25 minutes we got an opportunity with a great jackal by Robin Lowndes on the West Park 10 metre line and Cameron Flanagan kicked the penalty to get our first points of the game (5-3). The conditions were poor, but both sides were moving the ball well, but both sides were defending well too. Alex De Keyzer made a great break on 32 minutes but was forced into touch in the West Park 22. On 36 minutes Park had a period of possession which started with a lineout on the West Park 22, the lineout was won and we set up a driving maul which went to ground 10 metres out, but Park quickly recycled the ball and West Park were caught off side and Park went for the scrum. We won the scrum and Dan Williams took in the first phase followed by Tom King on the second phase; we had a couple more strong carries through the forwards and then the ball came to Conor Lapniewski who powered over to score and first try and take the lead before half time (5-8).
Half time score 5 - 8
West Park got the second half underway and started off strongly and within 3 minutes got a try to take the lead following a couple of strong carries and a quick switch of direction and a long cut out pass to the winger who scored in the corner (10-8). Park responded well and with replacements on the field Eli Fakailoatonga and Ross Morrin, we put in some strong carries and made hard yards down the pitch and Lewis Owens kicked to gain ground but the ball did not go where it was intended but Alex De Keyzer caught the ball and stepped the defence before being tackled into touch, fortunately we were awarded a penalty and Cameron Flanagan kicked for the corner. The lineout was won and we set up a driving maul and Ross Morrin picked off the back of the maul and powered over the line to take the lead on 50 minutes (10-13). On 55 minutes West Park were in again following a period of pressure in our 22 and following three phases of attack they went wide and scored to take the lead (15-13). This was a battle of attrition in the conditions and the next ten minutes were very tough with both sides having possession but playing in the middle third of the pitch with our forwards working hard in carrying phase after phase. Park had another opportunity with a penalty on the West Park 10 metre line which Dan Williams took quickly and got to the 22, Park continued to work through the phases and got within 7 metres with another penalty which we took the scrum. We won the scrum and went the short side but lost the ball forward in the tackle which gave West Park the scrum and an opportunity to clear their lines. Park drove West Park in the scrum and won the penalty which Dan Williams took quickly and got within a couple of metres, we took another phase in which was defended and Joel Gaidan picked up at close quarters and powered over to score with Cameron Flanagan adding the extras to take the lead back (15-20). With 15 minutes on the clock the next ten minutes were very tense with both sides looking to close the game out. On 75 minutes West Park got another try to take the lead which was a hammer blow for Park as they spun the ball out wide and a few missed tackles let them score from wide under the sticks (22-20). In the final minutes of the game West Park kicked from just outside their 22 and the ball went out 5 metres out from our try line, West Park secured the line out and took the ball in through a couple of phases and then took the ball at close quarters to score another try to win the game and deny Park any points (29-20).
This was a hard-fought game and although the team put in a huge effort throughout the game it was not to be on the day.
Final score West Park 29 – 20 WPRFC
Team: Will Du Randt, Alex De Keyzer, Joseph Rowland, Lewis Owens, Dan Davenport, Cameron Flanagan, Harry Sheard, Dan Williams (Captain), Matthew Treacy, Robin Lowndes, Phil Lynch, Johdell Akua, Conor Lapniewski, Tom King, Joel Gaidan, Eli Fakailoatonga, Ross Morrin and Harry Dodd
