Sat 16 Nov 2019
This was going to be a challenging day for Park with Manchester second in the league and only loosing one game on this years campaign.
Within three minutes Park were behind with some good ball handling by Manchester to score the first try of nine. The kick was converted.
Park composed themselves and kept Manchester out for ten minutes but the pack pressure was to much and they drove over for the second try. The kick was converted.
Within minutes Manchester where on try number three with some sloppy tackling by Park. The kick was missed.
Gary Dykes came on for Ben Cann after injury to his ankle and Ryan Williams was replaced with Matt Cross returning after a eight week absence through injury.
The fourth try came with the Manchester fullback scored a impressive try with his pace side stepping three Park players to score.
The conversion was kicked.
Coach Farr made further changes tacking off 18 year old Jake Cornwell who is maturing with each game for Andrew Evans and Ryan Williams came back on after receiving treatment.
The pain continued with try five after Park lost the ball in a tackle and scored. The conversion was kicked.
Shortly after Ryan Williams was tackled and had to be supported off the pitch with damaged ligaments to his ankle.
Park had a last 10 minute spell of raising there game and scored after a line out passed the ball out for Ben Critchley to go over the try line. The kick was missed.
The half time score was 5 to 33 and the crowd was hoping for a better display from the home side.
Park unfortunately were awarded a penalty try against them after the referee judged Dan Berg had deliberately knocked on whilst intercepting a pass. He was given a yellow card. Captain Dave Cross was also given yellow card for foul play.
Park rallied and scored a second try with Matt Treacy using his power to drive over the line after some good pack play in the Manchester half.The comeback was short lived with Manchester scoring further tries and Park scoring there third try by a nice piece of individual running from hooker Andrew Evans.
The score ended 17 to 61 and Park worst defeat in a number of years.
Park played well in parts but could not match the Manchester side both in the forwards and backs and need to focus on the rest of the season if they are to stay in this league and finish in the top half of the league.
Some positive play and news of having Matt Cross fit and looked sharp after his two month absence with injury.
Park travel next week to Aspatria near Barrow in Cumbria.
Team:
Mike Eaves, Jake Cornwell, Dan Snowden, Matt Treacy, Ben Cann, Alex Glendinning, Dan Williams ,Dave Cross (Captain), Sam Brookes, Cameron Flanagan,Chris Twigg , Dan Berg ,Ryan Williams, Alex Burrage and Ben Critchley.
Replacements: Andrew Evans, Gary Dykes and Matt Cross.
