Sat 23 Nov 2019, 14:15
Park travelled too Cumbria hoping to put a stop to the recent defeats and for the travelling fans it was well worth the long journey.
The home side were a big strong heavy pack but this was not going to stop Parks lighter pack from being dominated in the scrums.
Aspatria took the first points with a penalty after a Park player was judged to have not released the player in the tackle.
Park took the game straight back to the home side with some attractive open play with the ball going across the pitch through many hands but Aspatria tackled well and held their line. Park pack got across the pitch and drove the maul that had formed for back row forward Gary Dykes to score the first try of the day,Cameron Flanagan kicked the points.
The game settled down and after 25 minutes Park were awarded a penalty after a Aspatria player not rolling away. Cameron Flanagan kicked the points.
Parks second try came from some fantastic football skills with Cameron Flanagan kicking through a gap for winger Nick Clawson too chase, he to kicked the ball past the Aspatria fullback to chase and dive on the ball that had gone over the try line. Cameron Flanagan kicked the points for Park to finish the first half 3 to 20 and the away spectators feeling positive about the second half.
Unfortunately Park stepped off the pedal and allowed the home side to come back into the game.
Mike Eaves was replaced with Dan Snowden.
Aspatria started to use their power and their no 8 ran through a number of poor tackles by Park to score and converted the kick.
Park were awarded a penalty for a high tackle but the kick for goal was missed. Shortly after back row Alex Glendinning was shown the yellow card for a number of infringes but was then followed by a Aspatria player for a shoulder tackle on Matt Cross.
After 30 minutes of the second half Park were awarded a penalty for another high tackle. Park decided to kick to the corner won the line out and drove over the line with Gary Dykes securing his second try of the day.The conversion was missed.
Park again seemed to go to sleep and allowed a Aspatria player to slip through a number of tackles to score and take the conversion points leaving the travelling fans with a nail biting last five minutes of play.
Aspatria kept the momentum going and scored a further try and kick the points but they had left it to late with a minute to go and Park ended the game victorious winning 24 to 25.
The score did not reflect the the game as Park played some great rugby but need to work on their game management for the full eighty minutes.
Some fantastic tackles from both the back row forwards Gary Dykes and Alex Gllendinning with Mat Treacy playing second row rather than his usual backrow position put some huge hits in on the big Aspatria forwards. All three certainly put a shift in today.
Park have no game this coming weekend and then play Anselmians at home on 7th December.
Team:
Mike Eaves,Andrew Evans, Shaun Underdown, Matt Treacy, , Alex Glendinning, Dan Williams ,Dave Cross (Captain), Sam Brookes, Cameron Flanagan,Chris Twigg , Alex Burrage, Gary Dykes,Dan Berg,Matt Cross and Nick Clawson.
Replacements: Dan Snowden,Joe Cook and Jimmy Moran.
