Sat 18 Jan 2020
“Park pay the price for errors”
Winnington faced table topping Glossop on a cold but fine wintery day at Burrow Hill. The pitch was very heavy due to the rain in the previous and with 24 teams across the club using the pitches 6 days per week the pitches were showing signs or wear. Our volunteer ground staff had done a magnificent job to make sure this fixture took place.
Glossop started the game well and dominated the opening phases. Glossop’s large powerful pack took the game to Park and made a number of drives up the pitch retaining the ball through a number of phases. Despite Park defence Glossop created on overlap on the wing for the first score after 7 mins. At this point Park had yet to have the ball. The conversion was missed making the score 0 – 5.
Park finally saw the ball and began to get themselves back into the game. In fact Park were on top for the next 20 minutes. A fine break form Alex Glendinning nearly created a score for park as he was tackled 2 meters from the line. Unfortunately the support was not forthcoming and Park could not capitalise on this and the other opportunities. Glendenning left the field shortly afterwards following a severe cut to his head form an accidental stray boot to be replaced by Dan Snowden.
Park could make the pressure tell. This was in part due to errors and some poor decisions but also due to the excellent defence of the Glossop team. On 30 minutes a too predictable Park move was well read by the opposition. They turned over the ball and the huge no 8 raced 40 meters to score under the posts. The kick was converted and the score was 0 – 12 to Glossop.
An error form the resulting kick off led to a Glossop attack .Poor tackling form Park led to another try. The conversion was kicked and the score was 0 – 19.It was looking like it was going to be a long day for Park. Glossop were now well on top and looked like scoring every time they got the ball. On the stroke of half time they scored a 4th try again made far too easy by poor tackling from Park. The conversion was missed and the Half Time score was Park 0 – 24 Glossop
Park had further injury woes. Jimmy Moran left the filed to be replaced by Dan Pugh and Jack Williams, only recently returned form a broken arm took a knock and we hope it isn’t a repeat of his previous injury. Park reshuffled with Matt Fowler joining the pack and Dan Williams joining the back line. It appeared that Park were going to suffer a very heavy defeat. However they raised their game and showed enormous pride and passion in the second half. They took the game to Glossop and were the better team for the next 40 minutes. Dan Williams came close only to be held up on the line and Elliot Alston believed he had got the ball down on the line but the referee did not award the try. Jamie Pugh had a couple of great runs and with better support Park would have crossed the line. It wasn’t to be. Glossop’s defence was superb throughout the match and they showed great determination to stop Park scoring.
A tough day for Park and a deserved victory for Glossop who showed exactly why they are in the top two in the League. They will be serious challengers for promotion this season.
Park showed great spirit in the second half. Matt Cross was excellent at scrum half and Alex Burrage, another graduate from last season’s colts, put in a great performance and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a try after a fine break in the 2nd half. 10 players from last seasons this Colts team have played for the 1st XV at Park and the future is really bright with the production line of talent coming through from our mini and junior sections. Parks pack, despite the size and weight difference, matched the opposition throughout and Elliot Alston made a promising return following a lengthy time out of the game following injury.
Coach Matt Farr said” We are not far off being a very good side. If we can remove the lapses in concentration and reduce our errors we can compete with any team in this league. Despite the defeat we can see many positives form this performance which we will take into the next game “.
Squad: Mike Eaves, Andrew Evans, Shaun Underdown, Dave Cross, Elliot Alston, Matt Treacy, Alex Glendinning, Dan Williams, Matt Cross, Jack Williams, James Moran , Sam Brookes, Alex Burrage Chris Twigg, Cameron Flanagan, Dan Snowden, Dan Pugh, Matt Fowler.
