Sat 11 Jan 2020
Skipper Tony King sat back and surveyed the 20 names on his team sheet, a satisfied smile knowing no chasing round this week. Then reality dawned, it’s only MONDAY!!!! Surely, this must be a dream, the 3’s never have close to this many on a Monday. After checking the ABV on his wine bottle and splashing his face with cold water, it was indeed true. An indication of how this squad is enjoying their rugby.
And so 22 travelled to Oldershaw. Pleasantly surprised to find a firm pitch, but a gusty wind that would make kicking and handling a little tricky.
Park soon settled against a game Oldershaw team, boosted slightly by the loan of a couple of Park subs in true 3rd team rugby spirit. Half backs King and the effervescent Steve Berg steering the Park ship around the park smoothly. An early lack of precision though meant the first score took a while to come. Something we must be sharper on next week. Finally a good break by Gareth Lewis offloaded to King supporting inside. Quick recycle by the forwards to put Charlie Dexter away before an unselfish ball to full back Ben Colyer to open the scoring.
Next came a vintage step from fly half Berg as he broke into the 22. Patient work by the forwards drove Park closer for Andy Hill to run onto a simple pop off the base to crash over taking multiple bodies with him. A perfect demonstration of Mr Newton’s laws in practise.
A few minutes later Berg had the runs again, stepping inside the on rushing defence. Tacked a yard out he wasn’t to be denied wriggling, crawling , stretching to score. Probably not his first “double movement“in the past 24hrs but the score stood.
A few changes on 20 minutes and Park switched off, allowing Oldershaw to crash over from a tap penalty. Again mustn’t happen next week !
Back came Berg again with another break, not wanting to be “caught short”, a lovely offload to “Big Jim” Fowles at speed to finish clinically from the 22. Park up 22 - 5 at half time.
Changes again at half time, and Roy Dexter showed us all how young Charlie is not the only Dexter try machine. Great forward work allowing the big man to crash over. Hang on a minute, he was wearing the dark blue of Oldershaw !!!!!! Great try, but definitely one for the fines book Roy!
Into what was an increasingly strong wind Park were punished every time they lost possession by being kicked back into their half. However possession was becoming easier as the gallant home side tired against the larger squad, and the game started to open up. Big Jim finally found space in the 13 / wing channel on half way. 3 tackles broken later with pace and a little bit of pure power and the big man raced clear to grab his second of the game.
Not to be outdone by his Dad, Dexter jnr then found space on the right to streak away and grab another try in the corner. 4 tries in 2 games for the whippet !
Park then put together a few good phases of structured play, forwards recycling and concentrating rather than attempting expansive offloading. Finally quick ball for scrum half King to thread a pass between retreating players to find Rhys Williams hitting a superb line to score without a hand laid on him.
Flanker Ed Wilkinson then continued his superb run of form in his new position, breaking clear on the 22 to touchdown a deserved score.
The best was still to come as full back Colyer caught another clearance on our own 10. Sensing space and tired legs, he accelerated into the gaps, stepping and breaking tackles for a superb individual effort.
Final score 47-10 to Park
Another very pleasing performance from the continually developing 3rd team squad. We are growing as a unit all the time. Some excellent execution of our game plan interspersed with some switching off. Maybe understandable but can’t happen In what will be a major challenge next week as we welcome the powerful Birkenhead Park 4th XV
Credit to Oldershaw for getting the game on. All the lads who subbed for you enjoyed your company. Best wishes for the rest of the season.
MoM - Steve “Sir” Berg. Despite a “rather poorly tummy” overnight he recovered to produce a vintage performance at outside half, and to stay on for 80 minutes
DoD - Elliot Alston. Following a successful 30 minute comeback from injury, tried to sneak on in the Blue of Oldershaw....only to be sent back off by the ref as they already had 15 on the pitch, he never could count !
Tony
