Sat 18 Sep 2021
This was going to be a tough game with the home side winning their first two league matches.
Park had to make several changes due to injuries from last week’s winning side.
Park started well and after 12 minutes were awarded a penalty try as they put pressure on Southport running the ball down the back line, one of the Southport backs punched the ball out deliberately and was given a yellow card for a professional foul.
Southport came straight back with some strong forward movements to set up their back line to pass the ball down the line to score in the corner. Conversion missed.
Southport were awarded a penalty as a Park player was penalised for going over the top without his feet on the ground. The penalty was kicked.
Southport kicked off and Park came straight back at the home side running the ball at pace. Gary Dykes broke through several tackles to pass out to Lee Allmark (Skippy) to score in the corner with two players hanging onto him. Unfortunately, he took a knock to the knee and had to be replaced by Dan Berg. Another great conversion by Cam Flanagan took the score to 8 to 14.
Parked continued to dominate the game with great flowing rugby.
Cam Flanagan saw a gap made space and made an overlap to passed to Sam Brookes who passed a 25 yard pass out to Dan Berg to score. The conversion was missed.
A great first half saw Park leading 19 to 8.
Park continue as they left off in the second half with further pressure in the Southport half forcing a knock on. Park worked well in the forwards took the advantage to win the scrum and pass the ball down the line to winger Will Nelson to collect at pace and score in the corner. Another great kick from the touch line securing further points.
Park continued the pressure in the forwards and were awarded a penalty under the posts 10 metres out. Park opted for the points and kicked for goal securing the points. This seemed to be the turning point in the game as Southport gained some confidence and began to take control.
Park tried to run a ball down the line in their own half, but a fumbled catch was intercepted by Southport with a long sprint to the try line scored. The conversion was missed.
Southport continued the pressure and within minutes were on the score sheet again with some lovely vision the home side could not get through the Park defence through some great forward defence in one corner a Southport player kicked the ball to the far corner and with the luck of the bounce the winger caught the ball and went over the line. Conversion was missed putting the score 18 to 29 with five minutes left and the away supporters feeling a little nervous.
Southport had the confidence and came straight back at Park and from there own half had several phases of play to set the ball for the backs to run in a fourth try and conversion for the final whistle to end the game 25 to 29.
Park played well for 60 minutes but let the home side back in the game. Worthy of note was Ross Morrin having a fantastic game at prop at 18 he was scrummaging against a mature front row but took it in his stride.
Winger Will Nelson had an impressive game again and the backrow of Glendinning, Treacy and Dykes put in a shift.
The Park coaching team are building a good platform for the season and will take lots of positives from the game.
Team:
Shaun Underdown, Ross Morrin, Mike Eaves, Dave Cross, Ben Cann, Gary Dykes, Matt Treacy, Alex Glendinning, James Johnson, Cameron Flanagan, Will Morrillo, Lee Allmark, Sam Brookes, Will Nelson, Joe Cook, Chris Twigg and Dan Berg.
Park host Tarleton next week at Burrows Hill kick off at 3pm.
Exciting news for a forth coming Cheshire Vase match, Winnington v rivals Northwich. The date has not yet been confirmed by Cheshire RFU but will surely be a great day for local rugby.
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