Sat 15 Jan 2022
Tarleton v WPRFC
15th January 2022 – Park come away with a draw
Tarleton 27 – 27 WPRFC
The first away game of 2022 was a visit to mid table Tarleton who have always been a tough side at home for Park. The conditions were much more favourable this week with the pitch at Tarleton in fairly good condition.
The game started at a good pace with both sides keen to play expansive rugby but a penalty at the ruck just outside the 22 gave Park the opportunity to kick for goal and Cam Flanagan slotted over the first points of the game (0-3). The first scrum of the game was won against the head by Park which showed great promise for the game with set piece working well for Park. Tarleton took advantage of a Park line out not being straight and with a further penalty on the next phase, they kick for the corner and drove over only for Park to show great defence and hold the ball up.
The first try of the game came a few minutes later with Tarleton taking a quick tap and scoring in the corner. The game continued to be played at a decent pace with both sides competing in all parts of the game but Tarleton maybe getting the edge at the ruck with a couple of important steals. On 15 minutes another penalty gave Park an opportunity with the boot of Cam Flanagan who slotted it over again (7-6).
Unfortunately, on 24 minutes an altercation saw Park (No.4) and Tarleton (No.12) down to 14 men with two red cards, this did not play into Parks hands as the scrum was working well. Both sides worked hard to gain momentum but neither could not penetrate the defence, but Park edged the momentum with some very strong running by the forwards with Joe Cook and Alex Glendinning making good yards. Park took their scoring opportunities leading up to half-time by the boot of Cam Flanagan with two successful penalties. With the penalty count rising, the Tarleton No.8 was shown the yellow card a couple of minutes before the break.
Half time score 7 – 12
Tarleton started the second half strongly with some good phase play and forcing Park to defend their line with Chris Twigg making a great try saving tackle, but Park continued to defend well but gave away a couple of penalties which were unsuccessful for Tarleton from the boot. The deadlock was broken on 12 minutes, with Tarleton scoring their second try which they could not convert (12-12). Park continued to play an expansive game but could not quite get that last pass to stick with some unforced errors.
With Tarleton back up to 14 men, the game was very much in the balance with both teams attacking with pace. Again, a yellow card for Park No.15 put us on the back foot and Tarleton took advantage of this a couple of minutes later with their third try (unconverted) (17-12). The boot of Cam Flanagan again got us back in contention a few minutes later (17-15), but Tarleton struck back with a converted try on 24 minutes to extend their lead (24-15).
The final quarter of the game saw Park step up their game and started to dominate the game in parts with expansive rugby. A Park penalty in the 22 with a scrum call led to some great passing along the backs and Alex Burrage scoring and unconverted try in the corner (24-20). Park continued to attack Tarleton with some great phases of play and were rewarded with a well taken try in the corner from Chris Twigg which was converted by Cam Flanagan to take the lead with only a few minutes to play (24-27). With the clock red Park conceded a kickable penalty which Tarleton took the 3 points to draw the game.
Final score Tarleton 27 – 27 WPRFC
Team: Lee Allmark, Josh Allen, Will Morrillo, James Johnson, Alex Burrage, Cameron Flanagan, Matt Cross, Ross Morrin, Andrew Evans, Shaun Underdown (Captain), Dave Cross, Ben Cann, Matt Treacy, Liam Gough, Alex Glendinning, Chris Twigg, Joe Cook, Kieran Taylor
