Sat 22 Jan 2022
WPRFC v De La Salle
22nd January 2022 – Emphatic seven try win for Park
WPRFC 45 – 15 De La Salle
Park welcomed De La Salle to ‘Stade de Burrows Hill’ for the return fixture following our 17-11 loss to them away in early October. The conditions were good and a near full strength Park side were looking forward to a potential ‘spicy’ encounter with the bottom of the table De La Salle. Although bottom of the table, De La Salle prove to be a difficult team who do not score many points but do not concede many either!
The game started with a couple of Park infringements at the breakdown at 2 and 4 minutes which allowed De La Salle the opportunity to kick for goal but unfortunately, they could not convert. De La Salle are a physical team who use their aggression to try and bully teams into playing their style of rugby and the first quarter of the game certainly matched this view. It took 17 minutes for park to break the deadlock and score our first try of the game with a great Joe Cook run who was tackled short of the line and then a great angle from Shaun Underdown who was not going to be stopped at short range and scored an unconverted try (5-0).
The penalty count was rising with De La Salle continuing to infringe on all facets of the game and cause the game to be very stop-start. On 22 minutes, De La Salle levelled the score with an unconverted try in the corner. Park worked hard on their set piece and both lineouts and scrums working will to give them a platform to play off. Again, De La Salle ill-discipline allowed Park to gain field position and on 29 minutes a quick tap by Shaun Underdown who drove through the heart of the De La Salle defence to score try number two which was converted by Cam Flanagan (12-5).
De La Salle responded with an unconverted try on 33 minutes, but Park continued to play their own game and not get drawn into the De La Salle game and just before half time the De La Salle indiscipline again allowed Park to kick a penalty which was missed following a cynical challenge on Josh Allen. From the 22 drop out, Park piled on the pressure with some great forward play and Alex Glendinning broke four tackle to score under the sticks which was converted by Cam Flanagan (19-10). A De La Salle injury in the tackle meant that the second half would be moved to the second team pitch.
Half time score 19 – 10
The second half continued with De La Salle indiscipline and finally a yellow card for their No. 8 for a high tackle on 6 minutes. Park kicked for the corner from the resultant penalty and following a few forwards phase, Will Nelson scored under the sticks which was converted by Cam Flanagan (26-10). Park started to control the game when they were allowed to play and dominated in the set piece and following more indiscipline from De La salle Park were further rewarded on 18 minutes with a Matt Treacy try following a great angled run from Joe Cook who sliced through the defence and quick hands from the backs set Mat Tracy over in the corner (31-10).
The final quarter of the game saw Park continue to play some good rugby and put De La Salle under pressure. Cam Flanagan kicked for territory with a great 50:22 but lost the lineout. On 26 minutes, James Johnson broke through the midfield and was through to score a great try only to be brought down by De La Salle illegally and awarded a penalty try (38-10). De La Salle scored their only points of the second half with an unconverted try (38-15), but the last points of the game went to Park with another Will Nelson try cutting through the defence and sealing the victory. The conversion was slotted over by Cam Flanagan to round off a great win.
Final score WPRFC 45 – 15 De La Salle
Team: Lee Allmark, Chris Twigg, Will Nelson, Will Morrillo, Alex Burrage, Cameron Flanagan, James Johnson, Ross Morris, Andrew Evans, Shaun Underdown (Captain), Harry Stubbs, Ben Cann, Matt Treacy, Joe Cook, Alex Glendinning, Josh Allen, Liam Gough, Mike Eaves
