Sat 12 Feb 2022
Bolton v WPRFC
12th February 2022 – Park win on the road
Bolton 13 – 23 WPRFC
This week Park were at 12th place Bolton on the return fixture and were looking to avenge the loss at home in October. A reshuffled Park side with two Colts making their debut (Charlie and Ben) needed a win to maintain our third place in the league.
The game kicked off with Park looking the better side and capitalising on early pressure and territory with Cam Flanagan kicking a penalty on 5 minutes for the first points of the afternoon (0-3). Park continued to dominate the game in the first quarter with strong forward running and breaking the gain line on every phase of play and forcing Bolton to defend in their own 22. The pressure and penalty count were taking its toll on Bolton and it was only a matter of time before Park capitalised. Another penalty 5m out with Park opting for a dominate scrum, allowed Alex Glendinning to score a try with a strong run on second phase ball powering over to score the first try of the afternoon and converted by Cam Flanagan (0-10).
On 21 minutes, Park were caught offside, and Bolton converted the penalty to give them the first points of the afternoon (3-10). Park were very much in the driving seat in this first half and Bolton did not look like scoring but continued frustrate Park, but Park kept the pressure on and continued to play their own game and dominated both possession and territory. On the 30-minute mark, Park spun the ball out from the scrum with great hands through the back to Chris Twigg on the wing who was tackled illegally on the 22 with a high tackle. The resultant penalty saw Park kick for the corner winning the lineout and setting up a maul, with Alex Glendinning peeling away and scoring his second try of the afternoon which was converted by Cam Flanagan (3-17). Bolton were gifted an easy intercept try a few minutes later to round off the first half (10-17).
Half time score 10 – 17
Within a few minutes of the second half, Charlie the first of our debutants came on in the centre for his first senior game. Park were still in control of the game but could not seem to penetrate a strong Bolton defence, but Park were similarly strong in defence and stifled the Bolton attack in every phase. The first points of the second half went to Bolton following a couple of penalties and a determined driving maul which gave them field position and they opted for the points as they did not look like scoring (13-17).
Park continued to pressure Bolton and kicked them into their 22 with a great touch finder which gave Park the opportunity to attack the Bolton line from 5 metres out. The first attack was deemed to be held up over the line, but Park kept on the pressure with phase after phase of attack but could seem to break through the Bolton defence. After a series of infringements in red zone the referee had no choice but to send a Bolton player to the bin.
On 25 minutes in the second half with the penalty count growing for constant infringements at the ruck, Park took the points with Cam Flanagan slotting the goal (13-20). At this point Ben the second of our debutants came on in the back row for his first senior game. The game continued in a hard-fought battle with both sides determined to attack but Park always had the edge on Bolton and pinned them down in their own half and looked the far better side with both ball in hand and defensively. The final points of the game came from another penalty which Cam Flanagan slotted over on 33 minutes (13-23). The whole team worked hard all game in both attack and defence and a special mention to both debutants (Charlie and Ben) who put in a great performance on first (of many) senior Park appearances.
Final score Bolton 13 – 23 WPRFC
