Sat 5 Mar 2022
Cockermouth V WPRFC
5th March 2022 - Park suffer defeat on the road
Cockermouth 32 – 12 WPRFC
This week Park faced mid table Cockermouth on the away fixture. This was always going to be a tough match and with a few players unavailable for this game, Park needed to be on top form to secure points away from home. The conditions were good, but the pitch had not faired so well following a mud bath a few weeks previous.
Cockermouth started strongly with plenty of field position and possession but struggled to break down the Park defence. The game was very scrappy with both sides guilty of giving up possession too easy with errors in attack. Cockermouth did not take advantage of the wind in the first half which was in their favour, but Park indiscipline allowed Cockermouth to score the first points of the game from the penalty (3-0).
The game continued at a frantic pace with both sides working hard defensively to stifle any attack but the errors on both sides caused the first half to be a very stop start game. Neither side looked like scoring as the game became a battle in every area and Cockermouth using the choke tackle to frustrate Park in attack. Another penalty allowed Cockermouth to increase their lead from the tee before half time (6-0).
Half time score 6 – 0
The second half started with a similar theme with neither side showing much of what they were capable of, and the game did feel as though any side could win the game, but it was still a bruising and cagey encounter. After 15 minutes, Cockermouth got the first converted try of the game with a neat chip over (13-0) and looked to be in the ascendancy at this point in the game. They further capitalised on this with a driving maul to score another unconverted try on 22 minutes (18-0).
Park now needed to get a foothold in this game and following a couple of penalties in the Cockermouth half a well worked attack saw James Johnson split the Cockermouth defence and score a converted try to open up the Park account (18-7). Cockermouth continued to pressure Parks line and scored their third try on 33 minutes (25-7). The home side continued to frustrate Park, but their discipline again gave Park opportunity and field position, and this was capitalised by another great run by James Johnson from short range to power over the line for his second try of the day which was unconverted (25-12).
The game was slipping away from Park and Cockermouth capitalised with an easy final converted try under the posts following a nice short pass allowing Cockermouth to cut through the defensive line and earn a bonus point victory. It was a frustrating day with Park only showing glimpses of what they are capable of doing and unfortunately it was not enough today.
Final score Cockermouth 32 – 12 WPRFC
