Sat 12 Mar 2022
WPRFC v Warrington
12th March 2022 – Park brush away visitors in second half
WPRFC 48 – 18 Warrington
This week we welcomed Warrington on the return fixture following our defeat away to them in November. Warrington are currently 5th in the table, and we needed a good win to keep pushing for that 3rd spot.
The first half was a cagey encounter with both teams having a reasonable amount of ball but also a high penalty count. Warrington struck the first blow with a converted try on 6 minutes (0-7), but Park made use of their territory and dominant scrum to overturn Warrington and Alex Glendinning scored an unconverted try to close the gap (5-7) on 13 minutes.
Park continued to dominate the set piece but could not seem to convert the pressure and territory into points. A couple of traded penalties allowed Warrington to extend their lead (8-13). The game was certainly in the balance at this point in the half, but Park did seem to have the edge and on 33 minutes Park struck with an excellent play to send Cam Flanagan in for a try who also converted his try (15-13).
Half time score 15 - 13
Park started the second half with renewed confidence and continued to play the territory game with great work from Cam Flanagan and within 4 minutes we were rewarded with a great forwards try by Ross Morrin who powered through the Warrington forwards from 20 metres out which was converted by Cam Flanagan (22-13). Park was now in the driving seat and with a dominant scrum and superior territory kicking, we looked like a team that had confidence and wanted to score tries. On 53 minutes Kieran Taylor powered through the Warrington defence to score our bonus point try which was unconverted (27-13).
Our dominance was starting to show and we looked like a team in control of all facets of the game, with both our forwards and backs linking well to create great phase play and territory and on 62 minutes a well worked scrum created a platform for the switch in direction with great hands from Will Morrillo to Alex Burrage to Will Nelson who stepped the winger to score a well worked try converted by Cam Flanagan (34-13).
Park was now in the ascendency and a scrum penalty just outside the halfway line and Alex Glendinning took a quick tap and ran through the Warrington defence to score a hammer blow try which was again converted by Cam Flanagan (41-13). To round off the day, a mistake by Warrington in their 22 saw a quick-witted Mat Cross to pick up the loose ball and run in another try for Park which was converted by Cam Flanagan (48-13).
Warrington scored a consolation try 2 minutes from time, but Park showcased great rugby in an emphatic win to keep them in the hunt for that third-place finish. It was a fantastic team effort with all players working hard to dominate the game and create some great rugby for the home crowd.
Final score WPRFC 48 – 18 Warrington
Team: Lee Allmark, Will Nelson, Alex Burrage, Will Morrillo, Chris Twigg, Cameron Flanagan, James Johnson, Ross Morris, Mike Eaves, Shaun Underdown (Captain), Dave Cross, Joe Cook, Matt Treacy, Kieran Taylor, Alex Glendinning, Mat Cross, Charlie Hyde and Gary Dykes
