Sat 25 Sep 2021
They say the key to success is preparation, preparation and preparation. Skipper King printed his team sheet on Friday night feeling relaxed and very happy with the 20 names selected. By 3pm Saturday, all that preparation had been thrown out of the window, 2 late withdrawals to illness, 2 props struggling to make it having been on the lash in Leeds and Cardiff respectively, and then to cap it off Tom Robb being struck by the Ecolab sniper as he threw in to the practice line out. Suffice to say the captain was not happy, cancelling the team photo and yes the toys were exiting the pram at pace!
And so the remaining 15 took the field against our friends and rivals The Gentleman of Moore. Moore looked big with plenty of props so uncontested scrums was maybe a little disappointing for them. They also had plenty subs so the afternoon looked a difficult one for Park.
With the still very grumpy captain back to 9 to make room for league lad Steve Lowe at 10 (apologies, can’t remember who he plays league for), Park settled in to their game plan, putting together consistent pods off 9 and 10 and steadily moving Moore around. On Moore’s ball, chop them down around the fringes and compete. Hallmarks of the 3’s when playing well. It didn’t take long for a content and knowing glance to spread around the Park side. We were right in this match. What’s more, the misfiring line out was starting to purr with the big Irishman James Laverty clutching everything out of the sky.
A totally accidental stray boot at a ruck then made King even grumpier as once again this season he was leaking claret from his magnetic beak and had a cut top lip for good measure. Soon though a pained grimace broke out as the backs started to find gaps culminating in Liam Gough crashing over in the right corner.
Park on the ascendency, quick ball left, experienced Welsh boys Gareth Lewis and the returning to rugby Ryan Williams with Moore’s backs on toast..............why is their fullback sprinting down the pitch with the ball? Another toy exited the captain’s pram into orbit. Half time 7-5 to The Gentlemen.
Park’s team talk was composed and calm. Moore’s try was against the run of play, their big lads were blowing and we were starting to get our own strong runners into wider channels.
Second half and Park straight into rhythm, a lovely little chip through from Steve Lowe pressuring the full back behind his line. Aidan Campbell finally making a competitive start for his “dad”, catching him bringing him to ground. Straight over went the most unlikely of Jackals, captain grumpy to win the penalty for not releasing. Quick tap, Gough crashed over only to be brought back by the referee because of the excessive energy drink sponsorship on his shorts. Re-taken and recycled before Rhys Williams crashed over for a deserved score under the sticks.
Attacking the clubhouse end, the crowd of Vice Presidents watching from the balcony, Park went up another gear. The back row were now starting to maraud popping up in the channels. Quick call of left and Park switch. The excellent Ed Wilkinson breaking into the Moore half on the blindside . Roger Rayner took the outside defence away leaving Ed to draw the last man and offload inside to Campbell supporting to score the try of the day beneath the appreciative VPs.
Not long after Park had another, this time the other flanker Rhys Williams fancying a run down the left. Sadly the poor young Moore winger, giving away about 8 stone didn’t fancy his task one bit. Williams didn’t step, just dipped a little then proceeded to take the brave youngster and two more for a ride over the line and score his second.
Not to be outdone Moore hit back. Park were blowing slightly, it was hot for rugby. Good work by their forwards and a bit of indiscipline around the rucks leading to a good score under the posts.
Any comeback was finished with Gareth Lewis beating a couple of players from the 22 to seal the game. Moore did have the final say to close to a final score of 33-21, but it was Park’s day.
Captain grumpy smiled, exhausted and bloodied. Surprisingly he still smiled when he caught sight of the 2 missing in action props, enjoying a beer!!
I must applaud the opposition. We have a good rivalry building between us, and have had some great games recently played in excellent spirit. Long may it continue.
As for Park. My best day yet as captain in my short tenure. I’ve been lucky enough to have some very good wins to date but this one topped it. Backs to the wall after a calamitous preparation, we switched it on from the off. Discipline, heart, structure, poise. Olds dogs Kirky & Roy putting in a serious shift on the coal face. Clint playing through injury. Brad being Brad!!!! The back row immense all day. Control from Lowey plus four conversions and not forgetting Harry Lowe in only his second senior game on the wing.
MoM: Liam Gough, destructive carrying all day and loving his return to the game. Glad to have you in the squad !!
DoD: Shared between Jase “Leeds” McPhillips and Barry “Cardiff” Collins. Tom Robb gets a mention in despatches and thus completing an illustrious front row of muppets!!!
Cheers lads, proud to be Captain
Mr Burns
