Sun 17 Oct 2021
Burrows Hill, 12:30pm Sunday 17th October, the final juniors slowly leaving the club as the Workington Zebra Finches’ coach pulls into the car park. A steady stream of ladies exit the coach, all in team wear, looking very professional and meaning business.
Shortly after, the first trickle of Park ladies started to arrive. At this point I should mention that most of said Park ladies frequented the hugely enjoyable Oktoberfest the night before. A fine night had by all but two pint steins of rum and coke are not the ideal pre match fuel!! Sadly Coral also sustained a severe dancing injury ruling her out for the big game.
Pleasingly 16 ladies arrived for the warm up, the orange bucket at the ready by the tackle bags. Surprisingly, the run throughs were sharp and switched on. The attitude was good, although as the effort ramped up the ethanol fumes were certainly evident to the coaches!
The Finches kicked off, well taken by Park and good composed play off 9. However the Cumbrian girls were strong and their pack especially powerful. First scrum, Park marched backwards and the afternoon looked like a long one. Anything taken into contact high and The Finches ripped it, then crashed it back through the middle making gains. 15 minutes in and the visitor’s strength yielded the first try. Power and offloads breaking the Park line.
Bravely, Park responded. Good structure off the half backs Lauren and Caz. Hard work by all the forwards and Park slowly made yards forward. The pressure on The Finches leading to some indiscipline and a yellow for a high shot. Every penalty kicked forwards by Caz and our line out purring with Cerys pinching everything. The scrum also started to turn. Young inexperienced front row, Jess and Hollie learning fast alongside captain Thea. After a good time camped in the opposition 22 Park were rewarded, Caz stepping inside defenders to level the game at 5-5. A well deserved score.
The half time coaches message was simple, get the play a bit wider off 10 and move their pack around. And this we did with both Cerys and and Jen finding holes around the 12 channel and making serious yards. Park were flying and playing some very good disciplined rugby. The ruck technique work paying dividends, getting lower into contact stopping the Finches stealing ball. Workington were tiring and a couple of girls left the field to nasty injuries, we wish them a speedy recovery.
Eventually Park got their reward, Caz scoring her second after great forward work, then crucially converting 12-5 to Park.
The Finches fought back, throwing everything at Park. Nothing less than a converted try was needed. Park held firm, immense tackling from the engine room of Lindsey, Mel and “Drunken Pirate” Ceri, the tenacity of Lucy and Gail on the flanks. Backs joining them putting their bodies on the line, Macey, Charlotte and debutant Nicole getting her first taste of contact rugby. Special mention to Krys for filling in at fullback instead of her accustomed second row.
The final whistle blew, D.O.R. Berg dancing wildly on the mound in celebration of an immense win.
Thank you to Workington Zebra Finches for travelling 3 hours and playing their part in a great game. We look forward to the return trip next year.
Stalwart Manager Eastwood was “almost” emotional as he reflected and admitted it was one of the best wins for Park ladies in their short history. An outstanding effort by all 16 Park ladies and a very well deserved first win of the season.
Player of the match : Great leadership and ball stealing by captain Thea, outstanding improvement in the scrum and loose by Jess and Hollie, but with two tries and a conversion plus excellent tactical kicking all day, the award had to go to fly half Caz.
Well done Park Ladies !!
By:
Charles Montgomery Plantagenet Schicklgruber Burns
