Sat 6 Nov 2021, 14:15
Cheshire Vase Quarter Final
WPRFC v Northwich
06/11/21
This was always going to be a challenging game for Park being two league's below Northwich. The visiting side struggling in the higher leagues having lost all there games with heavy defeats this would not detract from the local rugby community having a great game of rugby rivalry at fantastic facilities. Park have invested well in the club for all age groups and other community groups who use the facilities. It was great to hear all the positive comments about the improvements undertaken in the last couple of years.
Northwich started well and were awarded a penalty after a Park player did not roll away prevented the ball being available. Northwich kicked for points but the ball fell short.
After 10 minutes of play Northwich scored the first try. They were awarded another penalty and kicked to touch. Won the line out passed out to the backs who run through to score. The conversion was kicked.
Park continued to push forward and were awarded a penalty for a Northwich player knocking the ball out of Scrum half James Johnsons hands.
The kick was converted by Cam Flanagan.
Northwich continued to put pressure and Park were penalised for a player having their hands on the floor going into a ruck. Northwich took a quick tap penalty to nip in and score a second try. The conversion was missed.
The first half ended 3 to 12 to the visitors with the crowd excited that the second could go either way.
Northwich piled the pressure on with some great running by there backs, Alex Burrage prevented a third try with a fantastic one handed tackle clipping the heels of a Northwich player as he sprinted to the try line to fall to the ground 5 metres from the try line.
Park pushed forward and were awarded a penalty for a high tackle and converted by Cam Flanagan.
The game went into stale mate with both sides pushing forward when they had possession the heavy hard tackles took the toll on the Park side with several players going off with injuries.
Park had a great opportunity to score when Alex Burrage intercepted a pass going down the Northwich backs and sprinted over 30 metres towards the line but Northwich backs caught him and tackled him to the ground.
Northwich came back strong and missed scoring when a player dropped the ball when he was over the line which could have been there third try.
Northwich continued to put pressure on Park and with some strong tackling stole the ball from a Park player in a tackle passed the ball out to the backs which went through several hands to score and convert the try.
Park had a period camped on the Northwich line but could not convert the pressure to a try due to the strong defence of Northwich.
Northwich scored a further try in the last 5 minutes after several missed tackles and a converted the kick to make the score 26 to 6.
Park with pride in there hearts pushed forward for the last few minutes and again camped on the Northwich line could not convert the effort into points.
Parks forwards had a fantastic bruising game, the front row were far superior than the Northwich front three but this was cancelled out by the Northwich backs who stole the show with pace, great passing which was the difference between the two sides.
Captain Shaun Underdown prop forward had another fantastic game alongside Mike Eaves hooker and 18 year Ross Morrin prop forward who is getting stronger every game. Alex Glendinning had a huge game in the backrow with constant runs into the Northwich players. Alex Burrage had an impressive game in the backs.
Park can take away lots of positives from this game and the rugby community of Northwich I am sure enjoyed the rare occasion when the two local teams meet.
Team:
Lee Allmark, Will Morrillo, Sam Brookes, Chris Twigg, Cameron Flanagan, James Johnson, Ross Morrin, Mike Eaves, Shaun Underdown (Captain) , Kieran Taylor, Ben Cann, Andrew Evans ,Alex Gendinning, Ryan Williams, Matt Sant, Mat Treacy , Alex Burrage, James Moran, Josh Gibbons and Matt Cross.
