Sat 10 Sep 2022
Firwood Waterloo v WPRFC
10th September 2022 – Park suffers a loss away from home
Firwood Waterloo 50 – 24 WPRFC
The second game of the season saw Park travel to Firwood Waterloo nursing some injuries. We knew this was going to be a real tough game as Firwood Waterloo narrowly missed out on promotion last season but suffered an eight try to three defeat.
The first half started with Firwood Waterloo (FW) wanting to play a very quick expansive game and were on the score sheet with an unconverted try within 5 minutes from a penalty which was taken quickly 10 metres out (5-0). The game was being played at a very quick pace with Park defending for long periods and not seeing a great deal of possession, the pressure was sustained by FW and unfortunately a clash of heads between Dave Cross and Bruce McGrogan in a tackle saw Dave Cross leave the field. The pressure from FW continued and forced Park to defend with Benny Elliot being judged to have deliberately knocking the ball on and having 10 minutes with a yellow card. FW capitalised with a converted try from the penalty (12-0).
FW capitalise on the mismatch of numbers and scored from the kick off (19-0). Park hit back straight away from a scrum just inside the 22 with Dan Williams picking up from the back of the scrum and breaking a couple of tackles to score a great converted try (19-7). FW continued to play at a quick pace and put park under pressure and although we defended well FW scored another two tries before the break. Park did get some more points on the board before half time from the boot of Benny Elliot (31-10).
Half time score 31 - 10
The first 20 minutes of the second half was much of the same with FW controlling the game and scoring three tries to extend their lead to 50 -10. Park started to get a foothold in the game after spending long periods defending with very little decent possession. A great break from Benny Elliot from a scrum saw the FW fly half take out Benny with a high tackle and a yellow card. The penalty saw Park power into the FW 22 with some great runs by Dan Williams, Jake Cornwell and James Wood before quick ball from Mat Cross to Jack England and a neat pass to Benny Elliot who beat two defenders to score a great try and conversion (50 – 17).
Park had now found another gear and started get better ball and territory but had a large deficit on the scoreboard to bridge. Park had a scrum on the FW 40m line which Park won and Mat Cross passed out to Benny Elliot who passed to Sam Brookes who passed a great inside ball to Charlie Hyde who ran a great line through the FW defence and only had the full back to beat but got the support from Jack England who scored a great converted try which was straight off the training field (50 – 24).
A tough day against a well drilled team but Park showed some great rugby and worked hard to get a foothold in the game with a far better second half performance.
Final score Firwood Waterloo 50 – 24 WPRFC
Team: Cameron Flanagan, Charlie Hyde, Will Morrillo, James Wood, Sam Brookes, Benny Elliot, James Johnson, Bruce McGrogan, Jake Cornwell, Shaun Underdown (Captain), Dave Cross, Matt Treacy, Gary Dykes, Jack England, Dan Williams, Ross Morrin, Mat Cross and Gregor Purves
