Sat 12 Nov 2022, 14:15
Wilmslow v WPRFC
12th November 2022 – League and cup double header loss
Wilmslow 33 – 20 WPRFC
This week Park travelled to Wilmslow for a league and Cheshire Vase double header with both teams in the bottom end of the table and similar both with a similar run of two wins from nine games in the league. The conditions were fine and dry for the game, and a reshuffled Park side following some injuries and unavailability were looking for a third win in the league.
With the game underway, Park had a good start with some early possession and territory, but an error gave Wilmslow a chance to clear their lines, but Park fielded the kick and earned a penalty at the ruck just inside the 22. Park opted to kick for goal and Benny Elliot got Park on the scoreboard (0-3). From the restart Wilmslow regained possession from a Park tap back and recycled the ball and a neat step by the Wilmslow fly half they scored their first converted try (7-3). Park was really struggling with their lineout, and this was allowing Wilmslow to gain the advantage but indiscipline at the breakdown gave Park some territory and with the lineout won, Park drove Wilmslow back with their maul and Dan Williams scored the first converted try (7-10). The game was very tense as both sides made small errors which stunted any real chance of free-flowing rugby, and the game was a very stop start game but a nice break by Tom Merrick got Park into the 22 but the pass went into Wilmslow’s hands and was cleared. Park kept the pressure on and worked hard in attack, but simple errors were stunting our ability to finish any chances we were creating but indiscipline by Wilmslow at the ruck gave Park the opportunity for another three points which Benny Elliot kicked (7-13). The game was very frustrating by both sides as neither were clinical enough in both attack and defence but the final points of the first half went to Wilmslow with a converted try just before the whistle (14-13).
Half time score 14 - 13
With the second half underway Park got a penalty from a scrum and a quick tap by Dan Williams got Park into the 22 but was tackled but a quick pass to Benny Elliot who beat the defence to score a great try which he converted (14-20). On 46 minutes Park had another penalty opportunity from just inside the halfway line but was just short and Wilmslow cleared their lines. Wilmslow were on the scoreboard again on 52 minutes when Park was caught a bit narrow in defence and Wilmslow scored an unconverted try to bring scores to within a point (19-20). Wilmslow appeared to be more in control of the game at this point and scored again on 56 minutes with an easy walk-in bonus point try following some sustained pressure in the Park 22 (26-20). Park made some great breaks but could not convert to points with either handling errors or good defence by Wilmslow. The following ten minutes of the game was fairly equal with both sides having possession but not being able to convert the possession and field position into points, but Park had the opportunities although unforced errors prevented us from scoring points. Wilmslow had field position and on 69 minutes after a sustained attack in our 22 sealed the game with their fifth try which they converted (33-20). Park continued to work in attack and defence but were not clinical enough and unforced errors prevented us from creating opportunities and scoring points.
A frustrating day for Park with the performance not being good enough against a team in a similar position.
Final score Wilmslow 33 – 20 WPRFC
Team: Chris Twigg, Tom Merrick, James Wood, Charlie Hyde, Will Morrillo, Benny Elliot, Cameron Flanagan, Jack England, Dan Williams, Gary Dykes, Ben Cann, Matt Treacy, Shaun Underdown (Captain), Jake Cornwell, Bruce McGrogan, Jack Williams, Alex Burrage and Mike Eaves
